RUSSIAN ASSAULT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25561, 14 June 1944, Page 5

RUSSIAN ASSAULT

KARELIAN ISTHMUS COMBINED OPERATION _ LONDON, June 12. The Russian assault against the Karelian Isthmus defences, in which Stormoviks and the Baltic fleet batteries joined in the terrific barrage laid down by massed artillery, is a combined operation comparable with the Allied attack against the West Wall, says Reuter's Moscow correspondent. The Russians, after the initial breakthrough at the western end of the Karelian wall, are now pushing two spearheads up the isthmus. One is driving in a north-west direction for Yiipuri, and the other is striking east in a bid to catch the remaining Finnish defence in the rear.

The Helsinki correspondent of the Stockholm Aftonbladet says the Finns 'have suffered a crushing defeat in the first phase of the Russian offensive, even though the breaches are small. The Russian planes are attacking incessantly in formation, and they are using tneir newest and best planes. Their artillery barrage is so powerful that it can be heard 150 miles from the front line. A Finnish communique states that particularly heavy fighting raged tlaoughout the day and night on the western part of the Karelian Isthmus. “We- repelled repeated attacks supporter by tanks against oUr fortified positions in the Vammelsuu sector.” Giving details of the offensive, a Soviet supplementary communique says that for over three hours Soviet artillery was wrecking numerous enemy defence fortifications, and the Soviet Air Force was dealing massed blows against enemy units. One Soviet formation reached and crossed the Sestra River, and by a violent outflanking blow occupied the river town and large railway junction of Terijoko. The enemy is sustaining heavy losses in man-power and material. In trenches, blockhouses, and pillboxes thousands of dead enemy troops were left. They were killed by the Soviet Air Force and artillery. Prisoners were taken and large booty captured. Naval units of the Soviet Baltic fleet, by their fire, are assisting the Soviet troops in the advance.

A front line despatch to Pravda reports that an avalanche of Soviet tanks, guns, and motorised infantry are sweeping back the Finnish troops. The Finns, given no time to blow up bridges, are trying vainly to organise resistance. Soviet tanks with tommygunners clinging to the hulls are racing thrdugh to drop diversionary parties in the Finns’ rear, while enemy blockhouses are being demoiished by pointblank fire.

The Moscow correspondent of the British United Press says: “ Infantry and tanks are pouring through widening gaps in a great drive for Viipuri, under 45 miles distant. The new drive is the first big offensive on the eastern front for nearly seven weeks.” A Moscow communique says: “Our troops in the Karelian Isthmus, north of Leningrad, to-day, overcoming enemy resistance and fortifications on woodcr* country intersected by lakes, continued their offensive and captured a number of strongpoints, including Kivinapa, 40 miles south-east of Viipuri, also Raivola and more than 30 other inhabited localities. There were nc material changes in other sectors. The capture of Raivola represents a Soviel advance of four miles beyond Terijoki.” f