HEAVY CASUALTIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21560, 24 January 1940, Page 7

HEAVY CASUALTIES

Five Russian Attacks Repulsed Invaders Falling Back United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright HELSINKI, January 22. A communique states that the Russians near Kitela lost 123 men. We repulsed attacks at Loimola on the Lake Ladoga front killing 450 besides gaining successes farther north from Lake Ladoga. A Russian communique announced small skirmishes on all fronts and artillery activity. To-night’s Finnish communique states that 1000 Russians have been killed, and five Russian attacks repulsed on different fronts. Two attacks were launched north-east of Lake Ladoga, and in one of these the Russians lost 450 men and five tanks. The Russians are reported to be moving back heavy material and men in one sector, and it is thought that this may indicate a general falling back to stronger positions on the frontier. The Finns admit that the Russian patrols on one front are particularly active and proving troublesome. Relentless Bombing During the past week 6667 bombs have been dropped in Finland by Russian aeroplanes, according to an announcement issued by the A.R.P. authorities at Helsinki. As a result of these attacks 18 civilians have been killed and 109 wounded. Th"' small number of casualties is due to the fact that civilians are becoming more skilled in taking shelter. Few of the places bombed have been military

objectives, and it appears, adds the statement, that the bombs have been dropped at random in many cases. The most aeroplanes over Finland in one day during the week was 450. For every Finnish civilian killed the Russians lost two bombers and six airmen. It is clear that the Russians are attempting to break down the morale and weaken the resistance of the Finns. The recent improvement which has been noticed in the standard of performances of the Russian air attacks suggests that Nazi airmen are now helping the Russians. The Canadian Government voted a credit of 100,000 dollars to enable Finland to purchase Canadian foodstuffs.