RUSSIANS ROUTED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21573, 8 February 1940, Page 7

RUSSIANS ROUTED

Finns Claim Big Victory

Thousands Killed

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

HELSINKI, February 5.

Victory has again crowned Finland’s banners with the rout of the Russian 18th Division near Kltela, near the north-east shore of Lake Ladoga. The 18th Division has ceased to exist as a division. Between 15,000 and 20,000 were killed, died of cold and hunger, or were taken prisoner.

The defeat was attributable to Finnish patrols, which worked round the division and closed in through the snow-clad forests round Pitkaranta. The Russians attempted to retreat along the lakeside road, but the Mantisinaarl batteries plastered them with shells, while larger bodies of Finns armed with machine-guns aided in the disintegration of the fugitives and of other units advancing to the rescue in response to wireless appeals. The majority of the 285 tanks attached to the 13th Russian Army were destroyed. Ski patrols surprised the entire Russian staff retreating towards Ounas down a snow track through the pine forests. Marksmen picked their targets, and cars smashed into trees as their drivers slumped dead over the steeringwheels. Machine-guns killed those escaping from the wreckage. Patrols secured vital papers. Soviet Stronghold Taken A Finnish communique claims the capture of a stronghold north-east of Lake Ladoga, the slaughter of five hundred defenders, and the acquisition of much war material. The Russians are now 28 miles from Wlipuri, a slight success as a result of repeated attacks preventing the Finns laying down mines between assaults. Tire total losses of the Russians in four days are estimated at 7000 killed and many wounded. The Finnish losses were heavy. The Finns have captured several 15-centimetre howitzers which they are effectively using to the Muolaa sector.

Nine Soviet bombers have been shot down, and four more are believed to be accounted for. Air raids continue in the south, where numerous towns have been heavily bombed. The Russians appear to be making special targets of hospitals and churches, but the populations in most towns have now been eyacuated.