IMPORTANT GAINS TO FINNS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 44, 22 February 1940, Page 5

IMPORTANT GAINS TO FINNS

SEVERAL RUSSIAN DIVISIONS IN TROUBLE HAMMER BLOWS AGAINST RED ARMY (By T«lejrraph—Press Association —Copyright! illavenlry Broadcast). LONDON, Ecb. 2k In Finland another Russian Division is reported to-day to be in serious difficulties. This is the 164th, near Kitela, in the sector north-east of Lake Ladoga. According- to Reuters' correspondent in Stockholm, the destruction of the 18th Division, reported in last night's Finnish communique, means that the Finns can concentrate on mopping- up the 164th, which, for some time now, has been surrounded and held in check. I'hc .Finnish commun'Kjiie claimed last, night that IS.iiuo Russians of the LSth Division were either killed or captured, and that the division’s entire war material, including 20 tanks and 70 gnus, had fallen into their hands. I his victory is the result of operations extending over m:mv weeks, ami its importance lies in the fact that ii less.-ns the danger of attack on the Mannerheim Line from the i-.-ar. I'he Finnish forces on the Lake Ladoga frontier at-.- tun-, being- directed by l-'ield-Marsiial Mannerheim himself. - iiotli.-i- Russian division, tit.- 54th, is reported to have been cut oil. from its base in the waistline sector, and h.-av \ lighting has beefl going- on near Kummo. Russian aircraft yesterday again I><>ml><-<] l-'iiinish tonus as veil as military objectives. The port of Aim had eiclit rtti.lduring lite day. but lite casualties are believed to be sli-ltt. and no deal hs a re iTporl ed.