SUCCESS OF FINNS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21037, 13 February 1940, Page 5

SUCCESS OF FINNS

MANNERHEIM LINE RETAINED RUSSIANS THROWN BACK INVADERS’ HEAVY LOSSES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) HELSINKI, February 11 The Finns retain the entire Mannerheim Line despite continued pressure on the Summa front of the Russian mechanised columns and flame-throwing tanks and the concentration of aeroplanes and artillery. There have been four successive infantry attacks, the strength of which, however, is slackening. A Finnish communique states that the principal Russian objectives are still Summa and Taipale. It adds that five tanks and a column of 70 horse-drawn sledges were destroyed north of Lake Ladoga. The Finnish forces at Aittojoki threw back the Russians to their former positions. Russian bombers, two of which were shot down, killed or wounded several civilians. The disposal of the Russian dead presents a problem. The Russians have thrown some bodies into ice holes in the Isthmian Lakes, but thousands who fell in December have not been buried. The Finns are interring some despite the frozen ground, but the unburied bodies will be a menace in the spring. The rates of pay of the Finnish Army have been increased. A Moscow communique states that ther* is nothing to report.