FINNS STAND FIRM

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21038, 14 February 1940, Page 7

FINNS STAND FIRM

HEAVY SOVIET LOSSES INACCURACY OF ARTILLERY PLANES SHOT DOWN (UDlted Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) N HELSINKI, February 12 The defenders of the Mannerheim Line are withstanding a bombardment unprecedented since 1915. The Russians brought' up eightinch and twelve-inch guns to augment the trench mortars, three-inch and six-inch guns, and are pounding the Summa sector. Soviet divisions aggregating 50,000 men, with machine-guns behind them precluding retreat, were thrown against an eight-mile front. They were stiffened by 72 triple-turret tanks, some of which have fallen into Finnish hands.

The inaccuracy of the Russian fire is illustrated by a Finnish regiment withstanding four attacks with artillery preparation, but losing only eleven dead and fourteen wounded.

The Russian attempt to turn the line at Taipale has been ineffectual. The Bjorko forts frustrated a Russian landing on the Gulf of Finland. A Finnish communique says tanks support the indeierminate Russian attack north-east of Wiipuri. The enemy lost over 1000 men and 72 tanks, 380 being killed at Aittojoki and 700 at Kuhmo. The Finns shot down six planes. A Russian communique claims the capture of sixteen strong points, which the Finns deny. Seven hundred foreign planes are reported to be reinforcing the Finns.