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RUSSO-FINNISH HOSTILITIES.
44. The Russian offensive on the Karelian Isthmus has continued through- out the week with increased vigour. The greatest pressure has been in the Summa sector, where up to four divisions and 250 tanks are said to have been used in one attack; attacks in considerable force have also been made in the centre and in the east of the Isthmus. The latest reports put the total Russian strength on the Isthmus front at fourteen infantry divisions, with over a hundred medium and heavy batteries and a very large number of tanks.
It is very difficult to estimate what progress the Russians have made, as reports are vague and conflicting. A report, dated the 10th February, stated that the Russians had penetrated the Mannerheim Line at several points to a depth of 2 kilometres, and it seems almost certain that they have made some further progress. The Mannerheim defences have, however, a depth of about 18 kilometres in the more important sectors, and it is unlikely that the extent of the Russian advance is in itself of great importance. The most dangerous factors from the Finnish point of view are the exhaustion of their troops and the heavy expenditure of their limited stocks of ammunition. These difficulties are causing the Finnish General Staff grave anxiety.
The situation on other fronts has undergone no change, though reinforce- ments have reached the VIIIth Soviet Army, which is operating immediately north of Lake Ladoga. The 18th and 168th Red Divisions in the Kitela area and the 54th Division further north in the Kuhmoniemi area are all practically surrounded; but the Finns cannot afford the ammunition for an attack and have to wait until hunger and cold reduce the Russians to impotence. In the extreme north, operations are at a standstill owing to the snow, but the Russians are reported to have moved considerable additional forces to Petsamo by sea from Murmansk, and there is said to be great activity behind the lines.
45. All reports agree that the morale of the Finnish nation is remarkably high, and that they are prepared for any sacrifices to obtain a just peace. The civil population is becoming inured to air raids and pays little attention to them. Dislocation of transport and loss of time in the factories are much less serious than might be expected. Transport runs mainly at night, and except for passenger trains, is not very seriously delayed. Factories work by day and night; there is an efficient warning system which prevents all unnecessary loss of time. The morale of the troops remains excellent, though in some sectors they are very tired.
46.
The Soviet Air Force has been very active recently in attacks both on troops and on the civil population.
On one day 500 aircraft in groups of 10 to 25 bombed the Finnish main lines and immediate rear. Russian troops have been dropped by parachute but were either captured or shot.
47. The following details regarding casualties of Russian aircraft up to the 2nd February in the Russo-Finnish war have been received from an official
source:
121 shot down by Finnish fighter aircraft.
30 shot down by 76-mm. anti-aircraft guns. 33 shot down by 40-mm. anti-aircraft guns. 33 shot down by 20-mm. anti-aircraft guns.
21 shot down by infantry weapons.
28 shot down by 7.62 anti-aircraft machine guns.
28 made forced landings owing to engine failure or bad weather.
294
Finnish fighters have also shot down 2 Russian observation balloons.
48. It is reported that a third of the more modern aircraft, which until recently have been stationed in Estonia, have now been returned to Russia. These have been replaced by second-line aircraft, but the actual types are not known.
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