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a footing on Uuras Island. Elsewhere the Russians have made little progress, although they have attacked several times in the Kamara and Taipale sectors. The fact that the Russians have maintained their pressure on the Finns, even in the sector where the latter have withdrawn to their second line of defence, is serious, as the Finns require time for rest and reorganisation. The Finnish third line of defence to the north-east of Viipuri will not be complete for two or three weeks, so the position may become critical. The situation may, however, be considerably relieved by the heavy snowfalls, which usually occur at the beginning of March.

On the fronts north of Lake Ladoga nothing of importance has occurred. The Finns have continued mopping up parts of the Russian divisions isolated in the Kitela and Kuhmoniemi areas; but, except in the extreme north, the very large Russian forces on these fronts have remained passive.

41. The Soviet Air Force has been supporting the attacks on the Isthmus in great force, but during the last few days bad weather seems to have limited their activities to reconnaissance. The Finnish Air Force has also been active and has bombed Soviet communications and depôts in the rear of the 7th Army. which is attacking the Mannerheim line. On the 21st February, the Finns shot down nineteen Soviet aircraft, of which eleven were fighters.

Up to the 31st January 207 districts in Finland had been subjected to 643 raids, 20,337 bombs dropped, 377 persons killed and 908 wounded.

Soviet aircraft losses.

42.

An analysis of the confirmed Soviet aircraft losses during the first six weeks of the war reveals that:

77 per cent. consisted of bombers (S.B. type);

15 per cent. of fighters (1.15 and 1.16 types); and

8 per cent. other types (TB. 3, R. 5 and 1 seaplane).

The Soviet have now lost over 500 aircraft in all, of which at least 140 were shot down during February.

Finnish aircraft losses.

43. These have been :-

Blenheim Mark IV (Bomber)

Fokker D. 21 (Fighter)

Fokker C. 10 (Recco)

25

Gladiators (Fighter)

2028

6

3

Swedish Volunteer Force.

Gladiators (Fighter)

Hawker Harts (Bomber)

Total

British aircraft supplied to Finland.

1

9

46

44. It is reported that all the British-made aircraft so far used have proved satisfactory. The Finnish supply and repair organisation for these aircraft is working effectively, but the Finns are hard pressed for fitters.

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