Finns win biggest victory
Enemy division smashed, chased into Russia
1,000 prisoners, 43 tanks, 1,170 horses taken
From our special correspondent HELSINKI, Finland
News of a Finnish victory near Suomussalmi in Finland's 'waist-line' even greater than the one a fortnight ago in the same region, was released by the General Staff this afternoon. It was the smashing of the 44th Russian Division of between 15,000 and 18,000 men.
When the details became known, amazing scenes took place in Helsinki. Bells were rung, flags were hung out from every house and in the streets complete strangers embraced in their excitement. The battle was fought between Suomussalmi and Raate, a village on the Russo-Finnish border directly south of Suomussalmi. It culminated in the utter annihilation of the 44th Russian Division, which, as recently reported in The Daily Telegraph, was thrust forward by the Soviet Command to the support of the 163rd Division, defeated by the Finns under General Wallenus.
A special official Finnish communique issued here today, announcing the victory, stated:
Objective Achieved
"The principal objective in the fighting in the southern part of the Suomussalmi sector of the last few days has been the defeat of the 44th Division of the enemy, which was advancing from the direction of Raate towards Suomussalmi.
The objective has been achieved and the enemy's forces were in the main destroyed.
Up to the present over 1,000 prisoners have been taken and much booty. This includes: 102 field guns, 43 tanks, 10 armoured cars, 1 aeroplane, 20 tractors, 278 motor vehicles of various kinds including 10 anti-tank cars armed with four-barrelled anti-aircraft machine-guns, 1,170 horses, innumerable other weapons and 47 field kitchens.
Clearing up of the ground and assembly of the booty is proceeding.
Many thousands of Russians were left dead on the battlefield.
The remnants of the Russian army have been driven back across the Russian frontier. There, their condition is desperate, as the Finnish ski patrol severed some time ago the branch railway which ensured their communications with headquarters and with their supply lines.
A Finnish ski patrol which penetrated the Russian lines a few days ago found a detachment of 120 Russian soldiers frozen to death at their posts".
I learned from Finnish military quarters that the 44th Russian Division had received orders from headquarters to capture Suomussalmi at all costs.