Evening star., 1940-01-05
Russians Digging
'MoIotoff Line as
Kare|ian Defense
Positions Are Reported
Established Opposite
Firms Front
By LELAND STOWE,


CHICAGO Daily News Foreign Correspondent
NORTH OF VIIPURI, on the
Karelian Isthmus, Jan. 4 (delayed)
(by radio) Red Army divisions
which were supposed to conquer
most of Finland before Christmas
now have been forced to construct
defensive positions-what might be
called the initial phases of a
"Molotoff line" According to sources
commanding great respect, the Rus
slams are digging in between the
Viipuri- Railroad and
Muolaa and between Muolaa and
Lake Suvanto. In other words, di-
rectly opposite the center Of the
Films Mannerheim line.
This new, almost startling, de-
velopment marks new phase in the
Russo-Finnish war. AS yet its full
meaning is not clear. The 7th Red
Army Corps on the Isthmus may be
constructing defensive Notifications
for the duration of the winter, or
they may be building strong lines
which would facilitate offensive else
where on still larger scale.
In any case, it is noteworthy that
the Soviet forces have been COM
PEELED to abandon purely offensive
tactics on the very front where
their heaviest and most relentless
drives have been launched repeat
edly for more than a month. 1t
may be equally important that the
Reds as yet are only barricading
themselves behind trenches, tank
traps and pillboxes in the heart of
the isthmus. Unless they proceed
to construct and extend this Mo-
lotof Line" all the way across 1t
will be impossible for them to hold
the center with reduced forces and
to concentrate much heavier troops
and materials for drives against
either of the western wings of the
Mannerheim Line.
Natural Position Strong.
On the eastern flank Lake Su-
vanto and the Taipale River consti-
tute a strong natural position for
the Firms. On the western side of
the Karelian Isthmus, the Soviets
have made the most progress, and
the terrain is less favorable for the
Firms. One wonders, therefore,
whether the Reds may be preparing
for an unprecedented drive directly
to Viipuri.
Meanwhile. Russian divisions on
the isthmus have considerably i'm
proved their fighting methods and
show recent signs of having learned
some elementary lessons from the
severe punishment which the Fin
nish troops inflicted on them the
first month of the war. 1t is now
possible to give more authentic in
format ton regarding the military
tactics employed by the Russians on
the isthmus and also regarding some
of the weapons they are using ex-
tensively.
Russian Attacks Better.
Russian infantry attacks, which
at first were in mass formation and
extremely amateurish. have greatly
improved in this sector. The ma
jority of the Soviet troops are still
badly trained but Red shock troops
are now mixed with them. AS yet
the shock troops are not numerous.
Consequently, these are shifted from
one sector to another and thrown
in as the spearhead for advance
wherever new attacks are launched.
The shock troops do not advance en-
masse like the inexperienced con-
scripts, but the Finnish soldiers say
that they have not shown any capa-
city for disciplined fire even though
they carry flrst-class rifles equipped
with telescope sights
Copyright, 1910, by Chicago Daily
News, Inc)