760d.61/888: Telegram
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:43 p.m.]
488. The Prime Minister informed me this evening that the Finnish forces had had a great success yesterday at Suomussalmi where they had annihilated an entire Russian division and captured large amounts of war material although another Russian division stationed to the eastward had rendered no help to its comrades notwithstanding appeals of the latter. A similar success was indicated further north at Salla. North of Ladoga a large Russian force estimated at three divisions was surrounded and in danger of crushing defeat except for limited numbers of Finns. On the Karelian Isthmus where large concentrations of Russians were massing the principal anxiety of the Finnish high command was the long range heavy guns of the Russians but Swedish guns of 150 millimeters caliber had been received and more were expected by the Finns. In strict confidence Mr. Ryti told [Page 1038] me that a reserve of two divisions had not yet been used by the Finnish Army. The Minister said that fighting among the Russians themselves had taken place at various points including the Karelian Isthmus.
With reference to your 218, December 29,32 I conveyed to Mr. Ryti the first information he had received regarding release of 44 planes to the Finnish purchasing mission in the United States as well as the action of our Government in putting at the disposal of manufacturers plans and specifications of equipment used by our army. He expressed deep appreciation.
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