Finnish troops in southern Karelia laünched a counter-attack yesterday and halted the Russian advance, a Finnish communique announced last night. Several Soviet tanks were captured north of Ladoga, the communique said. The Russians were checked by heavy fighting after the Finnish evacuation of five villages. Finns went into outpost fortifications, but they were still at least 15 or 20 jometres in. front of the Manner-helm Line, the Finnish defensive wall, The newspaper "Sanomat" said the Russians attempted to land a company of soldiers near Viborg last night but Finnish snipers killed them before they could land.
The communique said the northern port of Petsamo was still held by Finnish troops despite very heavy pressure from the Red Army. The communique alleged that Russian officers had drawn their pistols and killed two Soviet soldiers when the soldiers refused te fight at Petsamo.
Red planes attacked Torneaa in northern Finland; the communique (Continued on page 8, col. 4)
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.