NEW OFFENSIVE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 250, 4 August 1941, Page 5

NEW OFFENSIVE

GERMAN MOVE AGAINST KIEV. HEAVY RUSSIAN TANK ATTACK. RACE TO GET IN FIRST BLOW. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Roc. 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 3-

While Russian tank forces are heavily attacking in the Smolensk area in an attempt to smash Germany’s preparations for a third great offensive, the Germans opened a new offensive on Kiev, driving from the west and southwests' in a pincers move. The Nazis advanced 20 miles from the west but were held bv the defenders at Korostyshe, 65 miles from Kiev. Determined Russian resistance is also holding the second claw of tho pincers thrust at Byclayatearkov, 45 miles .southwest of Kiev.

Military experts in London are asking whether the Russian tank attacks in the central sector mark the start of a big Soviet counter-offensive. It is obvious that the Russian commanders are convinced that the greatest weight of German equipment' and man-power was used in the second offensive, and they have decided to throw in a heavy attack against the Germans in the Smolensk salient while the German tactics are changing for tho new offensive.

The “Sunday Express” states that Hitler has ordered that the German thrust must go forward before the Russian blow can be launched. It is a race between the Germans and the Russians to get in first: with the next big offensive, adds the newspaper. Mr J. L. Garvin, writing in the “Observer,” says: “After six weeks, the Russians are holding out in a way' thought unbelievable. Because of their brilliant originality of tactical resource, which has been perfectly adapted to the interminable space of their country, they have beaten the ‘blitzkrieg’ proper.”