GERMAN CLAIMS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 253, 7 August 1941, Page 5

GERMAN CLAIMS

“UNCONDITIONAL TRUTH.” TRIPLE BREAK-THROUGH. VICTORY IN SMOLENSK AREA. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Roe. 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 6. The German High Compnand has issued a series of four special communiques describing the fighting since the outbreak of the Russian-German war, with a preface stating: “It is apparent from numerous reports that the Soviet High Command no longer possesses a reliable picture of the situation on its own front. Therefore we are sticking to the principle of unconditional truth. The greatest reticence is imposed, since it is imdesirable to give our opponent valuable clues. The German people’s justifiable desire for daily information, of the course of the operations had to wait. The Fatherland had even to tolerate the fact that wrong conceptions arose and that enemy countries disseminated misleading rumours. The time has now come to view fresh operations and to cast light on the course and results of the tremendous struggle which began with the break-through of the Stalin Line. Because of ground conditions and our own objectives it so happened that this break-through occurred at three points —south of the Pripet Marshes, south of Lake Peipus, and in the direction of Smolensk.”

The communique proceeds: “On the northern sector, after the defeat of the Soviet Army on the River Dvina and the freeing of Latvia, the German Army assaulted and broke through strong positions south of Lake Peipus. Ostrov, Proldiov and Polotsk fell after a short fight, opening tlie way for an attack on Leningrad. The left wing of our forces penetrated to Narva and blocked the land bridge -between Lake Peipus and the Gulf of Finland. “In the southern sector, the Germans pushed their advanced patrol to the gates of Kiev, enabling the turn southwards leading to the battle of encirclement, which is progressing. “A combined German and Rumanian army crossed the central Dniester and proceeded north-easterly to join forces from the north.

“In the central sector, the great Smolensk battles have now been victoriously, concluded. The extent and stubbornness of the fighting hero has given these operations a character unique in history. “Our successes far exceed the most optimistic expectations. The German Army and Air Force have shown almost superhuman bravery and endurance, facing .the toughest enemy yet met. Conscious of its superiority and certain of victory, the Gorman Army is ready for the next stage and is prepared to bring the war to a victorious conclusion.”

The communique claims that since the outbreak of war 895,000 Russians have been taken prisoner, and 13,145 armoured fighting vehicles, i 0,388 guns and 9082 planes captured or destroyed. Russian losses in .killed and wounded far exceed the number of prisoners.