NAZI ADMISSION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 138, 24 March 1942, Page 4

NAZI ADMISSION

MOST DIFFICULT TRIALS. NEW TROOPS SENT TO FRONT. GERMAN IN COMMAND OF FINNS. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Roc. 'll a.m.) LONDON, March 23. Spokesmen in Berlin imply that the Germans on the eastern front are now undergoing the most difficult trials of the whole winter, hecanso the Russians realise they arc the last, that can he launched before the thaw. The Stockholm correspondent of “The Times” says that Berlin admits that the front lino troops are wearied bv their hardships and must he replaced, and claims that fresh troops are already going to the front. Thus the whole front will soon he refreshed and Germany’s mighty war machine will irresistibly push forward as soon as the weather permits. Neutral observers question how the most advanced garrisons can be exchanged as many are admittedly isolated. They also point out that isolated groups were told last week that they must hold out until relieved by a general forward surge in the spring. Important light has been thrown on the German preparations north of Leningrad by an authoritative report from Berlin that fresh German forces are replacing the Finnish troops on sectors hitherto held bv the Finns alone, it is believed including the Karelian isthmus. , . . Another report states that Marshal Mannerheim no longer commands tho German units in Finland, which are now under an independent German supreme command.