LOCAL ACTIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 163, 23 April 1942, Page 3

LOCAL ACTIONS.

BITTER ON RUSSIAN FRONT. NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES LONDON, April 22. The latest Russian communique says that no significant, changes have taken place on the Eastern Front. The fighting still appears to be restricted to bitterly-contested local actions. , A message from Kuibishev states that Soviet cavalry, taking advantage of the improved weather, is again undertaking large-scale operations to strike at the enemy in the rear. Operating deep behind the German lines on the Kalinin front, a detachment gained control of an important highway for a brief period. It killed some thousands of Germans, destroyed supply lanes, captured arms and provisions, and prevented German reserves from reaching the front. The “Red Star,” describing the action, says: “Horsemen lured considerable enemy forces of infantry, artillery, tanks, and aircraft from the front line and then disappeared into a forest. The cavalry made a reappearance from an unexpected direction to necessitate the diversion of yet another concentration of enemy troops.” Soviet aeroplanes shot down 31 German machines for the loss of 11 on Monday. The Leningrad radio reports that in low-level attacks on a German aerodrome Stormoviks destroyed 15 bombers on the ground and shot down two lighters. The latest Russian communique gives details of German and Russian losses in the air. It says that between March 22 and April 18, the Luftwaffe lost 891 aeroplanes and the- Soviet Air Force 239 aeroplanes. A message from Kuibishev speaks of indications that the Russians are massing reinforcements, and the “Red Star” says the roads are crowded with marching men. The Russian push against the Finnish defences north of the Karelian Isthmus is reported to be making some progress. It is reported from Kuibishev that the Russians have had successes in three sectors and at one point have advanced six miles.