GERMAN DENIALS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 229, 8 July 1943, Page 3

GERMAN DENIALS.

NOT A MAJOR OFFENSIVE. REASON FOR THE ATTACK. (Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.). (Rec. 10,20 a.m.) LONDON, July 7. Considerable interest is taken in the renewed fighting on tlie Russian frontand there is much speculation. Both Berlin and Rome broadcast denials that the Germans were engaged in a major offensive, and the question is being asked: Why then is Germany attacking ? One- view is that Hitler must attack as it is his one remaining chance of winning the war. That he delayed the attack was not because ho wanted to, but because much reorganisation was required after the Russians’ winter drive, because the Italian, Hungarian and Rumanian troops which held 70 per cent, of the front where the attack is now occurring were driven from the battlefield and had not returned and had to he replaced with Germans, and because the Royal Air Force bombing of the Ruhr interrupted the flow of munitions.

Tt is suggested that the coming week ■will tell whether this is jl major offensive- or a limited one with the objective of straightening the Orel-Ti.velgo-rod salient and establishing a ''‘holding offensive” to anticipate any Russian designs for an offensive timed to coincide with a major Allied invasion attempt. Another view is that Hitler had to take the initiative, which was necessarily limited, for the Axis has not the forces for the unlimited and vastly ambitious enveloping movements of the last two years.

The opinion is expressed that the governing factor is the German lack of air power, without which no mechanised army can achieve decisive results. It is reported that German air support in the present offensive seems to have been on a comparatively small scale.