PLANS FOR GIGANTIC SUMMER OFFENSIVE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 38, 15 February 1943, Page 3

PLANS FOR GIGANTIC SUMMER OFFENSIVE

STALIN GIVES ORDERS

Stockholm Sources Report Staff Activity

N.Z.P.A. and British Wireless Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 14. Stockholm reports say Stalin has ordered that not a single German soldier must remain on Russian soil after this summer. The Russian general staff is preparing plans for a gigantic summer offensive which is due to start from four to six weeks after the winter campaign ends next month. A Moscow communique announces the capture of the town of Krasnysulin," 25 miles west of Shaktui, on the railway to Stalino. The fall of Voroshilovgrad and Krasnysulin enables a solid line of Russians to press against the Germans who are falling back to Stalino. The Russians can now be reinforced by big forces which have been released from the Rostov area. The general Russian plan in the Ukraine now appears to be developing on somewhat similar lines to that of the Stalingrad offensive. Two concentrated developing movements are seen. The first, of which the capture of Krasnormesk is the latest indication, is in the south in the direction of Mariupol, on the Sea of Azov coast. The second appears to be directed through Kharkov, south-west at least to the Durien River. This movement is only just beginning to appear. The fall of Kharkov, which may well be imminent, would be an event of first importance and would upset the whole German arrangements in this strategic area. Further south the Russians have made progress all along the line inside the Donetz bend. Whether the Germans in the bend will be able to get away remains to be seen.