GRIM WARNING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 80, 5 April 1943, Page 3

GRIM WARNING

FLAT-OUT HUN PUSH

Enormous Concentrations On

Russian Fronts

N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 11.30 a.m. LONDON, April 4. The warning that the Germans are soon likely to launch a flat-out attack against the Soviet is given by Mr. Alexander Werth, the Moscow correspondent of the Sunday Times. He is Russian born of a Russian father and a British mother. The World's Press News, in the most recent issue, says: "Mr. Werth is in close, confidential touch with Russian authorities. Messages from him carry particular weight," In his dispatch to the Sunday Times Mr. Werth says that there is an unmistakable feeling of tension in Moscow. There is a deep consciousness everywhere of big events in store. The Germans, he says, are making unceasing attempts to gain a foothold on the east side of the Donetz River, which is clearly a preliminary to much bigger operations planned probably for the very near future. German concentrations are already very heavy at Orel, and Briansk north and Byelgorod south of the Kursk salient. The German Command clearly considers the wiping out of the salient essential and are talking of doing "a Stalingrad" on the Russians at Kursk to ayenge Stalingrad. The Russians, therefore, are preparing for extremely heavy fighting.' The Germans are likely to concentrate everything for a big drive against Moscow. Enormous troop concentrations at Orel and Briansk may attempt to strike out in a direct line. The Russians are keyed up. "We are going to stick it, but it may well be a grimmer summer than last," is a remark frequently made by soldiers. No Illusions About Nazi Strength There are no illusions about German strength. It is also realised that the German total mobilisation will be a formidable factor in 1943. General Dietmar, German military spokesman, speaking on Berlin radio, says that surprises are in store for the Russians in a few months' time. M. Kalinin, President of the Supreme Council, however, in an article in all Russian newspapers, adopts a more optimistic note, he says that Hitler has twice been forced to admit that the German army was within a hairs-breadth oi catastrophe, firstly at Moscow, and then at Stalingrad. The German army will, for the third time, fall into a pit dug for itself. The lightning war planned by Germany has not succeeded. Hitler now hopes to win a war of attrition. Hitler expected that as a result of total mobilisation he would be able to rob the occupied countries and restore his shattered material resources. "Hitler is a gambler," states M. Kalinin. "Luck at first was on his side, but since his attack on Russia it has been failing him. Our task is to frustrate all Hitler's ventures." M. Kalinin, after stressing the responsibility of agricultural workers and the importance of cultivating every available scrap of land, said: "The enemy on our territory is greedily drinking our people's, blood. Only shells and bullets can close his .insatiable mouth."