GAINS IN SIX WEEKS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23401, 7 August 1941, Page 7

GAINS IN SIX WEEKS

RUSSIAN ASSESSMENT “THE WAR IS JUST BEGINNING ” (Received August 6, 11.40 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, August 6. ‘‘No matter what difficulties may be ahead, victory will be ours,” says the ‘‘Red Star,” the Russian Army’s newspaper, summing up the first six weeks of fighting. “Failing' to drive deep wedges into Soviet territory with armoured formations, the German High Command began to disperse its mechanised forces along the whole .tremendous front, turning them into support for attacks by general troops. Thus the Germans’ main force of infantx-y and artillery came into action with all the technique of modern warfare. “The Nazi infantry, who were accustomed to an uninterrupted advance after tanks had cleared the way, were now compelled to engage in violent fighting. Our infantry and tanks incessantly attacked motorised columns, inflicting tremendous losses in manpower and equipment. “Hitler, who has relied on his almighty tanks, Is already beginning to talk about rifles. “The conduct of a blitzkrieg does not require reserves, but the real war which the Nazis have encountered in Eastern Europe constantly demands fresh forces.

“No matter what army the Germans have, they are numerically unequal to the Red Ai’my, which is beating back the invader but is still strategically on the defensive.

“The Red Army troops are far from being complacent. They clearly realise that the enemy forces are great and that the war is just beginning.” M. Lozovsky, Vice-Chief of the Soviet' Information Bureau, speaking at a press conference in Moscow, said; “The disintegration of the German Army has begun. Its morale is broken. This is the surest sign that it is nearing ruin and rout.”

WAR MATERIALS FOR RUSSIA

SHIPMENTS FROM U.S. TO VLADIVOSTOK

SUGGESTED JAPANESE OPPOSITION

WASHINGTON, August 5. The United States Government’s plan to make shipping available for the transport of military supplies to Russia by way of Vladivostok has, it is considered, opened up another prospect of a conflict between Japan and the United States.

A report is circulating in Washington that Mr Roosevelt is likely soon to make a further pronouncement on the freedom' of the seas as a warning to Japan against possible interference with such supplies for Russia. . Japanese interference could be expected to carry American public opinion far beyond the point where it would hesitate on armed conflict with Japan, It is stated in London that a considerable amount of British goods is already on the way to Russia. In return Russian supplies will be made available to Britain.. , Russian orders for millions of tins of canned beef, absorbing between 20,000 and 30,000 tons of carcases, are expected by the meat industry authorities in Brisbane. A meat Industry official said that it was understood that Australia would share with_ other Empire countries in big Russian oroters for beef and lamb. “We expect the orders to be so heavy that the mekt producers will no longer have to think in terms of restricting production, rather will they have to consider increasing their output,” he said. The secretary of the Australian Russian Association (Mr E. Draftu) has received a cablegram from the Russian Ambassador in London (M. Maisky) stating that four more Russian ships are proceeding to Australia to load meat, wheat, and wool.

SOVIET ATTITUDE TO RELIGION

ASSURANCES SOUGHT BY CHURCHES

LONDON, August 5,

It is understood that the Russian Ambassador (M. Maisky) will make an important announcement soon regarding an extension of religious freedom in Russia, • . According to the “Daily Sketch ’ representatives of British religious bodies, including the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church, privately approached the Soviet Embassy seeking assurances on the Soviet’s attitude towards religion which would be needed before they were able wholeheartedly to support the Soviet alliance. . , „ M. Maisky# received the representations sympathetically and consulted Moscow. .. • The “Daily Express” reports that M. Maisky has been invited to join St. James Club, in Piccadilly, the world’s most famous diplomatic club.

JUGOSLAVIA AND RUSSIA

PACT OF FRIENDSHIP STILL VALID

(Received August 6, 9 p.m.) MOSCOW, August 5. The Vice-Chief of the Soviet Information Bureau (M. Lozovsky) said that the Russlan-Jugoslav pact of friendship, concluded before the collapse of Jugoslavia, is still valid. He added that Poland had appointed an ambassador in Moscow. His arrival was a technical, not a political question.

BRITAIN’S NEWEST BOMBS

FORMULA GIVEN TO RUSSIA LONDON, August 5. The “Daily Mail” says: “Britain’s latest bombs will soon be crashing down on Germany from Russian bombers because we, it is believed, have given the ’ formula to Russia. British and Russian scientists are now comparing notes.”

GERMAN AGENTS EXECUTED

LONDON, August 6. Two German secret service agents were executed at Wandsworth prison, London, to-day. One was aged .35 and the other 25. Four other persons, three of them aliens, have been sentenced to death in Britain for treason since the war began.

Hunt for Englishman.—French police are hunting John Hopper, an Englishman, who, in spite of a ban. drove up in a car and placed a wreath on the war memorial at Caen on Bastille Day. He shot his way through a police cordon. killing the assistant-chief , of police, who jumped on the running board of the car.—Vichy, August &