SOVIET PRESSURE MAINTAINED

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23587, 14 March 1942, Page 7

SOVIET PRESSURE MAINTAINED

Progress Near Leningrad HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES (Received March 13, 11 p.m.) 1 U.P.A.) LONDON, March 13. The Russian bulge to the west, between Leningrad and Lake Ilmen; appears to be deeper than earlier information suggested, and a large scale Russian push from the Chudoyo region 75 miles south-east of Leningrad is now enabling further progress in spite of German reinforcements, saya the Stockholm correspondent of “The Times.” The Germans still hold Novgorod, but the position is becoming precarious. The Russians threaten to oy-pass the town and encircle it. The Moscow correspondent of “The Times” says that there is no indication where the Russian thrust to reach Leningrad is aimed, but its vigour is indicated by the size of the German losses, which number thousands a day. The losses of the German 16th Army at Staraya Russa have also run into thousands in the last few days, and the beleaguered Germans are drawing into the centre of the ring. Latest reports from the Leningrad front say that more than 1000 German officers and men have been killed, and the Russians have destroyed seven pill- ’ boxes and four machine-gun nests. The Strauss line, which the Russians have broken through, follows roughly the cest of the watershed running from Rzhev to Yartsevo, 125 miles south-east, says the Stockholm correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” Russian artillery pounded the line and then tank forces pierced it and advanced to Nikitinka, which is one of the key points of the German second defence line. . . , These and other spectacular events ' on the northern and central fronts tend to overshadow the Russian push in the south. Marshal Timoshenko’s great new offensive is gathering momentum south of Kharkov and in the Taganrog and Stalin regions. x , _ There are indications that his offensive is the most vigorous ever designed. It is aimed at freeing the Caucasus from the menace of a lightning capture . if and when the German offensive develops. The Kharkov and Orel i garrisons continue their desperate resistance, in spite of the virtual Russian encirclement. ' Moscow radio reports that the Russians at several places on the southern front have broken through the strongly-held German lines. The Germans rushed up reserves, but failed to dislodge the Russians in a two-day counter-attack. , „ . _ . The Berlin radio stated that the Russians are making mass tank and infantry attacks north-east of Orel. * Berlin radio has announced a terrific Russian offensive east of Taganrog. It added that the Russian advance was strongly supported by tanks and artillery. Gains in Crimea The destruction of German strong points and heights round Sebastonol continues, and the Russians are also making progress at the other end of the Crimean peninsula. , The Berlin radio describes fierce Russian attacks in the eastern Crimea and at Sebastopol, which were preceded by a heavy artillery barrage. One attack on Sebastopol was on a mile front with the support of numerous , Russian aeroplanes and gunfire from a destroyer. The radio admitted that the Germans were on the defensive. Russian troops have recaptured two more places on the central front This is announced, in the Soviet midday. communique, which adds that offensive operations against the enemy were continued throughout the night. Fierce fighting for a key road on the central front is also reported. The Russians say that counter-attacks cost the Germans three battalions of infantry. Three out of six German :aeroplanes which attempted to support the Germans were shot down. The Russians are 10 miles nearer Vyazma, the pincers on Smolensk are tightening, and Rhzev is isolated miles behind-. the Russian front. . . “Pravda”-reports that in a surprise raid on a German aerodrome on a frozen lake.,, eight German aircraft were destroyed. At another German airfield, three German fighters were destroyed and four were badly damaged and buildings were demolished. Agency reports state that the Rumanian military staff officers, under General Antonescu have disbanded and returned to Bucharest. It is believed that this action has been taken because of Himmler’s determination to abolish the independence of armies serving with the Nazi forces. . In the northern sector the Finns speak of more Russian attacks and the Finnish Government has taken steps to evacuate 10,000 Finnish children to Sweden. RUSSIAN AVIATION CHIEF DEAD KILLED IN AEROPLANE ACCIDENT (Received March 13, 7 p.m.) LONDON. March 12. The Moscow radio has announced the death of M. Kartushev, Assistant Chief of Civil Aviation, in an aeroplane accident. M. Kartushev concentrated on adapting civil aviation to defence, for which he was awarded the order of the Red Banner.

CANADIAN EXPORTS TO RUSSIA VALUE IN FEBRUARY WAS 4,000,000 DOLLARS (Received March 13, 9 p.m.) OTTAWA, March 12. The Canadian Minister for Trad# (Mr J. A. Mackinnon) announced that Canadian exports to Russia in February, 1942, were valued at 4,000,000 dollars compared with 2,700,000 dollars iri January. He added that this signified that Canadian weapons were playing an increasing part in the battle of Russia. SPIRIT OF GREEK i PEOPLE CONTRIBUTION TO WAR EFFORT (8.0. W.) RUGBY, March 12. The Lord Chancellor (Lord Simon) paid a warm tribute to the unquenchable spirit of the Greek people at the opening of the Greek Maritime Court!. “The establishment of this Court, said Lord Simon, “means that the King of the Hellenes and the Greek Government now in this country arc making yet more effective their aid in the world-wide struggle for freedom.” AJmost the whole Greek mercantile marine, he added, had escaped the clutches of the Axis. It would be difficult to measure the importance of the Greek contribution to the war effort CANADIAN WAR LOAN (Received March 13, 7 p.m.) OTTAWA, March 12. The latest figures for Canada’s seeond victory loan show that cash subscriptions totalled 827,000,000 dollar! and conversions 152,000.000 dollars. The Prime Minister of Canada (Mr W. L. Mackenzie King), in a broadcast address, said that the Axis was staking everything on 1542. Therefore Canada would speed up the sending' of soldiers, tanks, aeroplanes, munitions and food to the Allied.