NEW RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24027, 16 August 1943, Page 5

NEW RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE

Advances South Of Vyazma RESISTANCE STIFFENS AT KHARKOV (NJS. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, August 11. The Russians are exploiting the break-through they have made in their new offensive in the Spasdemensk area (midway between Vyazma and Bryansk and about 100 miles south-east of Smolensk). They are making steady progress along the rail* way, and the latest reports indicate that the attack has lost little of its initial momentum. The offensive was mentioned by the Russians for the first time on Friday, when the Soviet High Command said that an advance of 12 miles had been made on a 21-mile front north* west of Spasdemensk, and an advance of 10 miles on a 10-mile front south-east of Spasdemensk. Yesterday’s Soviet communique spoke' of further gains of four to five miles. Soviet forces attacking in the Bryansk direction continue te gain ground. In spite of enemy counter-attacks they have pushed on about five miles. Resistance round Kharkov is stiffening. The Germans are stubbornly fighting back against the Soviet columns closing m on the city, but all their counter-attacks have been thrown back.

The latest Russian communique says; “Soviet troops in the area of Spasdemensk to-day (Saturday) advanced four to five miles and occupied more than 20 localities. “In the Bryansk direction Soviet troops, overcoming resistance and counter-attacks by tanks and infantry, continued their offensive and occupied several localities. "On other sectors the day was marked by patrol activity and artillery and mortar fire exchanges. “Yesterday, on all fronts, Soviet troops destroyed or disabled 69 tanks. In aerial engagements and by anti-air-craft gunfire 44 German aeroplanes were shot down.” The Soviet communique (issued on Friday) announcing the Spasdemensk offensive, said: “The Russians northwest and south-east of Spasdemensk recently went over to the offensive. The Russians advancing from the area north-west of Spasdemensk penetrated strongly fortified enemy defences over a 21-mile front and advanced 12 miles to the south. The Russians advancing from the area south-east of Spasdemensk over a 10-mile front advanced 10 miles to the north-west. In three days of stiff fighting over 100 inhabited localities have been occupied, including Spasdemensk and the railway station of Zanozanya.” The Moscow correspondent of the British United Press says that the fall of Karachev, the last major outpost east of Bryansk, is Believed imminent. A ring of fires from dozens of captured satellite villages marks the progress of the Russians, who are swiftly closing in on this tough strongpoint of German resistance. Large numbers of German troops at Bryansk, which is also threatened from the north and south, are facing danger of encirclement. Russian artillery on the Bryansk front is attacking on an unprecedented scale. Thousands of Russian and German fighters and literally tens of thousands of guns and great num-

bers of tanks are being thrown in tits battle as it develops in intensity. TTtfe Germans have concentrated crack troops on this vital front Major-General Peter Sabepnikov, who was the first Russian general to enter Orel, said that the Germanp were now expected to make a stand at Karachev and also along the Dean and Dnieper rivers. Karachev is a key to Bryansk. The Russians are . enveloping Karachev from the south, but the country it swampy, and the Germans have d strong screen of fire. General Sabennikov said that the capture of Orel was costly. Losses on both sides were very heavy. The density of the Russian artillery fire when the Russians broke through tits Oral line was The fire covered every square yard to a depth of four to five miles along a front which sometimes was more than 30 miles. As the main body of the German garrison pulls out of Kharkov south* westward through the rapidly ngr* rowing escape gap. observers believe the fate of the city is sealed. Reuter’s Stockholm correspondent says that the German rearguards are putting up a desperate resistance in the smoking ruins of factories and giant blocks of workers' fists aitnl Russians slowly but surely battle their way 'through 1 Kharkov’s suburb! towardr the centre of the city.

RUSSIA AND THE QUEBEC TALKS War And Peace Aims MR EDEN MAY GO TO MOSCOW (Rec. 9.50 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 15. ‘‘The British Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) is expected to visit Quebec or Washington to learn of the decisions reached by Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt on Russian problems, before journeying to Moscow for conferences with the Soviet leaders,” says the Washington correspondent of the ' ‘‘New York Times.” “The purpose of Mr Eden's trip to Moscow is believed to be to achieve a closer understanding of war strategy and peace aims, and help bridge the gap caused by Mr Stalin’s absence from Quebec. An authoritative source has disclosed that Mr Sumner Welles • (the United States Assistant Secretary of State) may fly with Mr Eden to Moscow.” The Quebec correspondent of the United Press says:.“ The arrival of high American officers on Friday is taken as proof that Mr Roosevelt and Mr Churchill are following soon, and momentous decisions, probably including an early date for the Allied invasion of western Europe, are scheduled for the next - few days. Mr Roosevelt and Mr Churchill have already held a preliminary meeting somewhere in the United States.” The United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) told a press conference in Washington that Mr Stalin would be kept informed of the discussions between Mr Roosevelt and Mr Churchill. When asked about the Moscow statement that Mr Stalin had not been invited to the conference, Mr Hull replied that he had not checked closely on that, as Mr Ro9sevelt personally attended to such matters. Johannes* Steel, writing in the “New York Post,” says that it would be extremely foolish to deny that relations between the English-speaking allies and Russia are in a critical state. London Comment “The’ statement by the Moscow radio that the Russians did not receive an invitation to the Quebec conference is regarded in London as a timely effort to clear up a misunderstanding." says the diplomatic correspondent of the Press Association. “Moscow knew that the conference was being held, and had Mr Stalin indicated his desire to attend or to be represented he would have been cordially welcomed by Mr Churchill and President Roosevelt. Mr Stalin, however, as commander-in-chief of the Red Army, is fully occupied in directing military operations and his absence from Russia would have presented many difficulties.” ’The “Evening News” says that the present ambiguity about the Quebec Conference cannot be left as it is. One version of the Moscow announcement States that representation of the Soviet Government was “neither suggested nor fitting.” The “Evening News” adds; “Whatever interpretation may be put on the announcement, it is obvious that the position is both obscure and unsatisfactory—the sort of position that delights mischief makers.”

N.Z. AIRMEN IN . ENGLAND PERSONNEL RECEPTION CENTRE (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 10 p.m) LONDON. Aug. U. Members of the Boyal New Zealand Air Foree arriving in England from New Zealand and Canada spend an average of five weeks at a personnel reception cehtre. It is a centre for both New Zealanders and Australians who continue their training and art formed up into crews preparatory to proceeding to operational training units. Squadron Leader H. S. Hannah, of Wellington, who is a nephew of Richard John Seddon, and who want to Wellington College with LieutenantGeneral Sir Bernard Freyberg, is tht commanding officer of the New Zealand section. He has served in Franc# and Norway in this war, and also on several operational bombing stations. While waiting the New Zealanders take •courses, including signals, armament, aircraft recognition, Link trainer, and also lectures on security, Those who are not formed up into- crews ia Canada are crewed up and* recommended to fly various types of aircraft. Flying Officer R. A. Colville, of Christchurch, interviews the pilots and Flying Officer E. Redihaw, of Auckland, is in charge of the observers, A hotel has been commandeered tot the centre, and there are many opportunities for recreation and sport. Last winter the New Zealanders maintained an unbeaten Rugby team. Tht New Zealand High Commissioner (Mf W. J. Jordan) frequently visits, the centre to welcome the latest arrival# and to tell them something of the lift which lies before them. The latest draft was welcomed on August IS. WEST AFRICA’S PART GREAT STRATEGIC HIGHWAY LONDON, Aug. 13. The story of how West Africa became a great strategic highway Wd the starting point in the trans-Africa air route, was told in London to-day by the Resident Minister in the territory (Lord Swinton). He sgid that everything done had to be improvised because all assumptions made at tht start of the war had been falsified by events such as the fall of Franet and the Japanese invasion of Malay#, with the loss of rubber, oil and minerals. Lord Swinton said that in Nigeria alone Britain had built 30 airfields* complete with control buildings, hangars, and all the essential equipment. A great job had been done by the Public Works Department m Nigeria, which employed tens of thousands of native workers. The Navy had also done an immense job in organising the protection of shipping on the long sea route via South Africa to the East, but this had beta greatly eased by the achievement Of French unity and the co-operation of the French Fleet at Dakar. On the Army side, an enormous expansion of native regiments had been carried out. West Africa’s war effort had meant a vast amount of constructional work in building eampt. port development, railway extensions, and new roads. Freighter Crew Eeacned.—The- Por- ; tuguese ship Inhambine picked up 46 survivors of the torpedoed British , freighter Harmonic, who had spent a : week in a lifeboat. All were in an exhausted condition. Their hnly ra- ; tions were a few biscuits. AU CJfeept l one of the crew were rescued. —Lon'don, August 13,