SOVIET SUCCESS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 138, 7 March 1942, Page 7

SOVIET SUCCESS

Important Capture In Smolensk Area RAID ON MOSCOW LONDON, March 6. The Russians have recaptured another important town in the Smolensk sector. This is Yukhnov, which is about half-way between Kaluga and Viazma. The Germans, in their effort to hold the town, turned the whole neighbourhood into a strongly fortified zone. There were minefields everywhere and every village was made a fortress, the whole area being covered by cross-fire from the German artillery. Nevertheless, they were unable to stop the Red Army, which smashed the outer defences and then stormed the town itself. Another attempt by the encircled Germans at Staraya Russa to break through the Russian ring ended in the utter rout of the regiment concerned. The Soviet air force continues to take heavy toll of enemj’ planes in this area. Moscow has had its first air raid for

two months. Only negligible damage was done, though there were some casualties. More than 1000 German planes have now' been brought down at the approaches to Moscow. Moscow radio reports that a new invention which multiplies the striking power of artillery was tested on March 4, with “brilliant results.” It gave no details, but added that the inventor, a military engineer named Alexandrov, has been decorated with the Order of the Red Star. Stream of Nazi Troops.

The Berlin correspondent of the Stockholm newspaper “Svenska Dagbladet” reports that German troop trains filled with young recruits and new motorized units are streaming eastward daily. The main roads to Russia have been strengthened to withstand heavy motor vehicles. Thousands of stakes are ppread like a carpet to prevent motor vehicles becoming bogged when the snow melts. Dykes have been erected to collect flood water, bridges have been strengthened against floods by concrete pillars, and bridge-building material has been assembled on the banks of rivers to replace immediately bridges which may be washed away. There is news of fierce and prolonged battles in the Donetz area, where Hitler’s preparations for a spring drive through to the Caucasus are being considerably hampered!. Berlin describes the Russian attacks as heavy and unceasing.

A broadcast from the German lines tonight spoke of dreadful man-to-man battles in several sectors. It was admitted that Russian troops, supported by tanks and artillery, had broken through to a depth of several miles. Berlin also spoke of fierce. fighting in the Criema round Sebastopol. The position here is not clear, but it seems certain that the Russians are making formidable attacks on the German positions. It is reported that more than once the Russians broke through to the German rear.