GRINDING AWAY

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 174, 20 April 1942, Page 6

GRINDING AWAY

Russians Retain The Initiative GERMAN DEFENCES BATTERED i British Official Wireless.) ( Received April 19, 8 p.m.) RUGBY. April 18. The present operations on the Russian front arc described in a Kuibyshev message as a sustained battering of the enemy defences by the Red Army, with the Germans vainly trying to stem the avalanche by throwing in reserves. ' The Eighth German artillery regiment, lighting as intantry, lost 360 men out of 400 in the past three, days’ lighting. Messages from Kuibyshev say that the Red Army smashed enemy defences on the Karelian front, penetrating several miles and capturing a number of settlements. ' The Red Army has continued to advance, despite fierce and frequent counter-attacks.

Five German generals are among the 11.000 soldiers killed by Russian guerrillas in the Smolensk region in the past nine months, states the Moscow radio. These guerrillas, cooperating wth the Red Army, hate ’.berated, completely or partially. 20 districts. . .

A supplement to this morning's Russian communique, which merely states that no substantial change occurred on the front during the night, says that in one sector of the Kalinin front during a single day, Russians destroyed 35 blockhouses and dugouts and a great, number of enemy weapons. In the rear of the enemy two ammunition dumps were blown up. 'The enemy lost, in killed 700 officers and men. A Moscow message states that Russian fighters shot down seven bombers and eight fighters who were attempting to raid Murmansk and damaged 12 other planes. The 8.8. C. European service announced that General von Leeb has been relieved of his command on the Leningrad front. His successor, Marshal von Kuccliler, was formerly commander of the 18th German army. Moscow radio reported yesterday that the Russians are capturing one fortress after another in the Demidov sector, IS miles north-west of Smolensk. Three German divisions were beaten back with heavy losses in these operations.

(Received April 19, 19 p.m.) LONDON, April 10. German Planes Destroyed. Guerrillas on the Leningrad front reported a concentration of .German planes at a German aerodrome, says Moscow radio. After Russian reconnaissance planes had confirmed that 40 bombers and several fighters were on the runway. Russian planes attacked suddenly and destroyed 12 and damaged 10 German planes. Two Messerschmitts took off in an attempt to stem the attack, but both were shot down. 'l'he Russians imprisoned the German pilot Wegner, who is reputed to be responsible for the bombing of Buckingham Palace. The Norwegian Telegraph Agency says that 70 Russian bombers heavily attacked the German garrison at Yardo, killing at least 200. Kuibyshev reports say that the Russians deeply penetrated the enemy lines in the Karelian isthmus and killed more than 1000 Germans.

GERMAN COMPLAINT

“General Mud” In Control In Russia LONDON, April 17. Gorman military authorities complain specially of the .■.itlicuit ground conditions which continue ou the Eastern Front, says tlie Stockholm correspondent of "Tlie Time- ” The German nntio stated: ’“General Mud’ is in control, and the Germans have to fight in a sea of mire, with drenched uniforms.” Russian cavalry, co-operating witli guerrillas, are contriving to keep tlie whole German line on the lion. Severe fighting at several points between Lake Ilmen and Leningrad Is certainly occurring this week, pro! a lily a, a result of tlie arrival of crack Waffen SS formations to relieve the pn i.a troops who were deposited there in February in order to save Hie jiosition when the German are against Leningrad seemed to be cracking as a result of the Russian blows. The pa rat •.•cops prevented an incipient crack below Schlusselburg in February and Mari'ti. but have lost heavily. Now Hie Waifcn appears to be emulating tlie paratroops, Hying to regain a local initiative. It is estimated that the Waffen .'asses hi the first half of the week were lIH'C a day. Berlin radio admits that tlie Germans on file southern trout have been pressed bark and for •ed to abandon several • villages after tierce tia.vone: lighting. The losses have beer, heavy nil both sides. Many Russian and German planes were thrown in tn an attempt to seize air siiperiority. '1 lie radio added that Hie Russians used British and American planes, which performed well. Tlie "Red Star” say- that guerrillas have increased their activity on tlie Briansk from and con.pelted Hie Germans to double their m'.'.rols o’) every mile of railway track.

According to a repot t from Helsinki tlie Russians are altaeking heavily across tlie Svir River uitli the object of establishing. liefor-.' Hie i< •- melts, a strong position ou which to base a future offensive. The Finns admit Hmt a Soviet detachment suer ceded in penetrating their positions. The Kuibyshev eorr; spoiiden'. of tlie "Evening Standard” stt.vs Hui’ Itl.Otlti Italians have been kiln d on the. Russian from.

Under a decree, srhoo' children amt all a vailaiile able-bodied mil its- in Russia are being tmmi'ized for farm work. Coltei-tive and Stale fanners must step up prodiie: ; on. anti those who do not fulfil tlie new minimum will forfeit Hieir land.