IN BLINDING SNOW

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 106, 31 October 1941, Page 5

IN BLINDING SNOW

PANZERS IN BLIZZARD

PACE REDUCED TO A CRAWL

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.)

LONDON, October 30.

The Stockholm correspondent of the "Daily Express" says that blinding snow in easterly gales across the Moscow front has slowed down the panzer forces to a crawl. The drivers, trying to push straight into the blizzard/ have found the visibility reduced to a few yards. The temperature is as low as 27 degrees. The infantry, who have been promised winter quarters in Moscow if they win the "final battle," are now floundering deep in snowdrifts. The correspondent adds that the Russian counter-attacks on the central front are being carried out by "flying divisions" of picked stormtroops who are closely collaborating with armoured trains, of which at least 30 are now operating. These carry not only troops but heavy guns and also a great number of anti-aircraft guns. Quoting a special dispatch from the Moscow front, Moscow radio stated: "The German offensive aimed at Mojaisk and Malo Yaroslavets has been j unsuccessful. In the past five days the enemy has advanced somewhat, but the advance is not comparable with the speed of any previous five days since the beginning of the October offensive. The announcer added: "Our armies on the western front are ready for a new German thrust to Moscow. The strength of the enemy is still great, but his task will daily become more difficult. The Red army is wearing him down at the approaches to Moscow. Every day strengthens the conviction that this great fight will be won by us." The "Pravda" states that Russian forces on October 29 advanced five miles along the Mojaisk highway. RUSSIAN REVERSES IN SOUTH. The Stockholm correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says that the vehemence of excuses by the Germans for the slowness of their advance is the best possible proof that no decisive breach has yet been made in the Russian defences on the central front. He adds: "While the situation appears to be slightly brighter on the Moscow front, it must be admitted that the Russians are having a bad time in the south, where it is obvious that Marshal Timoshenko will be unable to halt the German advance this side of the River Don, though he has already achieved miracles in the delaying action, every second of which gives him a chance to reorganise, regroup, and reinforce his armies further east. Moscow radio quotes a message dated today in reference to Rostov, which says: "For several days crack S-S. divisions have been in the same spot. r Our units are gradually strengthening their positions, and in the past two days have recaptured by counter-attacks several points at the approaches to the city. At these points the enemy has passed from the offensive to the defensive and has dug in tanks for use as fortified positions. A new, heavy battle can be expected. The defenders of Rostov prefer to die rather than surrender their beloved city." DEFENCE OF THE CRIMEA. Nine divisions, or nearly 200,000 men, of whom many are veterans who were evacuated from Odessa, have manned a reserve line at the extreme southern end of the Perekop Isthmus, with the village of Osyun as the .centre, says the Stockholm correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph." He adds that even if the Germans break through it will be an uphill business, because the whole mountainous area along the south coast is a great armed camp. It is estimated the Rus-

sians have between 500,000 and 750,000 troops for the defence of the Crimea, including marines from the Black Sea fleet.

The southern half of the Crimea is studded with airfields, and the strong Black Sea fleet air arm is ready to take over the defence of Sebastopol exclusively.

Moscow radio stated that German tanks which forced their way into Kharkov were practically all smashed by Soviet artillery. It emphasised that fighting, in the Kharkov region is as fierce as ever, with the Germans using a large number of tanks.

The Tass news agency states that in German pnslaughts on suburbs of Kharkov the enemy suffered 3500 casualties in one day.

The enemy is doing his utmost to advance eastwards of Makeevka, near Stalin. The Germans hereabouts have made a breach in the Soviet defences, but Red army units, fighting with great stubbornness, have prevented the enemy from developing the success.