SWEEPING ADVANCES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 39, 16 February 1942, Page 5

SWEEPING ADVANCES

Russians Nearing Old Polish Border

LONDON, February 15. Russian troops are how advancing into zones where the Germans have had time to organise a system of defences. According to Moscow messages, German reserves are being thrown into this new defensive battle and are putting up what the "Red Star" describes as a stiff resistance. Official news from Moscow speaks of widespread fighting in the Leningrad area, where in tfie past few days alone nearly * 2000 German officers and men have been killed. Meanwhile, Soviet cavalry units which have broken through the enemy's rear continue to advance and clear the Leningrad road for the main Russian forces. There are reports of sweeping advances by Russian forces into tjie Soviet republic of White Russia. Stockholm messages say that the Russian advance is *m>w only 72 miles from the old Polish frontier and the Vilna district.

The Soviet push south-west of Veliki Luki continues. In the Ukraine Marshal Timoghenko's forces are still making good progress, and tjie Germans have been dislodged from three more places, with heavy casualties. In the Crimea the Russians are reported to have launched powerful attacks from Sebastopol. The German radio says that the attacks were repulsed but that the German, forces are on the defensive.

Russian campaign and therefore it asking Brauchitsch to resume command.

Informed quarters add that Hitler also seems to be emotionally exhaust* ed by his failure against Russia. It is significant that he wept copiously at Dr. Todt's funeral.