SOONER THAN INTENDED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 43, 20 February 1942, Page 5

SOONER THAN INTENDED

ENEMY RESUMPTION

OF OFFENSIVE

LONDON, February 19,

The Germans scarcely attempt to disguise the fact that their aggressiveness in Russia has been resumed earlier than intended, because the German soldiers prefer even a semblance of offensive action to passive acceptance of the Russian hammering.

Thus local attacks and counterattacks are the order of the day over large tracts of the Orel-Sukhinichi region, which is apparently the scene of some of- the heaviest fighting this week.

The Russian attacks further south, says "The Times" Stockholm correspondent, continue relentlessly.

"The Times" correspondent in Moscow describes an important battle on the south-western front in which all branches of the Russian striking force co-operated ,in an attack against wellprepared German defences.

Guerrilla and raiding activity increases on the Ukraine front and the southern front. The guerrillas in the Kharkov region are much stronger and are threatening the German communications.

The Red army has also begun largescale attacks west of the Kerch peninsula. Russian transports have poured in supplies to Kerch, and the fighting is raging on a broad" front north-east of Theodosia.