DEFEAT FOR HITLER

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1942, Page 7

DEFEAT FOR HITLER

ORDER FRUSTRATED

IMPORTANT GROUND GAINED 8Y RUSSIANS LONDON, February 25. There are more details today about tlie important Russian victory at Staraya Russa, which has given the Russians control of the centre in the Leningrad area, gßound vital for the spring offensive battles^ The Had to overcome considerable difficulties, including deep snow, lack of roads, and desperate enemy resistance. They used artillery, tanks, aircraft, and.- ski units, in cooperation with infbntry. It was revealed today that before the German 16th army was routed, Hitler had -given coders that it must hold out. Moscow messages istate that Russian troops advancing southwards from Staraya Russa have cant the communications of the Second! German Army Corps. This latest advance is stated to be taking place in; deep snow and bitter weather.

Staraya Russa was an important German supply base and a centre for the repair of motor-veljieles. It is also an important road junction. The Russians are now stated to hold a line from Staraya Russa tip Novrogod in

the north, and to Kholm and .Veliki ■. Luki in the south.

The German radio mentioned! today for the first time a battle north-iw»est of Lake Ilmen in which they tillimed that violent Russian attacks ext: finding over four weeks were hurled back with heavy losses.

Both Russian and German sc forces speak of violent fighting over the Airhole front.

The Russian advance in the Smolensk region is continuing from Dorogol&uzh, 45 miles east of Smolensk, and the capture of ten more places in the Rzhev area is reported. '' • ~■ ■