INTENSE PREPARATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 96, 24 April 1942, Page 5

INTENSE PREPARATION

THE RIVAL ARMIES

(Rec. 1 p.m.) LONDON, .April' 23,

Great activity has been reported behind both the Russian and German lines in the past few days, especially by railway, as troops and material are hastily being sent forward for the expected titanic battles, says the Stockholm correspondent of "The Times." German sources mention daily the bombing of Russian concentrations in the rear, but apparently this is sporadic, doubtless because the aerodromes,are still waterlogged.

There has been more intense activity from Russian partisan raiders recently, particularly around Bryansk and between there and Orel. This, coupled with direct operations, has hampered the German supplies to both of the semi-beleaguered towns.

Activity in the Donets Basin supports the view that the Germans are preparing one of the main thrusts to the Caucasus below Kharkov. Russians and Germans for a long stretch are lined up on tho respective banks of the Donets, from which the ice has disappeared, and each side is already attempting to reconnoitre or raid the opposite bank in river craft.- Soviet craft now ply in the shallow Sea of Azov, whence at least one small raid was made this week west of Taganrog.

The Crimea has become more active, with renewed Russian attacks from the Kerch Peninsula. Fierce fighting here is inevitable, as the German plans to reach the Caucasus must include the expulsion of the Russians across the Kerch Strait.