LENINGRAD DEFENDERS

Evening Star, Issue 23991, 16 September 1941, Page 7

LENINGRAD DEFENDERS

CONTESTING EVERY YARD CIVIL GUARDS REPULSE ENEMY LONDON, • September 14. There is little doubt that Leningrad’s position is critical, but the Russian morale shows no signs of weakening. Units of the Russian Civil. Guard for three weeks have been fighting shoulder to shoulder with Red Army regulars in what must be one of the bloodiest battles in history. The Russians are inflicting a terrific toll of casualties for every yard of territory - relinquished, and the German High Command has been obliged to throw in fresh divisions. Leningrad civilians revealed that they are capable of acts no'less daring than the regulars. For example, armed workmen successfully repulsed an attempt to storm the famous Putiliv munition works outside the city. According to the ‘ Pravda,’ Civil Guards holding a sub-sector of the front drove back the Germans at bayonet-point, crossed an unnamed river, and recaptured several villages, which are being held in spite of mass air raids. Marshal Voroshilov is ceaselessly attacking the Shlusselburg region, where the fighting line is moving back and forth with the fortunes of battle. Guerrillas are giving effective “ be-lund-thc-line ” support to Leningrad’s defenders, ft is officially stated that a single band of guerrillas killed over 300 Germans, routed an enemy unit headquarters. and destroyed large quantities of material. TRANSFER OF FINNISH FORGES A PUZZLING REPORT LONDON, September 11. A puzzling report which reached Vichy from Helsinki says Marshal Mannerheim transferred most of his troops from the Karelian Isthmus northwards of Lake Ladoga. The purpose of the move, which would remove the Finnish threat to Leningrad from the north, is stated to be to facilitate the conquest of Russian Karelia, which Marshal Manncrheim promised Finland. Marshal Mannerheim is reported personally to have taken, charge of operations. The Finns claimed to have cut the Leningrad-Murmansk railway where it touches the Svir River. Finnish forces are stated to be advancing towards Petrozavodsk, on the west shore of Lake Onega. German and Finn reinforcements are believed to have been introduced in the Salla region, where intense fighting has been resumed for Kandalaksha. In the extreme north the Germans are attacking north-east of Polsamo with the object of driving the Russians from Ribach Peninsula.