REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 24919, 17 July 1943, Page 5

REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT

OFFENSIVE STAGED DURING GERMAN ATTACK LONDON, July 16. Renter's military commentator points out that the Russian success is a remnrkablo' achievement, especially as the Russians wero able to stage a strong offensive practically during the German attack. "It shows that the Russians were able to hold the German attack with local reserves while they prepared a counter-stroke," Reuter's commentator adds. "It is obvious that large numbers of tanks must have been held in reserve for the thrust, and this would tend to show that the German claims of vast destruction of Russian armour were grossly exaggerated. The blows have fallen where the Germans are strongest. If the thrusts east and north of Orel should converge, an important chunk would he pinched out of the German line."

The German and Italian radios admit that Soviet forces breached the German lines on the Orel sector. The Russian change to the offensive follows 10 days in which the Russian salient at Kursk, below the Orel front, was successfully held against attacks which are estimated to have cost tho Germans 60,000 men.