AWAITING ATTACK

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 May 1943, Page 5

AWAITING ATTACK

RUSSIAN-GERMAN TACTICS

LULL MYSTERY DISCUSSED

LONDON, May 17.. The news from both sides in Russia becomes more extraordinary each day. Both sides admit a lull in the land fighting, and each emphasises the other’s preparations for attack.

The Berlin radio’s commentator, Captain Sertorius, says: “It is possible to assume that there is a tendency on both sides to allow the enemy to be the first to attack. If this be the case an actual lull may last for many weeks. Such a development is more probable than a sudden break in the lull.’’ Several observers believe that .such remarks invite speculation whether the Germans want to start operations again on the Russian front until there is some sign of the Allied Nations’ plans elsewhere. , Reutei- s Moscow correspondent indicates . a similar tense hesitancy in Russia, and says that preparations for the next phase continue apace. The British United Press correspondent in Moscow quotes a section of opinion in Moscow to the effect that a German concentration oi heavy tanks and guns m the Byelmrod sector, north of Kharkov, and also in the Orel sector may be an indication that the German High Command is preparing another lightning offensive in the east with a view to paralysing the Russian Army before the Allies open a second front.

GERMAN ATTACKS FAIL

LONDON. May 18

The Germans yesterday made fresh and violent efforts to dislodge the Russians from the positions they have gained north-east of Novorossisk, in the Kuban. Several fierce enemy attacks, supported by tanks and aeroplanes, were' thrown back with heavy losses. Elsewhere m Russia the'most marked activity was at Lisitichansk. on the Donetz, where fierce artillery duels are being fought. POLES ACCUSED. LONDON, May 17. Colonel Berling Commander of a newly-formed Polish Division m Russia, in an article in “Pravda,” accuses officers of the First Polish Division in Russia “of openly conducting treacherous activities,” says the Moscow radio. Col. Berling claims and Geneiai Anders. Commander of the First Polish Division said: The territory where we are is far enough from the front. The military operations will not hinder us in our military training and when the Red Army breaks under the blows of the Germans, which will occur in a Lew months, we shall be able to make our way through Iran along the Caspian Sea and thus, be the only armed Power in this territory. Colonel Berling adds that Polish Army patriots could not adjust themselves to General Anders Army and expressed a wish to create a real Polish Army—an army of liberation.

CZECH DECISION

(Reed. 12.41) p.m.) LONDON, May 18. ■ The Czechoslovakian Government has temporarily suspended the negotions with the Polish Government aimed at forming a confederation between tne two States. The Czech Minister ol State (Di. Jubert Rinka), for the first time revealing the suspension, declared tnat Czechoslovakia had a vital interest in ■close collaboration with the Soviet Union and the Western Powers and ■he hoped that the controversial problems between Poland and Russia would be solved at the earliest opportunity. The Czechoslovakian Government believed it was vital foi the small nations ol' central and southeast Europe to collaborate very closely with Russia, Britain and the United States, and also with resurrected France, if they wanted guaranteed independence and security and economic and social prosperity. . He added that Czechoslovakia had emphasised at the very beginning ol the negotiations that confederation was feasible only if both States had cquallv cordial relations with Russia The Czech Government reached its decision without outside interference, and the tension between I olancl and Russia was not the only reason for suspension of the negotiations. Czechoslovakia and Poland continued to disagree about Hungary. which was Czechoslovakia s main enemv after Germany, whereas Poland was not at war with Hungary. An additional difference was Poland’s annexation of Eschen at the Lime of the Munich Agreement, an action which the Polish Government in London had taken steps _to Perpetuate. to the painful surprise ot the Czechos 1 ovakian Government.