Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1943. RUSSIAN PROGRESS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 September 1943, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1943. RUSSIAN PROGRESS.

TpilE Dominion’s general elections have recently attracted most attention in this country,—if other Empire lands were unkindly indifferent, despite Mr. Fraser’s claim, —but from now on the war will resume in New Zealand its position as public interest number one. Much has happened, of late, to cause the Alfies gratification, especially in Russia. The Germans have been compelled to shorten their lines to an extent beyond their own wishes, and they have lost most of their early gains. Little news comes about the position around Leningrad and further North, where a deadlock has existed for months. In the South, too, the Germans retain the Crimea and other territory, and may be able to hold out until rains and Winter check Russian progress. ’Whatever the rate of further Russian advances, it is clear already that, the German invasion has failed. Terrible loss of life, the injuries and sufferings of the Axis armies, the destruction of their armaments and other material, have been all for nothing, with the certainty ol further retreats and heavier calamities. Heil Hitler!

The Russians say little about their own losses, hut these must have been heavy. Major operations may have to be suspended for a. time in order to give the Red Army a. rest and to bring up adequate supplies. It is possible that, apart from the fall of Kiev, little spectacular will occur before Winter, but the issue of the campaign has been decided. The Germans will be unable to resume the offensive on a scale similar to those previously launched, and next Spring may be defending their own territory. The Russians arc not now the only district foes, as the Allies’ advance in Italy, and probable further moves in the Balkans, are adding to German troubles, already acute in every direction. There is still much to do before the Red Army is marching to Berlin, but enough has been achieved to warrant Mr. Stalin’s jubilation and to justify the commendation and congratulations being showered on the Russian troops. The anniversary of the Battle of Britain rightly directs attention Io what the whole world owes to the ILA.H A similar debt where, land-fighting is concerned is owed to the Russians, who,. in defending themselves were, like the R.A.F. defending England, safeguarding all of the United Nations. Despite official inferences to the contrary, “united” has not been always the most appropriate word to describe the relations lint ween Russia and her chief allies. Serious misunderstandings arose, partly through Russian reticence and narrow views of global strategy, and partly because some Anglo-U.S.A. circles weie still suspicious of Soviet good faith. Happily, more harmony now prevails, and the forthcoming meetings between Soviet and Anglo-U.S.A. representatives should produce good results. It would be well if a Churchill-Roosevelt-Stalin meeting could be arranged, as this would be more convincing than a gathering of horeign Secretaries. There are difficulties in arranging a meeting of + he three chiefs, but il there were a will, a way would be found. Hitler’s attempts to woo, or bribe, Stalin from his alliance with the United Nations, need not be taken seriously. Stalin is unlikely to forego Russian vengeance on the Germans for the horrors and destruction they have perpetrated in Soviet territory.