NEW BATTLES FLARE IN RUSSIA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20631, 12 August 1941, Page 5

NEW BATTLES FLARE IN RUSSIA

NAZI ONSLAUGHT BIQ FOR ODESSA LENINGRAD DRIVE STERN SOVIET DEFENCE (Elec. Tel Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 12, 11.30 a.m.) • LONDON, Aug.'ll. News of two new battles which flared up around Soltsa and Uman arrived on the fifth day of the third German offensive. Mention of these names suggests that the Germans made new advances on the Leningrad front and the TJkraine, but there is no indication of Russian weakening in the month-long battle for Smolensk. The Red Army still apparently stands firmly on the centre battle line. Soltsa, which lies astride the northsouth railway from Leningrad, represents a German advance of 49 miles north-eastward from Porkhov, which was the last-mentioned zone of operations to Leningrad. Kholm returns to the news as a centre of renewed fighting, suggesting that the Germans are continuing their efforts to drive a wedge between the northern and central Russian armies. Fighting at Uman indicates a deepened drive into the Ukraine with a view to turning the line on the Dnieper, which, if successful, would' probably entail a big withdrawal of the Red Army. It is reported from Ankara that Germany is using 70 divisions in the drive south of Kiev, which means, if true, that over 1,000,000 men are pressing towards Russia’s newlycreated industrial centre on the lower Dnieper. Threat to Odessa The British Official Wireless service says that although there is no- fresh news in London of fighting in the Ukraine, where the Germans have made large claims upon which the Russians do not comment, it is believed in well-informed circles that the German pressure is continuing hnd the threat: to Odessa has become greater in the last three days. There is no indication, however, that the Russian line has broken. The opinion is expressed that tanks will find it hard going in the Ukraine when the heavy rains start next month, the country being typically fenland in character, concludes the British Official Wireless Service. A Russian communique issued early this afternoon states: “During the night of August 10—11 fighting continued in the Smolensk and ByelayaTserkov directions and in the Estonian sector. Our air force, in co-operation with the land forces, delivered blows against enemy motor and mechanised units, infantry and artillery.” the Turkish national broadcasting station at Ankara to-day quoted reliable Moscow advices that the Germans may shortly attempt an invasion of the Crimea with the object of supporting the Kiev push. The Germans recently concentrated 250 to 300 naval barges at Constanta, each capable of carrying 400 troops. An additional 400 barges and also 20 Rumanian and 30 Bulgarian freighters are concentrated at other Black Sea ports. Fifteen to 20 torpedo boats are being assembled at Rumanian and Bulgarian ports, while at least eight German submarines are ready to protect the fleet.