SOVIET TOLL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 15 August 1941, Page 6

SOVIET TOLL

BLOOD OF NAZIS TERRIFIC PRICE EACH YARD OF LAND CLAIMS TO IRON ORE (Elec. Tel Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 15, 2 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 14. j While the Soviet paper Pravcla says there are no important changes in the disposition oi the Russian troops, because the Red Army’s mighty resistance is smashing the German offensive, Hitler’s headquarters and also the German radio and news agency to-day put out claims of success which cannot be ignored in view of the obvious difficulties in - which the thrusts in the Ukraine have placed Marshal Budenny’s forces. The German High Command, referring to the capture ot the mining centre of Krivoirog, which produces over 19,000 tons ot high grade ore each year, says that Russia by this loss has suffered a shattering economic and military blow. The spokesman of the Soviet Information Bureau. M. Lozovsky, was characteristically unperturbed when commenting on the German claim that Odessa was encircled. He declared: “It is only the Germans’ wishful thinking. When the Russian communiques say nothing important is happening on the front, this means that the Germans are halted and are not advancing anywhere." Blood-Soaked Smolensk Asked what significance he attached to the evacuation of Smolensk, M. Lozovsky said: “Our tactics aim tc exact the highest price for each yard of territory and not to permit the encirclement of the Red Army. Every square yard of Smolensk soil is soaked with the blood of many Germans.” A special German communique states: “The Soviet defence in the western Ukraine is approaching complete collapse. Rumanian troops have encircled Odessa. Hungarians have outflanked Nikolayev from the west and east. Westward of the Bug River strong enemy formations are approaching annihilation. German mobile units seized iron ore works at Krivoiror, producing 61 per cent of Russia’s ii’on ore.” The Rome radio announces that Hitler has moved his headquarters to .he Ukraine. A Finnish communique says: “Under aressure from our troops the enemy trapped inside the rings of encirclement on the coast of Lake Ladoga are fighting to the last man, and in some Races are attempting to rescue troops from some Lake Ladoga.”