UKRAINE DEFENCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20637, 18 August 1941, Page 5

UKRAINE DEFENCE

SEVERE TESTING AREAS OF INDUSTRY IRON ORE RESOURCES lEles. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn. I (Reed. Aug. 18, 11.20 a.m.). LONDON. Aul7. The Soviet night communique does little to make clearer the very confused picture of the lighting in the Ukraine. It is believed in London that Marshal Budenny's large forces are still being withdrawn in good order to strong defensive positions behind the formidable natural barrier on the Dnieper, which is barely less than a third of a mile across, or they are trying to hold a line stretching from the mouth of the Dnieper across the great bend which forms the point where'it flows back to the west. The latter positions would cover the important Ukrainian industrial area and the iron ore mines of Krivoirog. “The next few days alone can show whether the German drive in the Ukraine will be even partly successful,” stated Reuter’s Moscow correspondent in a week-end message. “Hitler’s primary aim is presumably to capture the important industrial region inside the bend of the Dnieper, where roughly a third of the Ukraine’s industry is placed. It contains the great Dnieper dam in addition to krivoirog and the important industrial area of Dnepro-Petrovsk. Claims Exaggerated “The Russians admit that the Germans have made considerable progress, but declare that the Berlin claims are. nevertheless, exaggerated and it will soon be possible to see to what extent Marshal Budenny’s armies have deliberately retreated with the object of reaching country easier to defend and more essential tc retain that the rural Ukraine. “If the Russians defend the lint across the bend of the Dnieper the Germans will not only have to fight on difficult terrain, but will have to deal with the industrial population inside the bend. The population is intensely patriotic and devoted to the present regime. The people are aisc largely descended from' the toughest freedom-loving Cossacks who have, fought Polish and Turkish invader: for centuries.” The correspondent of The Times on the German frontier says that authoritative neutrals doubt whether Marsha. Budenny could hold up the German: permanently on the Dnieper, but that is unnecessary because the rapid approach of winter makes it imperative •that the Germans should secure an immediate' and decisive victory. “It is generally agreed that Marshal Budenny can delay the Germans long enough to prevent a successful penetration of the east Ukraine before the winter, which would give the Russian? time to recuperate and reorganise and receive aid from America,” states the correspondent. Rags and Tatters The Stockholm correspondent of The Times says that further withdrawals of the Russians may occur until, the Germans have marched themselves like Napoleon’s army to rags and tatters. “There is nothing trustworthy to indicate that Marshal Budenny's forces are disintegrating or enveloped,” he adds. “However, they are engaged in difficult operations which will be costly.” The Berlin radio, emphasising the difficulties of the German troops, says the Prut, the Dniester and the Bug are all unusually wide and deep and continuous rains have transformed roads and fields of the Ukraine into a quagmire. “ The Moscow correspondent “of the New York Times says: “While ; the renewed German offensive in .Russia appears to be concentrated oft three major salients, it actually extends from the Arctic to the Black Saea. The Germans have been slowed d£wn or; the northern sectors, but have gained considerable territory in the |outh oi the Ukraine, where they are'! aiming to attain the Dnieper industrial region. They plan to consolidate their*position there for a drive toward the Don Basin and the Caucasus. “However, they are far from even beginning to accomplish such a task as the Russian fleet still controls the Black Sea and the Ukrainian armies thus far have avoided encirclement. Marshal Budenny’s forces in the Ukraine remain intact,”