IMMENSE FORCES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20836, 15 July 1942, Page 3

IMMENSE FORCES

SOUTHERN DRIVE THREAT TO RUSSIANS CUTTING OFF SUPPLIES (11.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 14. Tne Times’ Stockholm correspondent says that the Germans are showing a strong tendency to thrust the active front southwards of Lisichansk, being already close to the important towns of Artemovsk, Gorlovka, Maryevka, and Voroshilovgrad and all of the Donetz industnal basin. Immense forces on both sides are arrayed in tnis region, ending near Taganrog. It is not certain whether the Hussions will make a stand in their present positions. There are no signs enus far of a withdrawal from the Donetz basin to the Don line ending ac Rostov. The week-end indications irom the Taganrog sector suggest that cue sector between Lisichansk and the Sea of Azov may be switched into battle at any hour. The fighting near Kjev, though fierce and prolonged, does not yet show signs of exceeding local preparations for a larger future Dattle against Moscow. The Times’ military writer points out that the gravest tnreat to the disruption of the Russian communications affects, not Marshal Timoshenko’s armies, which have behind them supplies and communications probably adequate for all purposes, but the armies of the centre .and north, which must already be handicapped by the cutting of the northsouth communications, including the imain road through Voronezh. If Hitler did not draw a drop of Russian oil, he still could derive an immense benefit from cutting off the supply to the Moscow region or diverting it to roundabout routes ol long mileage and low capacity. The threat to the Russian food supplies is also serious. The circle around Voronezh covers some of the richest cornlands and a large proportion of the growing crop is now in the hands of the enemy.