STALINGRAD STAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20907, 6 October 1942, Page 3

STALINGRAD STAND

VERDUN COMPARISON RESENTED IN RUSSIA (10 a.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 5 The Herald-Tribune’s Moscow correspondent states that the Red Star publishes an article by a special correspondent, Mikhail Romanovitch Galaxtionov, which is worthy of considerable study, since it reflects the viewpoint increasingly apparent in Russia in which exception is taken to foreign press comparisons between Stalingrad and Verdun. The writer points out, firstly, that Verdun was a system of modern forts whereas the Stalingrad sector has not any defensive advantages, although German propaganda is trying to make it appear a powerful fortified zone. Secondly, against Verdun me Germans never used over 15 divisions a’ one time, vhile 30 have been used at Stalingrad. Further, the Germans are suffering incomparably heavier losses at Stalingrad. , For example, the total German losses at Verdun were 300,000. The ratio of losses at Stalingrad is several times greater It is specifically mentioned that the Germans are losing 3000 officers and soldiers a day on one sector alone in the- north-west of Stalingrad. Thirdly, at Verdun planes and tanks were nil. while in the present battle thousands of each are employed daily. All told, Verdun is far behind insofar as the intensity of fighting is concerned. Moreover, the writer points out that the strategic value of Verdun was relatively unimportant, while the fate of the entire world depends on the result of Stalingrad.