GREAT ACHIEVEMENT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21150, 19 July 1943, Page 3

GREAT ACHIEVEMENT

SOVIET BREAK-THROUGH SIGN OF NAZI WEAKNESS ‘fOrit'sh Offiotnl WirplppfO 1 10 a.m.) RUGBY, July 18. In London, the Russian 'breakthrough on the Orel front is regarded ns a great achievement. It proves not only that the German gamble has failed but that the Russians are still strong enough to profit by the enemy’s failure and are able to challenge the German army to fight a bigger battle than it reckoned on. This is the first time that the Russians have been in a position to launch a summer offensive, and nothing demonstrates more clearly than tins the deterioration of the German fortunes and the change in the relative strength of the opposing forces. Increased Soviet air power is reported to have been a crucial factor. The Red Army’s capacity to pass over from defence to counter-attack with such rapidity is not only _ a tribute to the skill of the Russian commanders but also a commentary on the weakness of the German battle plan, for it completely changes the outlook along the whole front.