DRIVE AT LENINGRAD

Grey River Argus, 18 July 1941, Page 5

DRIVE AT LENINGRAD

Resisted by Russians FROM EASTERN BORDER. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assu LONDON, July 16. The fifth day of the Germans’ second offensive brought on German specific claim to progress. The Berlin News Agency declares: A column, flanking the southern end of Lake Peipus, has reached a point near’ Byelaya, within 130 miles of Leningrad. " The Germans claim that the” are forging ahead from Estonia towards Leningrad and moving along the east side of Lake Peipus. The Official German News Agency claims that the advance towards Leningrad continues' without a halt. The Berlin military spokesman says that the significance of a German victory at Narva (on the northeastern corner of Estonia), would be that Russia would lose control of her Baltic bases. It is reported from Stockholm that the Germans and Finns are preparing a powerful offensive against Hanko. Heavy artillery duels are proceeding. The Germans state: Motorised troops advancing towards Leningrad, intercepted a Russian supply column, a mile and a-half long and destroyed many vehicles. In a naval engagement, in the Baltic, the Germans claim that E-boats sank a Russian destroyer and severely damaged a cruiser. London Press correspondents say that in making the Narva, thrust, the Germans are taking a serious risk of a devastating attack from Russians in the Pskov, Smolensk, Bobruisk and Novogradvolynsk sectors. Correspondents also assert that despite the fury of German hammerblows at the Narva and Karelian Isthmus sectors, the invaders have been unable to disorganise the Russians. German Reports RED ARMY IN DISSOLUTION. LONDON, July 16. The 'Berlin News Agency claims the destruction of a large concentration of Russian artillery in a bitter engagement, southwards of Vitebsk. The Germans captured the easternmost Stalin Line fortifications in the Vitebsk area, and conclusive!” frustrated Russian attempts to establish a defensive line behind the riddled Stalin Line in the Dnieper-Dyina area. The Russians rushed un mixed forces, including strong tank units, to close the gaps, but the dissolution ot the Russian divisions continues. The Luftwaffe effectively bombed the road from Smolensk to Moscow and the railway network in that area The Hungarians are advancing in south-western Ukraine, and Roumanian troops have re-occunied most of Bessarabia, and will soon regain the remainder. The claim of the Berlin military spokesman is that onerations are developing very favourably. The Germans are thrusting deeply into Russia.

TALINN ENCIRCLED. EY THE GERMANS. (Rec. 9 p.m.). LONDON. July 17. There are many reports of bitter fighting on the Baltic front. It is reported that the Estonian capital, Tallinn, is ablaze. The Finnish radio says: “Russian steamers are busily engaged evacuating Russian troops from Tallinn, which the Germans have encircled. Finnish military circles confirm that there has been stubborn Russian resistance. The Germans have thrown in strong reserves on the Estonian frontier, but have made little progress. as marshes and forests in the country have been assisting tenacious Russian forces. LENINGRAD BOMBED. (Rec. 9.10). ' LONDON, July 17. The Berlin Radio says: German ’planes twice bombed the railway marshalling yards in Leningrad. They blew up a munition train. ENEMY MAY-ADVANCE. FROM NORTH-WEST TOWARDS SMOLENSK. (Rec. 9.0). LONDON, July 17. To-day’s Russian communique for the first time, mentions that there is fighting in the Smolensk sector. Apparently this is an indication that a German advance is possible from Vitebsk, through the gap of country between the Dvina River and the Dnieper River. The latter runs through Smolensk. German Ace 101 ’PLANES BAGGED IN THIS WAR. (Rec. 10.45). 'BERLIN, July 17. In a special announcement, the German High Command claims that Wing Commander Moelders is the most successful fighter, pilot in tne world, with one hundred and fifteen victories to his credit. It states that he shot down on Wednesday five Soviet 'planes on the Eastern From, thus making his total for the present wap one hundred arui one. The remainder of his victims were shot down in the Spanish Civil War. Wing Commander Moelders has been awarded the Oak Leaf with Swords set in diamonds. This is the highest German decoration for gallantry.