LACK OF NEWS

Grey River Argus, 26 July 1941, Page 5

LACK OF NEWS

FROM RUSSIAN FRONTS Central Battles Still Heavy LONDON VIEWS. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.J LONDON, July 24. ’ There is a scarcity of news from the Russian fronts. Authorities here assume that the Russians are holding their own in the fierce fighting which both sides admit is going on in three main sectors.

The lack of news is interpreted as indicating that the fighting during the past 48 hours has produced lictle change in the disposition of the opposing armies. Apparently, the confused picture presented by countless battles scattered over vast areas is what Marshal Voroshilov predicted and prepared for. The German Panzer Divisions are reported to have paused along the whole great Russo-German front, and it is stated fighting has resolved into a confused maze of battles within battles, stretching on the central front over a width of hundreds of miles. Much appears to depend upon whether tne Germans can straighten cut the battlefronts into a clear pattern, to enable an effective revival of the Blitzkrieg. The Germans say they can do this —within ten to fourteen days. Neutral observers say that they might. WHO HOLDS SMOLENSK? CLAIMED BY BOTH SIDES. LONDON, July 24. A Soviet communique stated there was intense fighting in the direction of Smolensk. . . Members of the Russian Mission in London say there is not the slightest doubt Smolensk has not fallen. All London press correspondents accept it as a fact that Smolensk has never been out of Russian hands. The fact that the Russians are holding Smolensk is extremely important because it is in this region that the heaviest German forces are concentrated. and the Russians are least prepared. The Berlin Official News Agency states that Smolensk has been in the hands of the Germans for oyer a week, since J'uly 16. Soviet Reports INTENSE FIGHTING KEPT UP. LONDON, July 24. This afternoon’s Soviet communique states: There was intense fighting throughout the night in the direction of Prokhov, Polotsk, Ne.val, Smolensk and Jitomar. In other <sectors there was no large scale activity. The Red Air Force attacked enemy mechanised units and aerodromes. According to Russian journalists in London, the Russians are “fighting like hell, and to a preconceived plan.” The journalists express the opinion that the fighting grows fiercer daily. Russian circles in London claim that large Soviet mechanised columns on the central front are still functioning as far eastwards as Minsk, and are believed to be receiving supplies by air. The Germans have never denied that the Soviet forces are holding Minsk. Battles between mechanised units are rarely stationary, but move often at high 'speed from’ place to place, much like naval actions. Press agency messages from Moscow agree that the Luftwaffe’s repeated attempts to set fire to Moscow have thus far proved futile. The Soviet Deputy Foreign Commissar M. Lozovsky, stated that only 3 to 4 per cent, of the German planes penetrated the defences of Moscow last night. Between 10 and 11 per cent, were destroyed, mostly by night fighters. ENEMY DIVISION. ANNIHILATED IN SMOLENSK AREA. (Rec. 11.30). MOSCOW, July 25. A Russian communique states: There is stubborn fighting going on in the directions of Porkhov, Smolensk and Jitomir. No great battles have been reported elsewhere. “Our troops in the Smolensk area annihilated an infantry division which had recently arrived. “While resisting large enemy forces, our Air Force inflicted blows on aerodromes.

German Reports A RUSSIAN ARMY SURROUNDED. 16 SOVIET WARSHIPS LOST. LONDON, July 24. A German communique says: Operations on the Eastern fro-?t ai - proceeding according to pian, .respite strong local resistance and anucult road conditions. The Berlin News Agency claims that the German Army encircled a large Russian army at Neval. which it completely defeated with “extraordinarily heavy losses.” It asserts that Smolensk has been firmly in German hands since July 16. The Berlin radio’s official commentator did not mention a single place name in referring to the “battle or annihilation.” He claimed that the battle is enormous and is continuing. He added: How long the struggle between the Arctic and the Black Sea will continue cannot yet be foreseen, but the Russians will never be able to make up their losses. The Soviet Navy has lost 16 warships. The captured Baltic ports have been converted into most valuable German bases. The Soviet Baltic Fleet will soon be trapped in the Gulf of Finland. HUNGARIANS ADVANCE. LONDON. July 24. The only new Axis claim to-night is a Hungarian communique, the first for several days declaring: “The Hungarians advanced several hundred kilometres eastwards, amid constant fighting. Heavy fighting occurred at the River Bug. The enemy losses are big. but ours are trifling. ’ Moscow Air Raid ON THURSDAY NIGHT. AGAIN REPULSED. (Rec. 11.55) LONDON, July 25. An official statement has been issued at Moscow as follows: — Two waves of enemy planes attempted a raid on Moscow on Thursday night. Only one machine readied Moscow. It dropped bombs ,at random. Wc 1 shot it and another plane down. Our night fighter p'.anes and anti-aircraft guns drove the other nlanes trek westwards.