SMOLENSK SECTOR

Grey River Argus, 28 July 1941, Page 5

SMOLENSK SECTOR

Russian Counter Attack TO BAR ROAD TO MOSCOW LONDON, July 25. According to reports from Ankara Russian forces have begun to launcn a strong counter-attack on the vital central front where Nazi divisions, isolated from infantry support and relying on air borne supplies, are in danger of annihilation. Fresh Soviet tank formations are reported to be driving into the unprotected flanks of the advanced Nazi units. In London it is stated that these Soviet forces barring the road to Moscow are smashing back the German panzer divisions east of Smolensk. Military authorities in London point out that it is around Smolensk that the main German forces are massed in the expectation of forcing a passage to Moscow, and if the Rys sians are successful in forcing the invader back, they must automatically defeat the German plan for an encirclement movement with a drive south from Leningrad and a simultaneous thrust north from Kiev, particularly as the German offensive in the Kiev district appears to have been halted and the drive from the north to Leningrad appears to be making no substantial progress. The Russian [counter-offensive is being directed by Marshal Timoshenko, who is in command on the central front. It has been revealed that when the position became ominous Marshal Timoshenka was relieved oi the command of the whole 1500-mue front to direct the campaign on the vital central front. I An official spokesman in Berlin adj mitted that the Russians counter-at- | tacked against the German advance i spearheads in the Smolensk and Mo--1 hilev areas. These, they claim, have been repulsed with heavy losses.

ARE GERMANS DISAPPOINTED?

LONDON. J'uly 25. A German communique says that operations in the east are proceeding according to plan on the whole front, with heavy fighting at some points. Despite the enormous losses or men and precious materials, the Germans are continuing the pressure on the 1,800-mile front, but nowhere have they gained any decisive reSU Commentators outside Berlin do not appear' to think that - the Germans at present have much cause lor satisfaction with operations on the Russian front. Series of Battles IN FRONT OF SMOLENSK “TREMENDOUS CONFUSION” ' LONDON, July 26. The Berlin paper “Voelkischer Beobachter’s” military correspondent savs: The gigantic battle on the eastern front seems to be splitting up into a series of individual battles, with German and Soviet units fighting at great depth, but separated from one another by enormous distances. He refers to an unbelievably vast battle area between the River Dnieper and the city of Smolensk, saying. “The front is here, there and everywhere —like a chessboard.” This description is considered a confirmation of the view that the Germans must cope with tremendous confusion.

SCORCHING MORE EARTH. RETIRING RUSSIANS’ TACTICS

LONDON, July 25. A “Times” correspondent on the German frontier says: There is stifling heat, with short nights, allowing the cornbcitnnts little rest torecuperation. Men on both sides are showing signs of ine Germans are the greater sufferers, because their front line troops can not be relieved. Even/their success will increase the Germans difficulties and hardships, because the Russians are now setting fire to the forests and their cornfields, and a re blowing up their bridges and houses, rney also are mining the roads. Every step will be perilous for the Germans, who must be suspicious of every hollow tree and every stream bed holding snipers. German Report ADVANCE IN UKRAINE BESSARABIA MOPPING UP. (Rec 9.10) LONDON, July 26 A German communique claims that the local resistance of the enemy s rearguards in the Ukraine has now been broken. It states: The alhed troops continue their pursuit of the defeated enemy, despite unfavourable wGcither and difficult roads. W The mopping up by the Roumanian units in Bessarabia has nearly been completed. Communications nave beer? re-established. The Bessarabia Government is arranging for the return of the refugees.

A RED ARMY WEAK SPOT BERLIN, July 25. A German communique says that operations in the east are according to plan on the whole front, with heavy lighting at some points. The German Official News Agency s only reference to-day to the central front is to claim that the bismtcgration and the annihilation of S - viet forces is continuing in the region of Mohilev, in the River Direister, south-west of Smolensk. German Claim SUCCESS BETWEEN SMOLENSK AND MOSCOW. (Rec. 9.10) LONDON, Jul-26. A German communique states: — Attacks have been made by strong, fresh Russian forces west and southwest of Vysama, between Smolensk and Moscow. These have failed, with heavy enemy losses.

Southern Fronts RUSSIANS CAPTURE ISLAND.

AT MOUTH OF DANUBE.

(Rec. 7.30). MOSCOW. July 27. A Soviet communique states, rase Russian motor boats land ed °n an island at the mouth ot the River Danube, which the Roumanians had considered to be impregnable. The island was captured. Coastal batteries and the landing party s guns covered the landing. There was a fierce fight, which lasted for three hours.

DRIVE AT KIEV. LONDON, July 25. On Thursday night on the southern front in the Ukraine, there was heavy fighting. German sources in Stockholm state that the fall ot Kiev, the capital of the Ukraine, is imminent. . ~ _ This is contradicted in other Ge-" man announcements, which state that the city will not be captured except after desperate fighting. Further south, the Germans claim that Kishinev, the capital of Bessarabia, has been reduced to ashesas a result of the Russian “scorched earth” tactics. There the Germans have claimed to have crossed th Dneister. Later reports state tnar the Germans have destroyed a bridge across the river behind the Russian lines. General Antonescu. Roumanian leader, said the Russians would bo chased out of Bessarabia. The Ger-

mans some time ago claimed, however, that the whole province was m German hands. . The German official spokesman said: “Gigantic battles on the eastern front are progressing successfully with the German troops bringing constantly increasing pressure against the Soviet flank in the Uk-, raine. German pressure towards Kiev is gradually forcing the Soviet troops into an untenable position. ROUMANIAN CLAIM. RECOVERY OF OIL TERRITORY FROM RUSSIA. LONDON, July 26. “The struggle for the deliverance of Roumania’s soil has now ended from the Carpathians to the sea savs a Roumanian communique. We are again the masters of our former frontiers. Northern Fronts LONDON, July 25 Heavy fighting is reported round an important railway town 200 miles north-east of Leningrad, and at another point 140 miles south °f ■ne city. ... The German spokesman said. “Geripan forces are constantly increasing pressure on the Soviet flank in the Leningrad sector. We are advancing on both sides of Lake Peipus while the Finns are increasing the threat to the Murmansk railway. Finnish Advance 25 MILES BEYOND FRONTIER 'LONDON, July 26. The Government has issued the following communique at Helsinki:— A Finnish attack, launched across the north-eastern side of Lake Ladoga, has led to the recapture of the old Finnish frontier over an extensive area - . At some points out advance has been continued for twenty-five miles beyond the frontier. There has been heavy fighting around Tartu. The Red Army destroyed ninety per cent, of the buildings in the town. MOSCOW AIR RAID. ANOTHER REPULSED. (Rec. 9.0). MOSCOW, July 26. A Soviet communique states: Several German planes approached Moscow on the morning of Saturday. Our fighters scattered them, destroythree. Agency messages from Moscow agree that the Luftwaffe’s repeated attempts to set fire to Moscow have so far been futile.

Latest Raids on Moscow

OVER 90 PLANES REPULSED.

(Rec. 120). LONDON, July 27. The Moscow radio states: One Hundred German planes attempted a mass raid on Moscow las JOnly five or seven planes penetrat. d the' defences and reached the city. Some houses and a school were sei afire. Some casualties were aau f ea ; Anti-aircraft guns and night fighters compelled the remainder of the raiders to unload their bombs in the outlying districts at random. Six raiders have thus far been reported to have been shot down. GERMANS READY IF RUSSIANS USE GAS. LONDON, July 25. It has officially been admittedl m Berlin that plans for gas wariare have been issued to German commanders, though they aie bein & studied merely as a matter o f rou tine. But, if Russia is seeking to imd an excuse for Punching gas then Germany will give the right ans wer.

Attack on Turkey

INTENDED BY GERMANY.

SOVIET STATEMENT.

(Rec 910). LONDON, July 26. Documents captured by R uss mns disclose Germany to be secretly pre oaring for a surprise attack againsffijfy. This discovery was announced by M Lozovsky, Soviet spokesman at Moscow. He said that among documents taken from the Fifty Second German Chemical Regiment, was a file of secret maps and graphs of the Euro pean part of Turkey ana the Stra . The maps and charts indicated mil - tary objectives in Turkey, such as airfields, arsenals, metallurgical works and port installations. Exact data was given of the Turkish troops and rollingstock. Places most vulnerable t 0 sea lana-inp-s cr attack by motorised troops, S indicated. All oi the documents were issued hy the German Genera Staff with instructions that, they were to be used only for service needs.

TURKEY’S VIEW.

.ATTACK NOT INDICATED

LONDON, July 26. The “New York Times'’ Ankara, correspondent says: The i’ Germanv intends to attack turkey have annoyed Turkish official circ es, but they have aroused a new appiehension among foreign diplomats. “The Turkish military circles consider that a number of German troops and an amount of material at present on the Bulgarian frontier are Fnsufficient for any major action against Turkey. _ , “However, travellers from Bulgaria have reported greatly increased military activity there.

GERMANS IN IRAN.

5,000 “TOURISTS.”

(Rec. 7.30). LONDON, July 26. ITie Cairo correspondent of the British United Press states: Jive thousand German “tourists” have arrived in Iran. They are trained, trouble-makers and propagandists.

RUSSIAN MISSION.

SEEKING U.S.A. AID.

(Rec. 9.10). WASHINGTON, July 26. A Russian military mission has arrived here from England, heaued by General Golikob and General Repin, a Red Army engineering expert. They will confer with Mr. Sumner Welles about arms and munitions tor Russia, and also will talk with General Marshall. <