RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE

Grey River Argus, 19 December 1941, Page 7

RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE

IMPORTANT GAINS In Centre and North FINNS BEING ATTACKED. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, Dec. 17. The Germans suffered a crushing defeat when Russia’s new Volga Army flung the 9th Army under General Strauss from Kalinin, the important key city on the MoscowLeningrad railway, 100 miles northwest of the capital and 50 miles from Klin, which the Russians recaptured on Monday. The Russians state six divisions of the 9th Army were destroyed, and the remnants are retreating. Th e Russian attack leading- to the recapture of Kalinin culminated in hand-to-hand fighting and bayonet charges. Yuskevich’s troops first liberated 35 populated points, and before the Germans had time to recover, the Russians launched an attack against the city itself qnd broke through the powerful defences, after which violent street fighting occurred. The Germans began a disorderly retreat westwards, abandoning arms, ammunition and equipment. Moscow radio says that the Germans had built several strongly-fortified lines at Kalinin, and made other preparations, suggesting that they intended to remain in the city throughout the Winter. Great quantities of equipment captured are still being counted. Other towns taken by the Russians in this area are Vysokoie and Novopetrovsk. The Moscow radio also reports that the Germans are speedily retreating south-westwards from Klin.

As a result of the fighting in the Klin area between December 6 and 14, General Lilushenko’s troops alone captured 158 tanks, 28 armoured cars, 182 guns, 356 ' machine-guns, 750 motor cycles, several thousand shells, 25,000 mines, 3,000,000 cartridges and much other equipment. The Russians continue to pursue the Germans near Livny, Yefremov, and Yelets, and have liberated 111 points.

“Izvestia” says that the Russians in the Leningrad sector are continuing the annihilation of the surrounding enemy force. The Russian Air Force, despite unfavuorable weather, is inflicting heavy blows on enemy aerodromes, troops and communications. „ Russian statements show'that the advance continues on a wide front, not only north-west and south of Moscow, but also westwards from the i capital. The deep Russian penetration on the left flank of the German position before Moscow is indicated by the overnight Moscow communique which announced the recapture of Vysokoie, 50 miles south-west of Kalinin. A Russian attack south of Leningrad is designed to restore communications between Leningrad and Moscow, and it is reported to be succeeding at all points. The retreating Germans are being given no opportunity of standing and making an attempt at resistance. Russian aircraft are co-operating with the land forces in harrying the fleeing enemy. The retreat of the German left wing on the Moscow front resembles a rout. This wing seemed irresistible until a fortnight ago, when pushing to envelop Moscow, but has now definitely crumbled, as the Russians recaptured Kalinin, after which they are driving the remnants of five divisions towards Rjev and the source of the Volga. The Moscow radio stated that the Germans in the Tula sector are so quickly abandoning villages that they were unable to destroy the equipment, wherefore the Russians, in some instances, not only captured tanks intact, but were able to attack the Germans therewith, because even the guns were still loaded. The German armies in the Mojaisk area have begun a large-scale evacuation, employing a large number of planes to cover the withdrawal. In the extreme south, in the Crimea, the Sebastopol garrison supported by coastal artillery is reported to have commenced a violent assault on the Germans, who are putting up a strong resistance. The Rome radio reported that General Hugo Detorelli, Commander of the Fascist Tornio Division on the southern Russian front, had been killed in action. Sixteen Greman aircraft were destroyed on December 15 for the loss of four Russian. On the same day, the Soviet air force destroyed 43 tanks, three armoured cars. more than 640 lorries, with troops and ammunition, four field guns, six ma-chine-guns, over 130 ammunition lorries, two petrol containers, and dispersed two infantry regiments. An article in the “Soviet War News” says: The fate of Napoleon and his own army hangs like a black shadow over' Hitler and his Nazi Germany. This Russian success can scarcely be exaggerated says “The Times” Stockholm correspondent, because m conjunction with similar progress by the other Moscow wing around Tula, •It must compel the main German forces no the centre and Moscow front to attempt a hurried difficult withdrawal, or face complete encirclement and annihilation. In any case, the operation must entail abandonment of much material and losses of men. The morale of the Germans has perceptibly deteriorated, especially in the Kalinin area whereas the Russians everywhere are in the finest fettle. A Berlin announcement states the reason for the withdrawal of the German forces on the eastern front, is due to the desire to shorten that front, as the result of the severe winter conditions.

ANOTHER RUSSIAN GAIN. (Rec. 10.0). MOSCOW. Dec. IH. A Moscow supplementary communique says:—General Boldin’s troops occupied Shchenkin, after destroying the 296th. German Division. The Moscow radio stated: “Over ten thousand Germans were killed in the battle which ended in the Russians recapturing Kalinin.” (Rec. 12.0). LONDON, December 18. The Stockholm report says: “'lhe Russians are reported to have broken Finnish line along the Svir river, be tween Lakes Ladoga and Onega. RUSSIANS ATTACKING FINNS. (Rec. 11.0). LONDON, December 18. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Stockholm correspondent says: Strong forces of Russian tanks and ski troops are pressing home a'i general offensive against Finnish forces on the Svir River front, seriously threatenong main enemy bridgeheads soutnwr.rds of the river at Oshta and Lodinkoyepolye. It is reported that the Russians already arte- fighting for possession of an airfield at Lodinkoyepoyle, which is the southernmost point of the Finnish advance, and which is now defended by two regim’entsl of General Engelbrecht’s infantry division. The Finns admit that Russian forces have begun a general offensive along the Svir River, which runs between Lake Onega and Lake Ladoga, 200 miles north-east, of Leningrad. This followed news of strong

Russian pressure on the Neva River, a few miles south of Leningrad. If the Russians succeed in this sector they will he able to restore communications between Leningrad and Moscow.

By initiating an offensive from the Oshta region, south-westward of Lake Onega, the Russians surprised the Finns, who already considered themselves victorious, and had begun partial demobilisation. The strength of this Russian move, thus far, cannot be judged, but coupled with the German predicament, it is already bringing home to the Finns the dangers of their position, and also strengthening the incipient conviction that they missed a favourable opportunity when they refused peace with honour, plus regained territory.