RED ARMY ADVANCE

Grey River Argus, 18 March 1942, Page 5

RED ARMY ADVANCE

ON CENTRAL FRONT

Viazama Encircled

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Rec. 8.10). LONDON, March 16. Advanced Red Army units on Monday morning cut the V-azma-Smo-lensk railway, thus completing an encirclement of Viazma, and enclosing from three to five German divisions. If the Germans succeed in fighting their way out of this pocket, the.r losses in material will be enormous .because the Germans massed at Viazma all materials intended foxuse for their assault on Moscow.

Russian para troops dropped at night, during a snowstorm. and stormed and dynfamited a number of important strongpoints behind German lines covering Smolensk. "German reinforcements rushed to the scene, but all attempts to dislodge the Russians from vantage points have so far failed. The paratroop operation enabled Russian tanks and infantry to smash through the enemy's second fortified line guarding the Viazma-Smolensk highway. The position of Hitler’s armies on the central front has further been endangered by a new advance by Soviet forces north-westward of Yukhnov, which carried Storm Troops and tank units into Djagileva, 12 miles south-west of Viazma.

LONDON, March 16.

Monday night’s Russian communique stated: Soviet troops waged offensive operations against German Fascist troops, and occupiea several locailities. On March 14, 28 German planes were destroyed, and on the following day 17 wer e destroyed. Our losses were five planes. On March 16, three German planes were shot down near Moscow.

In the period March 8 to 14. 215 German pianes were destroyed. Our losses were 57.

Russian guards captured Kogdanova, 35 miles north of the SmolenskViazma road, and Serebusje, midway between Dorogobui and Viazma. The Moscow radio reported that thp cruiser Krasnkavkaz attacked a German-occupied island in the Black Sea. It bombarded the fortifications. after which a landing party raided the island. The operation was carried out in darkness, and the Germans were completely surprised.

LABOUR AND RUSSIA.

NEW YORK, March 16.

The American Federation of Labcur is considering the British Trade Union leaders’ proposals that it should drop its long-standing opposition to co-operation with the Soviet trade unionists. Reporting this, the “New York Times” says: The A.F.L. adamantly opposed past proposals by the Brtish and French labour movements to admit Russian unions into the International Federation of Trade Unions. The British unionists’ object is to enable the Labour movements of Britain, the United States and Russia to join in the International Federation to help the United Nations’ war effort. Informed circles say that the A.F.L. leaders are favourably considering the proposals, because the popular feeling is that every contribution which Labour can make towards victory should be made, regardless of ideological differences. A delegation of United States' Labour leaders and employers is likely to be sent soon to England, and possibly to Russia, to visit armament plants.