NEW OFFENSIVE

Grey River Argus, 3 June 1942, Page 5

NEW OFFENSIVE

NORTH-WEST OF. MOSCOW,

A Start Indicated

KHARKOV SECTORS QUIETER.

LONDON, June 1. The Soviet Headquarters stated that nothing of importance occurred on Sunday night. According to reports reaching Stockholm from Russian sources, the Germans are determinedly attempting to break through Zhukov’s positions on the Kalinin front. German tanks protected by large air formations, and followed by masses of infantry, thrice attacked in the past few days. v ßec. 9.5.) LONDON, June 1. Further large-scale fighting is expected in the sector of the Russian front under command of General Zukhov, who was the defender of Moscow. The Russians admit that the Germans are attacking on the Kalinin front with the object of breaking through. The Germans are attacking with tanks, which have Luftwaffe support. The fighting in General Zhukov’s sector is expected to go on around the Viazma-Gjatsk-Rjev sack. The Russians have accumulated large forces around the Viazma-Rjev sack.

The Germans have concentrated strong forces against General Zhukov's forces, particularly through Smolensk and Veliki-Yeluku. These are converging railways, which favour the Germans. The Russians are operating in country that has no railways, but with the Smolen'sk-Moscow motor load artery as their only good road. German reconnaissance units including tanks, have also been trying for a fortnight to find out the Russian front line strength, particularly in the region from the Valdai Hills down to Rjev. South-east of that region Russian forces a few months ago captured Nikitinka, the terminus of a forty-mile branch line of the Smolensk-Viazma railway. The Russians also months ago captured Dorogobuj, terminus of a fifteenmile branch line opposite to Nikitinka, making the neck of the sack narrowest at this point. The Germans have throughout re--sisted the winter attempts of the Russians to pinch through here and encircle forward German units.

A fierce battle appears to be inevitable when either side makes a determined move.

In the Leningrad area some of the roads are still under water. The Kharkov-Kursk black soil area is not yet satisfactorily dry for fighting. The Germans are massing strong forces on the Smolensk-Vyaz-ma railway. Russian preparations in this sector are also well advanced. The Kalinin sector is now the most active of all.

“The Times” said heavy fighting continued in the Izyum region and nearer Kharkov, also nearer Azov Sea. This is in spite of the German claim that the battle of Kharkov has been won. Another stage lies ahead, “The Times” says. Moscow “Red Star” stated Russian troops are consolidating 400 points taken during the drive towards Kharkov. There are no details of the fighting in the Izyum area, south of Kharkov. The /8.8. C. observer in Moscow (Mr Paul Winterton)., says the Germans lare still striving to cross the Dopetz River. They are being pounded bv Russian mortars. On the west bank, 2,000 Germans came up to the river, but heavy mortars opened fire and they were sent back. GERMAN CLAIM. NEARLY QUARTER MILLION PRISONERS. LONDON, June 1. The first phase of the Summer campaign in Russia is apparently over. The “Yorkshire Post” says: The inference to be drawn from the gigantic German claims is that either the Germans grossly exaggerated their success or that the Russian reserves are immensely stronger than anyone supposed. If the Russians lost three armies at one blow (the Germans claim to have taken 240,000 prisoners in the Kharkov sector?, and still yielded little ground, the prospect is blaek for the Germans.

Enemy Drive

RENEWED AT KHARKOV. (Rec. 12.35). LONDON, June 2. The Vichy radio claims that the Germans have ahmehed a new drive and have recaptured Tamilovska, eight miles north-east of Kharkov. LONDON “TIMES” COMMENT. LONDON, June 1. “The Times” says: The balance of advantage depends in a large • degree upon the scale of resources in men and material, which the Germans were compelled to commit to this battle. As a result of Marshal Timoshenko’s initiative, the Russians can alford to wait, whereas the Germans have repeatedly announced that the final decision would very shortly be reached. Failure to reach it, in itself, would be’ tantamount to a major defeat. The opposing forces are now 1 more evenly 'matched. The general impression that the Russian offensive was undertaken to forestall the German offensive against the Caucasus, is confirmed by the latest Soviet announcement. “The Times” continues: The danger to the Russians was increased by the success of the Gerri, an operation which drove them from their bridgehead on the Crimean Peninsula. To interrupt the enemy’s plans, to draw in his reserves to the greatest possible extent, rather than capture Kharkov or any other territorial objective, was the aim of Marshal Timoshenko. The German assault on Kerch certainly was a prelude to more extended operations. No such operations have yet been attempted. And though, they may eventually be carried out, it is hardly probable that the enemy will be in a position to put them in train for some time to come.

A news agency correspondent states he visited “Britanski Tankograd” (British Tank Town), which has grown up behind the Russian lines. This "town” is composed of row after row of Matildas and Valentines, with - sturdy Russian tank, troops manning them. Colonel Ivan Shapovalov is commander of a Red Army tank brigade equipped exclusively with. British tanks. “The period of training,” said Colonel Shapovalov, “has ended and the real business is beginning. This is not the first Soviet brigade equipped with British tanks, or the last. More Britishbuilt armoured fortresses are coming along.”