SECOND STAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 192, 16 July 1941, Page 8

SECOND STAGE

GERMAN OFFENSIVE

RUSSIAN NEWS GOOD

(United Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 15. The second stage of the German offensive has evidently reached its most violent intensity. German positional claims appear at least

premature, but it does appear that the Germans and Finns are concentrating large forces in the offensive against Leningrad and, more important, against the Red Fleet based on Kronstadt The latest Russian communique says there have been no substantial changes in the northern land front and even the Germans are

very vague about the operations in the region of Lake Peipus.

Tallinn remains in Russian hands with presumably the most northern part of Estbonia. A German News Agency claims that the advance towards Leningrad continues without a halt. The Germans captured the Easternmost Stalin Line fortifications in the Vitebsk area and conclusively frustrated Russian attempts to establish a defensive line behind the riddled •Stalin Line.

In the Dnieper and Dvina area the Russians rushed up mixed forces, including strong tank units, to close the gaps, but the dissolution of the Russian divisions continues.

The Luftwaffe effectively bombed the road from Smolensk to Moscow and the railway network in that area. Hungarians advancing in SouthWestern Ukraine and Rumanian troops reoccupied most ot Bessarabia and will soon regain tho remainder. There is no confirmation of the German claim regarding Bessarabia and 'it appears from the evidence on both sides that the Rumanians are still on the defensive in the Danube delta and at least in Southern Bessarabia. EXCELLENT REORGANISATION.

The Telegraph's Stockholm correspondent points out that the Russian reorganisation of the past week is even superior to the Germans'. The Russian railways are still working

adequately. The Soviet's main armies, hitherto held in reserve, are ready for the approaching gigantic struggle. The general mobilisation is nearly complete. None of the German photographs of captured material portrays the latest types of Russian tanks and artillery. Supporting the Russian contention that the most efficient weapons have been reserved for the counter-stroke when the enemy have been enticed far into the country with long vulnerable lines of communication, a million first-rate Soviet troops in the, Leningrad area alone have not yet! been thrown into the front line. The

Russians should hold the Germans

In the Pskov region Narva remains in Russian hands. The latest evidence confirms that the push from Finland to Leningrad will not begin seriously until the Germans have occupied Esthonia.

M. Lozovsky, replying to an inquiry by the Iranian Ambassador, said tho Government did not contemplate leaving Moscow because there was no reason for such a move.

CHANGED

ATMOSPHERE.

(Rec. 2.25 p.m.) LONDON, .July 15. , The Telegraphy Syria correspondent says: The changed atmosphere resulting from the Acre agreement was noticeable, at Haifa last night. The general feeling is one of relief that the distasteful situation has ended. '1 his sentiment pervaded the entry of the Allied troops into Beirut. It was not the entry of a victorious arniy but of representatives of a nation resuming former friendly relations. Germau threats of a heavy air. raid on Haifa, and also a warning to thoi Arabs to leave the town, were entirely disregarded by the residents. j

The Times says the Syrian campaign restores the military and political situation existing in the Eastern -Mediterranean before the capitulation of France. The effect on Turkish policyshould be important. In Berlin it is officially stated that the end of the Syrian campaign does not prove that France is unable to defend her colonies.