STRATEGIC CENTRE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 195, 19 July 1941, Page 7

STRATEGIC CENTRE.

SMOLENSK’S TURBULENT DAYS.

Situated on the Dnieper River, the town of Smolensk, which the Nazis claim to have captured, is the administrative centre of the province tearin" the same name, and is on a plateau which is heavily entrenched from the north and south. At the last census Smolensk had a population of 71,177. It owes its development to its position as a railway junction for five lines. The town lias many industries, which include copper and iron smelting, tho making of machinery, sawmilling, and the making of woollen goods. Since the revolution a university- has teen established. Smolensk is one of the oldest towns of Russia and was mentioned by an. ancient authority as the chief town of tho Slav tribe of the Kriviehis and •was situated on a great commercial route. It had trade with Constantinople in the 11th Century. In 1408 Smolensk was annexed by Lithuania and 41 years later Moscow princes renounced their claims upon the town. Nevertheless, it was a constant source of contention between Lithuania and Russia for many years. In 1514 the town came under Russian domination again, but during the disturbance of 1611 was captured by Poland, only to bo retaken l>v the Russians in 1654. In 1680 it was definitely annexed by Russia and during the military operations of Peter the Great in his wars agai.nst Sweden during the 18th century played an important role. The town was captured by the French in 1812 during their war with Russia.