SUPERIOR STAMINA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 197, 22 July 1941, Page 5

SUPERIOR STAMINA

SOVIET WILL HOLD OUT.

TITANIC STRUGGLE

(United Press Association—Copyright.) (llec. 12 noon) LONDON, July 21 All reports from Russia and the comments of military writers in London emphasise the Red Army’s high confidence in its struggle against the German invaders. Jt is considered in London that the results of tiie month’s fighting justify tile belief that the Russians will outlast the Germans in the titanic struggle in which every modern weapon, •sabotage, and vitriolic propaganda ie being used on a scale never before contemplated. Tt is expected that the next few days will bo critical in the defence of Moscow and will show whether the Russians are able merely to delay the Germans or stop them. Moscow had an air raid alert this morning lasting 40 minutes, but no incidents are reported. The German communique states that German, Rumanian, and Hungarian triops are pursuing the beaten loe in tbo southern sector. Further progress has been made on the other fronts and several encircled enemy groups have been destroyed.

The German News Agency claims that a Russian division at Mohilev was wiped cut on July 19 after fierce resistance and despite unfavourable weather. German troops in the northern sector defeated the remnants of five Russian divisions, killing 4000. A German division in the central sector encircled strong Russian detachments. The Gothenburg Poston’s Berlin correspondent, quoting informed circles, says many of the best German planes have been removed from the Russian front westwards; increased activity against England is expected. It is also learned that America’s intenvontion is necessitating Germany allocating more planes for the Battle of the Atlantic.

GERMAN EVASIVENESS.

TALK OF “LONG-RANGE” POLICY. LONDON, July 21. German sources do not appear to bo expecting immediate sensational developments, but they are busily harping on the German High Command’s “long-range” policy requiring “extensive and complicated preparations,” though the declare that the Russians arc retreating everywhere. Comment from German and neutral sources tends to confirm the impression that the German advance has again been checked. Moscow mentions fighting in sectors 60 and 140 miles behind the farthest point claimed by .the Germans.

American commentators state that the failure of the High Command in the week-end to announce big successes has caused disappointment among the German people. It was the first weekend since the campaign began without claims or promises of spectacular victories.

The Romo News Agency quotes unconfirmed reports of a violent battle eastward of the Dniester River, where Germans and Rumanians are claimed to have reached the Stalin Line at last.

The Times correspondent on the German frontier says that, iri spite of all their advances, the Germans are not appreciably nearer their goal, while their appalling losses in men, mechanised units and materials, and also their transport difficulties arc increasing, raising serious misgivings in Germany about the worth of the ultimate outcome of the war. Hitler is known to have sent 25 oi his .30 armoured divisions to the Eastern Eront and at least seven

have already been put out of action. The military correspondent of the Times says it is scarcely doubtful that the Germans have now entered Smolensk, and they arc apparently staking all upon the capture of Moscow. The thrust through. Pskov toward Leningrad lias apparently hung lire since the Russian counter-offensive; however, this does not imply that the serious danger to Leningrad is lightened.

The progress of the Finns on cither side of Lake Ladoga also constitutes a sharp threat, ana it may be accentuated by the German advance in Northern Estlionia, of which little lias been heard lately. Swedish war correspondents say that the Finns “failed by a hair’sbreadth to cut off the Russian 54th Division in. the region of Pielisjarvi. The Hussions are resisting very strongly.” The speaker of the Finnish Parliament declared that Finland’s only aim in warring against Russia was to liberate the Finns in Eastern Karelia. “Finland has no fantastic dreams," he SU ’ NAZIS AT VARIANCE.

The Moscow radio stated that it was learned from .well-inlonned circles in Berne that a great difference of opinion has arisen between the German Generals about the conduct of the military operations, especially against Russia. A number ol Generals opposed the ideas of Hitler’s staff, and they are now fulfilling their duties solely because of military discipline. Generals Liszt and Riehonau and other ardent advocates of the blitzkrieg theory expressed sharp differences of opinio'n at a conference on the eve of the attack against Russia. Some pointed out the inevitability of a drawn-out, exhausting campaign which would possibly lead to a crash for Germany, and it was significant that the blitzkrieg experts took this view. Field-Marshal Goering and the most prominent of the other aviation leaders also opposed Hitler’s adventure. Finally, General Thomas, chief of the High Command’s military and economic department, sided with the dissentients.

Hitler, who decided to move in spite of the opposition, took reprisals against the opposing Generals. He removed Field-Marshal Goering. General Riehonau, and a number of other Generals from their posts.

The Moscow radio says that the agreement between the Czechoslovakian and Russian Governments rings tile death-knell for Hitler. The ancient friendship between the two peoples has now been sealed in the common task of lil>erating Czechoslovakia.