GERMANS SLOWED DOWN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 199, 24 July 1941, Page 7

GERMANS SLOWED DOWN

TERRIFIC WARFARE RAGES DETOUR AT SMOLENSK ! 1 i I LONDON, July 23. The Germans admit to-night that their advances in the Leningrad and Moscow areas have been slowed down by a terrific battle. The Russians have big force* behind the invaders’ lines and the latter have peen forced to make a wide detour around Smolensk. , R L authoritatively stated that Smolensk is still in Russian hands—the Russian High Command have never admitted its capture, which the Germans claimed a week ago. It is stated that the Russians have thrown in fresh tank divisions irom Moscow. /

The Germans say the bloodiest, fighting of the campaign is going on along the whole front, declaring that the Russians have thrown in immense reserves.

Neither the Germans nor fhe Finns mention a new thrust apparently aimed at the Stalin Canal. All r( ports say the enemy have not yet re iched the outskirts of Leningrad and hat when they do they will meet t e stillest resistance yet encountered. The Russians claim anotl ur success against a German convoy,, but they do not say where. To-night’s Russian communique speaks ot tierce resistance I the Germans on all fronts, with no important chauge in any sector. I Berlin complains that tile Russians are setting up an unexpected _ precedent by attacking and defending at the sarno time. / The Russians claim to Ilave broken up a German armoured <f>lumn with heavy losses to the enemy’ The Archbishop of Canterbury, in an .article, says the Russians’ defence of their own homeland may indicate a new tolerance for religion- He declares that they are deserving of all possible help. I •

SOVIET AIR RAIDS. (Rec. 10.40 a.m.) RUGBY, July 23. The Russian morning communique states: “During the nigjitt of July 2223 our troops continued lilieir stubborn fighting in the Petrozavodsk, Porkov, Smolensk, and Jitomir directions. In other sectors nothing of importance occurred. . oThe'Soviet air force inflicted blows on motorised and mechanised units and enemy aerodromes. During July 22 and the night of July 22-23 39 enemy planes were destroyed in aerial combat, and during raids on enemy aerodromes a quantity of planes, the number of which, is being ascertained, were set on fire. Our losses were 17 places.” —Official W ireless. NEW DRIVE EAST. POSSIBLE MOVE FOR OIL. (Rec. 12 noon) LONDON, July 23. Authoritative quarters in London agree that the secojid German thrust on Leningrad, Moscow,, and Kiev has spent itself, with the Russians maintaining their resistance on practically all fronts. Point to ihis contention is given b.y. the statement oi the Gentian High Command spokesman: . “It is bettor now for us 10 stay put in Russia for the time being. Vi e do not intend to cross natural obstacles, sucii as rivers and marshes, but to take advantage of them to impede the retreat of the enemy.” ■■ Simultaneously Berlin officials warned foreign correspondents not to expect sensational communiques for the next few days. The lull in the German drive is provoking speculation in London as to whether Germany may attack in the Middle East, sending troops through Turkey—with or without permission —in an attempt to seize the oilfields stretching from Baku to Iran. The Daily Express’s Stockholm correspondent and the Daily Herald s diplomatic correspondent both declare that Germany is bringing strong pressure on Turkey to co-operate with the Axis and thus provide a/ passage ior the Herman armies. ' 'the Express correspondent reports that British officers from Iraq and Teheran arrived recently to establish with the Rusisan authorities headquuriers for the defence oi the l>u,ku oilfields. r Military observers point out that the Russian ’campaign must have severely drained the German fuel sup plies, which have not been replaced. A drive cast in ail attempt to seize the great oil basin from Baku to Iran would, therefore, not be surprisingODDS ON RUSSIA. WINTER AS AN ALLY. MONTREAL, July 23. The belief that Russia can defeat Germany was expressed by the noted British economist, Sir George Paish, i an interview with the Canadian I ress. He said; “Russia lias a strong army, a verv strong airfleet, and excellent navies in the Baltic and Black keas. The Russian morale is high. If winter comes the Germans will be beaten. Sir George jPaish said he saw no world menace of Oimmumsm in tfic event of a Russian victory • Communism has bectij abandoned by the } Russians because it will not work, he added. “Russia is now a co-operative Rtite- large wages are paid to those Who J“Sl”jo( thorn.',,,Ul the farm co-operative schemes give the workers a share of the profits. ’