SMOLENSK'S DEFENCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIII, Issue 236, 3 September 1943, Page 5

SMOLENSK'S DEFENCE

NETWORK OF HEDGEHOGS. STIFF ENEMY RESISTANCE. (N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, Sept. 2. ' The Russians, driving along the railway from Yelnia, are now lower than 40 miles from Smolensk, says Reuter's Moscow correspondent. The Germans are putting up a stiff resistance from a network of hedgehog fortifications defending the city.

Although the evacuation of the Voroshilovgrad region is an indication of the strength of the Russian efforts in the south, the Berlin radio's commentator (Captain Sertorius) declares the Russians are. mainly intent on clinching the assault against Bryansk. "The enemy is making an immense effort to capture Bryansk with pincer movements north arid north-west of Sievsk and west of Shizdra." ' The Times Stockholm correspondent says that the Smolensk defence line now rests on three rivers, theSoj, the Upper Dnieper and the Vop. The Russians have already crossed the Upper Dnieper but still have to force the Vop, which is not a formidable barrier. Nevertheless, it is very premature to consider that Smolensk faces capture because there is no indication that the Rus- ' sians intend a frontal assault. The Germans certainly have long prepared strong positions behind the present front. It now appears certain that they intend, if pressed, to retire to them for the winter, near or along the Dnieper, but not before the winter because it would enable the Russians to establish advance bases and restore the railways before the ground is frostbound. The London Times, in a leader, says that nobody, least of all the Germans, expected that v the Red Army was capable this summer of such exertions after all it has endured and all the economic handicaps under which Russia is fighting. The Germans are trying to console and hearten themselves by asserting that Russia is exhausting herself with her last effort, but many last efforts have been ascribed to the Russians. THE DONBAS VICTORY.

The newspaper Izvestia, describing how the latest Russian drive burst through the German Donbas line, says reconnaissance planes photographed the defence system which was studied in detail. Russian tanks struck at a point chosen for the break-through. Motorised infantry followed and then cavalry poured into the breach. The German defences were tackled from the flank and from the rear and soon the whole became dislocated. Fighting was bitter but split into several independent engagements, the enemy command having early in the operation lost grip of the situation. Krasnyluch (52 miles east of Stalino) fell when two Russian columns after sharp fighting outflanked and threatened to encircle the town. The Berlin radio says the Russians are planning large-scale landings in the Kuban area. This was discovered following the capture of a reconnaissance officer who camo ashore near Novorossisk.