German Attacks Repulsed

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 93, 21 April 1942, Page 5

German Attacks Repulsed

Russians Take Further Positions

HEAVY NAZI LOSSES IN THE AIR (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, April 20. Continued minor Russian gains and the repulse of German attacks were the main features of yesterday’s activity on the Russian front. The Soviet Air Force made further successful attacks on enemy vehicles and gun positions. Unnamed fortified positions were captured on the central front in two sectors. On the north-western front the Germans were dislodged from a forest in which they were concentrated for attack. Here the Russians took 27 pillboxes. On another part of the same front a German attack was defeated and the attackers’ headquarters destroyed by artillery fire. Pravda states that another German attack on the southern front in which aircraft andtanks co-operated closely was repulsed by Russian artillery. Kuibyshev messages say that Russian parachute troops landing in the enemy’s rear are capturing settlements and wrecking communications and supply trains. Pravda predicts further activity by parachute troops as the weather improves. With summer weather, the Germans are again making mass attacks, with up to 50 aircraft swooping on one objective, and using more planes than at any time during the last four months.

The virtual wiping-out of the entire air personnel of the Luftwaffe which entered the Russian war is claimed by General Grendahl, of the Soviet Air Force, in an article in the Krasnayazveda, reports the Kuibyshev correspondent of the Times. General Grendahl says that the Luftwaffe is now using pilots and crews with less training and battle experience. The operations against the Russians are divided into three periods. The first was till the end of August, which was characterised by sudden attacks against Russian aerodromes and troops and in which the Luftwaffe lost 7200 planes and 20,000 men. The second period was till the end of November, which was characterised by battles between the opposing air forces, the Luftwaffe losing 5000 planes and between 12,000 and 15,000 men. The third period was till the end of March, when the Russians clearly had the upper hand. The Luftwaffe then lost 38,000 men, which is believed te be more than its original strength. According to prisoners, the Germans have 74 pilot schools, each with 150 pupils who train for only from three to six months.

The Moscow radio reports that the Russian Air Force bombed a German headquarters on the central front and killed 28 staff officers.