Battlefields of Mud and Slush

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 49, 27 February 1943, Page 5

Battlefields of Mud and Slush

Received Friday, 11 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 26.

la Russia there has been fierce fighting north of Stalino where the early thaw has turned the battlefield into a sea of mud and slush.

Reports from Berlin and Moscow agree that the fighting is increasing in intensity in the whole area west and north-west of Rostov, as the Germans throw in reserves in an attempt to hold up the Russian advance. The Russians state that the Germans are continually counter-attacking with the support of strong tank and air forces. No doubt a major engagement is progressing west and south-west of Moscow, where the Germans report that the Russians are attacking in force. Moscow is silent regarding this sector, which is customary in the opening phases of all important thrusts. Russian gains in this area would imperil Rjev, Bryansk and Orel, which are anchor points of the German winter line.

The Stockholm correspondent of the Times says that the scale and intensity of the battle for Orel are rapidly increasing. Hard fighting is going on north and south of Orel, the battle for which appears to be reaching its climax. The correspondent adds that the indications point to really large scale Russian operations west of Moscow, where massed artillery and armoured units are reported to be in action. Russian preparations behind smokescreens in the Viazma and Rjev areas indicate that these are likely to become active battle zones. The Germans here are more heavily fortified than on any other part of the front and can only be shifted by massed artillery. The Russians for a year have been accumulating guns and shells on this relatively quiet front. Operations on the Lake Ilmen front have really gathered intensity, and this whole area is now very active. The Russians are attacking on broad fronts north and south of the lake, while operations are probably occurring across the lake, whose ice still bears moderately heavy traffic. Russian reports continue to emphasise that 31 German divisions have been transferred to Russia from France, the !Low Countries and Norway in the last three months, while the Luftwaffe is continually bringing up planes from France, Germany and North Africa. In the Kuban region the Soviet forces are only 40 miles from the Sea of Azov.