Russian Power More Formidable Than a Year Ago

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 60, 12 March 1943, Page 6

Russian Power More Formidable Than a Year Ago

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Mar. 9. Commenting on the war in Russia, The Times states that, in the south, the characteristics of a Russian winter have now disappeared without much prospect of return, and the season being so abnormal the winter may also prove shorter than usual in the centre and north. '‘The general effect of the thaw,” continues The Times, “has been to deprive the Russians of the advantage inherent in their superiority in winter warfare and handicap them because their communications across the devastated country must be weaker than those of the Germans. But the past few months have proved that Russian offensive power is .far more formidable than a year ago, alike as regards numbers, armament and tactics. It has also revealed that none of the fortresses by which the Germans kept hold upon a vast extent of territory without a great expenditure of strength can any longer be considered immune from a successful assault. So far every one which has been resolutely attacked has fallen;’ ’ The Times says the consequence is wherever the Germans find themselves on the defensive they must keep reserves widely distributed. At the moment they have reinforced the whole front from the far north to the Sea of Azov, and the costly gyrations of Rommel in Tunisia can oniy be interpreted as a means of postponing the time when they will be compelled to draw upon their Russian reserves for other purposes.