Germans Have Strong Prepared Positions

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 209, 3 September 1943, Page 5

Germans Have Strong Prepared Positions

Received Thursday, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 2. Although the evacuation of the Voro •hilovgrad 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 pincers north and northwest of Sievsk and west of Zhizdra.' ’ The Times' Stockholm correspondent says the Smolensk defence line now rests on the three rivers, Soj, Upper Dnieper and 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 immediate capture because there is no indication that the Russians intend a frontal assault. The Germans certainly have long prepared strong positions behind the present front. It now appears certain they intend, if pressed, to retire to them for the winter, near or along the Dnieper, but not before 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 nobody, least of all the Germans, expected that the Red Army was capaole this summer of such gigantic 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.