Gigantic Pressure Maintained Against Leningrad

Northern Advocate, 16 September 1941, Page 5

Gigantic Pressure Maintained Against Leningrad

(Rec. 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 15 The German Commander (von Leeb), is maintaining gigantic pressure against Leningrad, and German despatches today referred to a “large penetration” of the outer defences, but significantly emphasised the extraordinary stubbornness with which the Russians are clinging to the ring of the most modern bunkers. It is now a week since the German High Command claimed to have reached the River Neva on a broad front and to have captured Shusselburg, but the claim seems at least premature. The railway connection between Leningrad and Moscow is apparently still intact, via Volmega, and Russian reinforcements reached the garrison after the Germans announced it was completely isolated. In Critical Position Nevertheless, while German stories of slow, if sure, progress in the Leningrad sector are not confirmed, and the fierce resistance of Leningrad’s defenders, both military and civil, is still undiminished, it is clear that the great city is in a critical position. New a new danger to the Russian armies has developed further south, where the Russian successive evacuations of Chernigov- and Kremenchus marks the development of the German pineer movement aimed at enveloping Kiev. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says Marshal Budenny’s forces, fighting doggedly, prevented the Germans continuing to advance after capturing the latter town, thus obstructing the development of the pincers movement aimed at Kharkov. Attacking- Inner Defences? Officials in Berlin state that von Leeb’s armies are now attacking Leningrad's inner defence rang of suburbs, but bad weather is hampering operations. The German news agency earlier announced that German tanks penetrated the modern fortifications before Leningrad and inflicted heavy casualties. A German communique says the encirclement of Leningrad is further closing in. Repeated counter-attacks by the enemy, supported by heavy tanks, are being broken, it is claimed. Like Battle of Britain British help for the Russians by air must be welcome now as air battles over Leningrad are approximating the Battle of Britain. Moscow today mention's one in which 100 enemy aircraft were engaged, of which 17 were destroyed and the remainder driven off. The transport of the Royal Air Force wing to Russia was a masterpiece of planning, says the “Evening News.” The equipment included lorries, tenders, staff cars, tens of thousands of gallons of special fuel, lubricants, many tons of ammunition, rations and millions of spare parts. The wing has also adequate reserves of planes in addition to pilots and has hundreds of ground staff.