Germans Develop Pincer Attack On Moscow

Northern Advocate, 7 October 1941, Page 5

Germans Develop Pincer Attack On Moscow

Armies North And South Try To Implement Hitler’s Boast

Russians Contesting Ground Stubbornly [British Official Wireless] (Received 11 a,in.) RUGBY, September (>. THE SOVIET COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT MIDDAY STATES THAT DURING THE NIGHT RUSSIAN TROOPS WERE ENGAGED ALONG THE ENTIRE FRONT, AND INFORMATION REACHING LONDON INDICATES THAT ALONG THE WHOLE LINE THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE IS BEING VERY STUBBORNLY FOUGHT. Except in tiie Leningrad area the German attack is being pressed, very heavily along the entire length of the front, especially in the central sector. Operations here are directed towards Moscow from both north and south. It was probably these attacks that Hitler referred to when he spoke of great operations which had started in “the last 48 hours.” Informed quarters in London state, that it appears that a specially long drive is being made in a northerly direction Irom Eoslavl' and. while emphasising the stubbornness of the Soviet armies’ resistance, state that the German army is making some progress along tile whole line.

“©© &r Bie™ Attempt

With many quarters believing that Hitler has committed himself to “'doing or dying" on the road to Moscow, tremendous public interest tonight centres on the progress of the latest German offensive, which is reported along the whole front with the exception of the Leningrad area. “The Times” military writer tonight declares that the offensive aimed at Moscow has made considerable progress despite strong Russian resistance. Swedish correspondents in Berlin describe the weight of the Luftwaffe attack preceding the new offensive as enormous, and Berlin claims that these attacks produced complete chaos among Russian communications behind the front.

Because Moscow is identified with the core of Russia’s spiritual and administrative resistance, observers tend to concentrate attention on the German two-pronged movement against the Soviet’s capital, but apparently the Germans are also endeavouring to smash towards important objectives in other sectors. It is even reported that the slackening off l'n the attack against Leningrad may be only relative because the latest Soviet despatches describe fierce fighting on the approaches to that city. Reuter's Moscow correspondent declares that despite enormous German troop concentrations in the Leningrad area the Russians believe - that the city is no longer under immediate threat of capture.

Baltic, Flees Not Estfeiag«ed

Communications are maintained with Leningrad by road and rail, and Leningrad’s industries are still carrying on despite considerable difficulties. The Red Fleet in the Baltic is also in no immediate danger. The Russians point out that unless the Germans unexpectedly score an enormous success they are faced with the task of keeping perhaps 1.000,000 men under inclement conditions in the Leningrad sector with their supply problems daily becoming increasingly difficult. The southern movement of the pincer action against Moscow is apparently based on Roslovl, and is unquestionably the stronger of the two movements, while the northern pincer arm is being' pushed from the area south of the Valdai hills. A heavy attack is also being di'r-

ected towards Kharkov, in the Ukraine. The Russians everywhere are stubbornly defending every inch of ground. The Russian Tass News Agency reported from Leningrad today that the Germans are making huge sacrifices in men and heavy equipment in attempts to smash Leningrad’s defence line. These attempts have been repeatedly repulsed.' The latest German communique states that the offensive operations on the eastern front brought fresh successes yesterday. The Germans repulsed landing attempts east of Leningrad by strong Soviet forces, supported by the Kronstadt naval batteries and coastal artillery. Simultaneously a violent attempt from within to break through the encirclement collapsed, and the enemy suffered heavy and bloody losses.

Earlier Counter-Offensive

Southern Offensive The Russians are reliably reported to have begun a counter-offensive on all sectors of the southern front, says the Ankara representative of the National Broadcasting Company of America. The Isthmus of Perekop, connecting the Crimea with the mainland is still the scene of fierce fighting. The Russians claim that the Germans have been unable even to dent the defenders’ line. Hie battle for Leningrad also continues with undiminished violence. The Russians claim that all German attempts to make progress at the approaches to the city have been defeated. At some points on the Leningrad front the Russian and German lines are only 20 yards apart. Russians Widen Gap The Stockholm correspondent of “The Times’’ says Tsarskoe Selo, 15 miles south of the city, is still in Russian hands, and there are no signs

that the Germans have regained the initiative around Leningrad. On the contrary, the Russians artbelieved to be widening the gap in the German ring, through which they are making contact with the Russian forces outside. Maintenance of the break would seriously jeopardise the German forces isolated towards Shusselburg. Paratroops Re-Form A correspondent-, describing a threeday battle at the approaches to Leningrad, said German concentrations of guns, tanks and trucks loaded with infantry were bombarded by Russian artillery. The Germans then used divebombers in an attempt to silence the artillery. Later the enemy made another attempt to go forward, but was driven back. The Soviet Army journal “Red Star” says that German parachute divisions from Crete have been re-formed after -resting, and are expected shortly to iaunch major operations.