Russia Holds On

Northern Advocate, 17 November 1941, Page 4

Russia Holds On

ST is obviously unprofitable to place implicit faith in the reports of fighting in Russia supplied from either Russian or German sources, for the simple reason that operations extending over a vast battlefront cannot be adequately described in a short communique, while in any case a success achieved by a belligerent 1 in one sector of the struggle may be insignificant when surveyed in relation to the war as a whole. But, while these facts are conceded, there is nevertheless reason t’o accept Russian claims that the German onslaught has been checked substantially during the past week, and that, with the exception of the Crimea, the situation is more cheering from the Allies’ point of view. In the northern sector, winter’s vanguard has apparently made itself felt to good purpose, and there is evidence that the attack on Leningrad is being considerably interfered with. In the central sector, too, the Germans seem to be still a long way from securing the ancient Russian capital for use as winter quarters for their troops. This must be giving Hitler much concern, for no leader could contemplate with comfort the effect which a severe winter would have upon troops obliged to live in the open air. If Moscow is not occupied by Hitler before many days have passed the outlook for his troops will be poor indeed. At the moment there would appear to be a good chance that the Russians will successfully defend the capital, though it may be taken for granted that if they are obliged to retreat they will leave but a ruined city for the invaders. In the southern sector, there is apparently a slowing down of the enemy’s advance. Wintry conditions are coming quickly to the support of the Russians, but it is well known that the Crimea enjoys summer conditions for some time after the great expanse of Russia is experiencing freezing conditions. It is therefore not surprising that the Germans have been making progress in a peninsula the climate of portion of which has been likened to that of the Riviera. But, even in the Crimea, though the situation is frankly very serious, the Russians are showing resistance which promises to upset Hitler’s hopes of reaching the Caucasus oilfields this year. Too much reliance, of course, should not be placed upon this, for it is impossible to sum up the position accurately from the partisan evidence available. There is, however, room for hope that the Russians may be able to stem the tide of attack, which is of a terrific character.