Russians Have Efficient New Armies For Use In Summer

Northern Advocate, 9 March 1942, Page 4

Russians Have Efficient New Armies For Use In Summer

("Received 1.30 p.m.) , LONDON, March 8. THE VIEW THAT THE GERmAn SPRING OFFENSIVE IN 1 RUSSIA WAS DOOMED TO FAILURE WAS EXPRESSED BY A SENIOR OFFICER OF THE ALLIED FORCES, WHO FOR MANY YEARS WAS MILITARY ATTACHE IN MOSCOW, SAYS A CAIRO MESSAGE.

He said conversations with Russian generals in the last few days had confirmed the opinion that the Russian army now attacking the Germans is a winter army, largely recruited from the areas of Siberia where the inhabitants are habituated to severe winter conditions. When spring comes this army will be withdrawn and will be replaced by a summer army of fresh troops, well-trained and well-equipped, which already is ready for action.

If Germany makes a supreme effort she may be able to gain initial successes, and may even push the Russians back to the Volga, but she will not get any further.

Confuse German Efforts

Russian infiltration tactics as a prelude to clearing up operations are now apparently being applied to the. large area southwards of Lake liman, confusing German efforts to bring from the Baltic region relief for the encircled 16th German army at Staraya Russa. “The Times” Stockholm correspondent says the latest reports show that the Russians are massing further strong forces farther southward behind the Kholm marshes, which are stiil frozen. The Germans are expecting further powerful thrusts in this vicinity and they are attempting to disturb the preparations by dive-bombing. Russian fighters are shooting down many of the dive-bombers.

10,000 Square Miles Threatened The Moscow radio announced that units of the Red Army are closing in on the Smolensk-Vyazma highway and are now within 50 miles of each other, threatening to cut off nearly 10,000 square miles of German-occupied country. During the last three days 10 inhabited places have been reoccupied and 1500 Germans killed on the Smolensk front. The weight and pertinacity of the Russian attacks are causing the Germans to draw heavily on reserves, says “The Times” correspondent in Moscow. Noose Tightens New forces from Spain and France are now engaged in a great battle on the river Volkhov for the relief of Leningrad. The Russians are tightening the noose on Staraya Russa. German counter-attacks aided by airborne troops have been frustrated. A Soviet communique, quoted by the British Official Wireless, states: “Our troops continued their offensive operations on Friday, and, repelling counter-attacks, occupied a number of villages in several sectors. The previous day 79 enemy aircraft were destroyed in aerial combats, by antiaircraft. fire and on the ground. Wo lost 14 aeroplanes.” Moscow messages report counterattacks by the encircled 16th German Army at Staraya Russa with reinforcements brought by air have been frustrated. Both sides are using more and more aircraft. The Russians are attacking German transports and air-craft-carrying reserves and supplies and bombed an enemy aerodrome, destroying 25 aeroplanes on the ground. Several aeroplanes were destroyed in the air yesterday.

Advance Continues

Meanwhile the Soviet forces are pressing on past Yukhnov, where they routed three German infantry divisions. They are also advancing on the Kalinin front.

A Soviet communique received later states: “During last night our troops continued their offensive operations in several sectors of the fronts against the German Fascists. On one sector of the central front our men in one day’s fighting accounted for 250 Germans.

“On another sector of the same front the enemy launched a counterattack against our positions. It was met by fierce fire and the enemy retreated, leaving on the battlefield several hundred dead. In one sector of the south-west front, during a battle for a village, the enemy lost 200 men.”