Germans Admit “Terrible Russian Superiority”

Northern Advocate, 26 July 1943, Page 4

Germans Admit “Terrible Russian Superiority”

(Rec. 11 a.m.) LONDON. July 24. The Russians are maintaining intense pressure on many points of the Russiant front, according to German radio commentators, one of whom (Cornelius Pfeiffer) referred to "Russians’ terrible numerical superiority all along Orel sector.” He added that the Russians were making simultaneous attacks on a 123-mile front. Captain Ssrtorius stated that Russian pressure at Orel, already strong, has now greatly increased. They are using 1C divisions in Leningrad offensive and have employed more than 340 artillery batteries in a preliminary barrage before launching this offensive. Berlin radio reported heavy Russian attacks in Mius-Kuban sectors, where the Russians have achieved “temporary penetrations.” The Russians, according to British United Press Moscow correspondent, are forcing on in Byelgorod area, despite heavy German counter-attacks. Goebbcls’ satellite propoganda sources are playing up the strength of Russian attacks but Reuter’s Stockholm correspondent warns that it is an old Goebbels’ trick to exaggerate his opponents’ aims so he can subsequently proclaim that they have been frustrated. “Gay, Garrulous Fritzes” Paris radio soys that the. battle has risen to unprecedented ferocity. The Russians have massed so many men and such masses of materials that they are obviously seeking to force a decision this year. German prisoners in 1941 were haughty and untalkative. German prisoners in 1942 were bewildered, downcast and silent, but “you have never seen such gay, garrulous Fritzes as German prisoners of 1943," says “Izvestia” correspondent, who has been questioning 6000 prisoners captured at Orel. He added that prisoners were overjoyed because the war had ended for them. Battles on the eastern front are still increasing in intensity, declared Berlin radio. Practically the whole front is now involved in lighting. “The Russian High Command has obviously decided to make a gigantic effort and to strike out this summer.” The radio reported that the Russians have succeeded in breaching German lines east of the Neva. The radio said that the Russians attacked all day south of Lake Ladoga, where breaches made in the German lines were sealed off. White Sea Canal Attacked Today's Finnish communique states that the Russians, supported by intense artillery and mortar fire, yesterday attacked the White Sea Canal at three points in battalion strength, and by stubborn and continuous thrusts succeeded in penetrating our trenches, but later were thrown back. The Stockholm correspondent of the "Daily Express” says that the Germans lor the first time admit that it is “impossible to beat the Russians on the battlefield.” also that Germany henceforth will he forced on the defensive. Germans at Journey’s End These statements appear in "Essener National Zeitung” which, after analysing the situation on the Russian front, concludes that events have taken a turn which “excludes for both sides the possibility of decisive offensive action unless one side meets insuperable supply difficulties. All Germany now has to do is to retain her conquests and wait until Russia’s resources in men and material are exhausted.”

Epoch Marking Battle The well-known military expert, Max Werner, writing in “Reynolds News," says: “The battle for Orel is more than a battle for another city. It is a great test of forces which will determine the whole course of the campaign, and it. will give clear proof of the real relationship of the forces on the Russian front and the fighting capacities of both armies. “Orel is the last German stronghold on the central front and the junction of Germany’s central and southern armies, but the battle for Orel is only the beginning of a great series of battles in Russia. Russians Lay Low “Since February, the Red Army has done nothing but prepare for summer and autumn offensives. During February, the Russians conserved their major forces, using only two or five army groups, which are concentrated on, the southern front. It is almost certain that three other groups, numbering between 40 and 60 divisions, were withheld for new operations. The Final Avalanche “One day this summer, or autumn, these immense forces will strike, and never again will the German army achieve even temporary local superiority over the Russians, either numerically or in quality.’’ Investment of Orel The situation around Orel is developing quickly towards regular investment of the city. The German Command, says Reuter’s Moscow correspondent, is playing a dangerous game. No considerable number of German troops have been withdrawn from the Orel cul-de-sac. They are being hemmed in from three sides. The thrust from the south is progressing particularly well. It is crashing through extremely powerful defensive positions which have been built up for nearly two years. The Russians beyond Zmiekka are only 20 miles from Orel, and are advancing directly against the city along the Kursk-Grel railway.

Germans Retreating Everywhere Latest despatches from this sector say that the Germans everywhere are retreating and the same is true south ot Bolkhov. Many Germans are surrendering. This rarely occurred last year Strong Russian forces now stand along a salient 30 miles northwards, 10 miles north-eastwards, seven miles eastwards, and 20 miles southwards of Orel. Advanced mobile units are striking against German flanks considerably nearer some points.

Resistance Increases German resistance at Orel is increasing, the Gerrhans»-repeatedly counter-attacking with largo forces, usually consisting of 150 tanks, two to four infantry regiments, and several artillery batteries, supported by 20 or 30 bombers. However, all coun-ter-attacks have been beaten off and the Russians continue to advance. They have occupied several centres of resistance. East of Orel the Rusians continue to advance and have captured several inhabited localities. Our forces south of Orel captured 18 inhabited places. A detachment of Russian Guards on the Kalinin front broke into German trenches and maintained the new positions. The Germans, at great sacrifice, are holding on to the west flank of the corridor to Orel. One garrison, consisting of a regiment ana some artillery, fought for four days, and only 30 survived. Freak weather has slowed down the Russian advance on Orel. Heavy rainstorms turned the roads into strips of mud, and the nights have, turned bitterly cold.