SOVIET TANK FORCES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 4 August 1941, Page 5

SOVIET TANK FORCES

HEAVY ATTACK IN SMOLENSK AREA ATTEMPT TO SMASH ENEMY PREPARATIONS NAZI THRUST IN THE SOUTH Rec 11.30 am.' London, Aug. 3. While Russian tank forces are heavily attacking in the Smolensk area in an attempt to smash Germany’s preparations for a third great offensive, the Germans opened a new offensive on Kiev, driving from west and south-west in a pincers move. The Nazis advanced twenty miles from the west, but are held by the defenders at Koro‘Tycliev, 65 miles from Kiev. Determined Russian resistance is also J holding the second claw of the 1 pincers thrust at Byelaya Tserkov, 45 miles south-west of Kiev. i Military experts in London are asking whether Russian tank attacks in the central sector mark the start of a big Soviet counter-offensive. It is obvious the Russian commanders are convinced that the greatest weight of German equipment and manpower was used in the second offensive and have decided to throw in a heavy attack against the Germans in the Smolensk salient, while the German tactics are changing for a new offensive The "Sunday Express'* states that Hitler ordered that the German thrust must go forward before the Russian blow car be launched. It is a race between Germans and Russians to get ! m first with the next big offensive, adds the newspaper. Mr J. L. Garvin, writing in the “Observer.’ says: "After six weeks the Russians are holding out in a way thought unbelievable, because of their brilliant originality of tactical resource, which has been perfectly adapted to the interminable space of their country Thev have beaten the blitzkrieg proper —U.P.A.