THE RED ARMY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 31 December 1941, Page 5

THE RED ARMY

HEAVY ATTACKS IN UKRAINE HARASSING ENEMY REAR GOOD WORK BY PARATROOPS (Rec. 10.5 a.m.) London. Dec. 30. According to Berlin, the heaviest Russian attacks are in the Ukraine toward Kharkov. The tew available details of this resumed attack show that Kharkov is already almost within hearing of Soviet artillery. The brunt of this fighting is reported to have been borne by the motley Viking Division, which had been planned to consist entirely of Norwegians but instead contains also German, Danish, Finnish, Flemish and Dutch volunteers. The "lied Star” correspondent on the central front describes the landing of Soviet parachutists in the rear of the German forces. He said the parachutists. after their descent, destroyed telegraph and telephonic communication between enemy units, blew up bridges and blocked all roads of retreat. Enemy U-nks. lorries, a: :1 armoured cars seeking to bypass these wrecked bridges floundered and stuck in the snow, whereupon the parachutists, hiding in the woods, annihilated the German soldiers with autor.atic rifles and also set fire to and blew up lorries and tanks. Encountering a big column of German motorised units escorted by German tanks and armoured cars, the

! Russian parachutists allowed some 1 units to pass, after which they attacked the centre and rear of the convoy with incendiary bullets. The Germans in the darkness could not make out their attackers and each end of the column opened fire on the other. These parachutists in nine days blew up 29 bridges, burned out 48 lorries, two tanks and two staff cars, destroyed a great quantity of ammunition and wiped out 400 Germans, after which they rejoined the advancing Red Army. Soviet forces are pressing on to the relief of the Leningi-ad garrison. A correspondent says that in the battles in this area 600 Germans were wiped out by one Russian unit in 20 hours. The Berlin radio admitted a breakthrough by Soviet cavalry at one point in the Moscow' sector. The “Investia” says that on the j sc.uth-western front within six days the Russians have liberated 106 populated centres from the invaders. The Tass News Agency claims that the German headquarters on the Kalinin front has been captured. There is no indication that the Germans have been able to stabilise their line, says the agency, and instead of the so-called "withdrawal according to plan” there has been disorderly retreat. The "Pravda” says that the Italians ou the Russian front are showing a poor spirit and that troops are surrendering every day, either singly or ir groups. The overwhelming majority I of them say they do not want to fight j the Red Army. RUSSIAN REINFORCEMENTS It is reported from Stockholm that j the Russians are receiving reinforce- [ ments from Siberia, Turkestan and i Caucasia.

i Caucasia. The Berlin radio says the Russians are attacking in several sectors on the southern front and used horse-drawn sledges. The correspondent of “Pravda" on the Moscow front describes a broadcast from the front line to German troops. A loudspeaker was set up 300 yards from the enemy lines one evening and addresses were given by German prisoners. These were followed by a Russian communique telling of Red Army successes. The Germans did not fire during the broadcast and two hours later the Russians launched an attack hurling back German regiments several miles. —U.P.A. and 8.0. W. RUSSIAN WOMEN CALL “UNITE ON ONE FRONT” MESSAGE FROM KUIBYSHEV Rugby, Dec. 29. A message to the women of Britain and the United Stales, which has been sent by a general meeting of women in the city of Kuibyshev, included a statement that the women of the Soviet Union are doing everything in their power to help the Soviet army. “We are taking the place of men who have left for the front,” the message states. It continues. “Dear friends and sisters, we cal) upon you to unite in one anti-Fascist front, to unite all your forces to combat the worst enemy of mankind—Hitlerism. Long live the unshakeable unity of the women of our great countries in the struggle against hated Fascism. We are fighting for a righteous cause, for the triumph of liberty, justice and democracy. The enemy will be defeated, and victory will be ours.”-—8.0.W.