SPRING CAMPAIGN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 5 February 1942, Page 5

SPRING CAMPAIGN

GERMAN PREPARATIONS PRODUCTION BEING SPEEDED UP Rugby. Feb. 3. The fact that it is now six weeks ; since Hitler assumed command of his armies on the Eastern Front is noted ;by “The Times” this morning. The paper says nothing has yet happened to show the advantage of intuitive strategy over the more humdrum methods of the general staff. The Soviet forces are still pressing the invaders backward at about the same steady pace as before the revolution in command- “ There are German leaders arc planning with all their formidable efficiency for a spring campaign,” says “The Times.” “In March the height of winter will be already past. The great thaws in April might make a movement of the front in either direction all but impossible. and in May the conflict will probably be resumed in conditions similar to those under which the first , great German eruption was achieved. “Production for the spring offensive is being screwed to its utmost output by the Germans, and the ranks of civil employment being combed yet more ruthlessly for reserves of fighting manpower. “After pressing back the Germans along the whole front during the past j two months, file Russian forces are j now entering territory which the enemy has had time to organise, and ] j in which his men have been able to 1 construct for themselves some protection against the weather. The ground that the Soviet troops will be placing immediately behind their advancing lines has been systematically ravaged by each side in turn. “As yet there is no sign of a German rout. Tlie enemy's withdrawal, however, is certainly not according to plan, the Russians having had to fight j stubborn actions for every important position they have recovered. Most ! important are those which the enemy would use as advance bases for lvs spring offensive.” The most dangerous sector, “The Times” considered, would likely prove to be in the south. It was here that the Germans had most to hope for. It was here that spring would first appear. and here that the road to the oil of the Caucasus lay- Marshal

Timoshenko’s drive into the Donctz Basin was thus particularly significant. Concluding, “The Times” says: “Our own part in these movements is not to sit back and applaud, for though Russian history is moving back behind the armies into the reconquered territory, and production is steadily improving. the Soviet Government still reports the urgency of maintaining the supply of British tanks. No effort will be spared to ensure that it shall not fail.”—B.O.W--INCESSANTFIGHTING APPROACHES TO SEBASTOPOL RUMANIAN DIVISIONS WIPED OUT <Rec. 12.40 p.m.) London, Feb. 4. Hie Kuibyshev radio says the Red Army on the south-western front has pierced the German system of defences both north and. Hie Germans are retreating with the Russians in close pursuit. Two Rumanian divisions, including some cavalry and armoured units, were completely wiped out in recent fighting in the Crimea. “Izvestia” (Moscow) says incessant fighting is raging in the mountains at the approaches to Sebastopol. The defenders are dealing the Germans heavy blows, workers defending the city shoulder to shoulder with the Red Army, the Navy, and women workers. Housewives are actively participating in the defence, digging trenches and helping to erect fortifications.—P.A.