NO DIMINUTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24084, 1 October 1941, Page 7

NO DIMINUTION

INTENSITY. OF FIGHTING REPULSE OF GERMANS RETREAT NEAR BRYANSK LONDON, Sept. SO Russian reports of major operational activities on the Russo-Ger-man front continue to be meagre, probably reflecting some diminution in the scale of fighting, but certainly 'not in its ferocity nor intensity. Changes in' the relative positions of the opposing forces include a slight give-and-take of ground in the Leningrad area, and also some further in-, dentation of the once thick Smolensk wedge, which recently lost its regular shape as a result of Marshal Timoshenko's counter-attacks, particularly around Yelnia, where his successes were somewhat extended during the week-end. The Soviet Information Bureau last night stated that the forces of the German leader, General Guderian, were still retreating following their recent repulse near Bryansk and the Russians had recaptured two more villages. It added: "Highways and villages retaken by the Bed Army in this sector are littered with the wreckage of German tanks." The bureau says Genera! Guderian is withdrawing south-westward and has tried to establish a new line, but Marshal Timoshenko's units have worsted the German rearguards. Half the German 73rd motorised infantry regiment, which unsuccessfully attempted to defend one village, consisted of youths of 18 who had reached the front the previous week. In a seven-day tank battle in the Leningrad sector the Germans are reported to have lost in killed or wounded 1500 officers and men. The commander of the Russian forces in. Iran said that Leningrad was still the critical point on the Russian front.

LACK OF ENTHUSIASM AIDING, GERMANS IN WAR FEW SWEDISH VOLUNTEERS (Heed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 29 . The failure of German propaganda and pressure to e\-oke any practical enthusiasm for her war against Russia, either in countries like Rumania and Bulgaria, which she virtually controls, or in other European countries on which for geographical or political reasons she is able to exert her influence, has already been shown, says the British official wireless. Recent news from Sweden has given further evidence of the Germans' failure in this respect. Commenting on the paucity of "crusaders" in Sweden who % <?re found willing to join the German campaign against Russia, the Manchester Guardian says: "In July the Swedish Government refused to have ® Swedish volunteer corps organised J the Germans on Swedish soil. All that a Swede- could do, if he wanted to serve Hitler, was to seek permission to lea\e his country and then volunteer. -P to September 2 there had been only ■-> applications. Each applicant had a merman document certifying that he panted to join the German army* and , e Swedish Government rejected ali the applications. Very few more appear to have ap- ? r °ached the Germans directly in Finin order to serve in that country, ne would not expect anything else rom Sweden, an honest, self-respecting, ree om -l° v ing folk. The Germans do Dot hke it."

active patrolling forces at tobruk rp, _ . LONDON, Sept. 30 _ e wiro communique states that iirmg Saturday night Empire patrols ; the southern sector of Tobruk penera e wire defences and attacked a. ro,) g post, inflicting a number of asua ties. In the same sector Empire i ery yesterday engaged and diseased enemy working parties, in the frontier area also Empire 8 mg patrols continued to harass the snemy.