VIOLENT BLOWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24104, 24 October 1941, Page 7

VIOLENT BLOWS

RUSSIANS' ATTACKS GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS PARACHUTISTS EMPLOYED LONDON, Oct. 22 "Russian troops have delivered a violent blow in the vicinity of Orel tand have inflicted heavy losses with a sobering effect on the invaders. Three German attempts to cross a river failed, and the Soviet forces have succeeded in pushing back the enemy masses at some places. A violent attack cleared the Germans from one town and the enemy left many dead. Ever-increasing tenacity hy the Soviet troops characterises the situation in the direction of Kalinin. The Germans managed to force a river in one sector, bnt a fierce counter-attack routed and annihilated the enemy detachment. Bitter fighting continues at the approaches to Kalinin. The .Moscow newspaper Pravda reiterates that the fierce resistance has slowed down the German advance toward Moscow. The Germans, seeking to break through with incessant divebombing and tank attacks, are throwing in fresh reinforcements and parachutists on a large scale. Very heavy i fighting is also going on in the south. A new Italian cavalry division is attacking the Donetz basin. The latest German communique states that German and allied troops have extended their occupation of the industrial area in the Donetz basin. The communique repeats the special announcement concerning the occupation of the Baltic islands and adds that the Finnish navy effectively supported the German naval forces. A Zurich report from the Finnish front says the Finns hare resumed the offensive, advancing chiefly along the Murmansk railway. The Berlin radio claimed the capture I of Yuri Korohkoff, described as one of | the highest officials of the Ogpii (Rusi sian secret police), who remained in the i occupied territory to organise sabotage. Official reports in Moscow state that 500 German aeroplanes were destroyed ! on the ground between October 11 and 18. Russian citizens arc now taking an oath to defend their country, "sparing neither my blood nor my life." In the Stalin sector the Russians still refer to fighting within the town, although the Germans claimed its capture some days ago. AMERICAN SUPPLIES BOSTON TO ARCHANGEL (Real. 7.10 p.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 22 The United States Maritime Commission announced to-day that all shipments of aid to Russia will henceforth leave via Boston and not via Pacific ports. The announcement states that alter next Tuesday aid to Russia will be shipped to Archangel, and Vladivostok will be abandoned as the main route. I The reason is believed to be that in addition to Boston the tinted bates ; will he able to use other port fan jties : 0 „ the east coast to handle the volume !of traffic The shipments will presumably cross the Atlantic. Ihe shortest I route to Russia is that to Archangel i Oil supplies will still be sent through I Vladivostok.