TANKS' EXPLOITS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24106, 27 October 1941, Page 7

TANKS' EXPLOITS

GERMANS AMBUSHED COLUMN SMASHED FIGHTS WITH PLANES (Reed. 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 20 A Avar correspondent of the Moscow newspaper Izvestia at Kalinin describes amazing fighting at close quarters between tanks and aeroplanes. Russian tanks penetrated the German rear to disrupt tin; supply route to Kalinin, and a group of tank's took up a position beside the straight northsouth road leading through woods, plains and swamps to Kalinin. A German column a mile long appeared, comprising artillery, staff cars, arms lorries, troop lorries and motor-cycles. Almost every vehicle had an escorting antitank gun. Lorries Flattened The Russian tanks let the column pass, then attacked from the rear, where the Germans expected no attack. The Russian heavy tanks did not bother to use their guns, but simply went at full speed into the column, flattening each vehicle and rolling on to the next. The German anti-tank gunners had no time to fire, and many of the troops had 110 time to jump from the lorries and were crushed to death. German bombers from an aerodrome near by circled over the column for two hours, attempting to halt the tanks with bombs, but the Russians swept on through the inferno into a village, where they smashed German headquarters and killed motor-cyclists and machine-gunners. Panic in Kalinin The tanks tore on northward past two more villages, fighting all the way. Eight of them broke into Kalinin, where they continued to fight in the narrow streets. They created such a panic that the Germans blew up all the bridges on the southern approaches to the town. One tank swept across the town like a hurricane and rejoined the Russians at the northern end. Other Russian tank groups have carried out similar exploits. One crushed three anti-tank guns, cut through a column of lorries, smashing 25 of them, and then drove on to an aerodrome. German bombers started to take off. but a tank stopped the first by crashing into its tail, and then shot down a second while it was taking off. The remainder of the bombers got off and immediately showered the tanks with bombs. RAIN AND SNOW EMPHASIS BY BERLIN OFFENSIVE CONTINUING (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 2r. The Berlin correspondent of the Stockholm newspaper Dagcns Xvheter claims that the whole of Moscow is now within range of the German artillery, but adds that the weather has crippled the Germans' famous motor-cycle and bicycle battalions. The men are dragging their machines through a foot of mud. The Germans say frost will be necessary for any decisive operations. Berlin officials say the weather conditions on the Russian front are appalling. Driving rain and snow storms are sweeping the central and southern fronts, and the armies are struggling in seas of mud. These factors, together with the bogging of transport, it is claimed, alone are delaying the German advance. The Russians are blowing up all industrial plants as they retreat and are fighting strong rearguard actions. A Stockholm report states that German aeroplanes are playing a most important part in carrying supplies, particularly liquid fuel, right up to the foremost positions of the Russian front. Bombers are at present being used for this supply service, with cans in adapted bomb racks. A Moscow communique says: "Although bad weather is still prevailing along stretches of the Russian front, the German offensive is still continuing with the greatest violence in the south and the centre." REFUGE IN TURKEY RUSSIAN NAVAL CRAFT (Rccd. 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 20 The Istanbul correspondent of the Times says a considerable number of Russian naval craft, especially vessels of small tonnage, are arriving in Turkish Black Sea ports with refugees- from Russian ports which the Germans have occupied. The Turks have instructed the port authorities to intern the ships. The correspondent does not indicate the reason why the Russian ships went to Turkey. MOVE TO KUIBYSHEV LONDON, Oct. 25 The British Ambassador to Moscow, Sir Stafford Cripps, and members of the British Mission, arrived in Kuibyshev and are establishing themselves there. NAVY'S ASSISTANCE LONDON, Oct. 20 Britain lias already sent naval equipment to Russia and the Royal Navy lias carried out 14 attacks on enemy transports taking reinforcements to the Russian front. This was disclosed bv the first Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. A. V. A Icxander.