SURPRISE ATTACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24244, 9 April 1942, Page 7

SURPRISE ATTACK

RED ARMY'S PROGRESS NEARER TO SMOLENSK r CASPIAN SEA AGAIN OPEN (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 7 The Russians, taking advantage of a snowstorm which has been raging for the last few days in the Smolensk sector, crossed the upper Dnieper in a surprise attack against German positions between Dorogobuj and Durovo, says a message from Stockholm. They are now only a few miles from Durovo, which is 50 miles east of Smolensk. A Moscow report states that 30 places have been liberated in this sector in two days. Large-scale skirmishing in. slush is going on from the Leningrad region to the middle of the SmolenskViazma sector, including the large middle "sack" and the Staraya Itussa pocket, says the Times' Stockholm correspondent. The ground, however, is still firm in some areas. For example, Berlin reports Russian tank attacks, in which even heavy tanks were driven directly against German gun positions. Berlin did not add that the Russians claim that these tanks in one area careered right over the German batteries, crushing them to the ground. This occurred, apparently, between Leningrad and Lake Ilmen, where both sides claim heavy casualties. Orack Nazi Troops Engaged Horses now figure more frequently in reports from other parts of the front, indicating difficulties for heavy vehicles. The Germans apparently are still determined to rescue some of their encircled 16th Army, which the Russians have been pounding for weeks, but have not yet been able to exterminate. Berlin mentions that the crack Nazi Party Waffen S.S. Troops are fighting in this region and claim some progress. The Moscow radio stated that over 100 aeroplanes on each side were engaged in combat over the approaches to Murmansk when the Germans attempted to raid the city on Monday. The Russians destroyed 15 German aeroplanes and the remainder fled. The Germans, since the outbreak, have attempted 191 raids on Murmansk, but not a single military or industrial target has been hit. Plane Losses in North The Germans at the approaches to Murmansk and other Arctic areas have lost hundreds of aeroplanes. Berlin radio admitted the loss of six aeroplanes in the latest raid against Murmansk and also stated that air activity over the Crimea had assumed large proportions. Forty Russian aeroplanes were shot down in air battles yesterday, the Nazis alleged, the German losses being about the same. The Caspian Sea is now again open. The first group of laden Soviet tankers left Baku for Astrakan following news that the ice was moving and the water clear at the entrance to the Volga. The new American Ambassador to Russia, Admiral William Standley, arrived aboard the first United States Army aeroplane to fly across Russian territory. MODERN TRAINING HARDENING THE SOLDIER MANY FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES (Special Correspondent) (Rccd. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, April 7 Every infantry division in the British Army is to have its own battle school as soon as instructors leave the new G.H.Q. Training Centre, at which realistic methods of battle drill are taught, based on tactical notes which Lieu-tenant-General Sir Harold Alexander (now in command in Burma) drew up after Dunkirk. It was men from the first divisional school formed who provided the covering infantry in the recent Bruneval raid. They were toughened at this school, where they underwent a most vigorous assault" course, containing every conceivable obstacle which might be met in action. As students in fighting order toil in relays, they are subjected to a tumult of noise from unexpected explosions, goaded by yells of "hate" from instructors, for example: "Remember Hongkong," "We want leaders, not weaklings," "You are suffering now because Hitler raped Europe." No man who is unfit could complete the course, and those who do not complete it for physical reasons are sent back to their units. The gruelling course is a mile and a-half long and for most of the distance the men are knee deep in water. They have to crawl through a tunnel with water nearly up to the roof, cross a stream by hanging on to two high strands of wire, negotiate a smoke-filled pit, enmeshed with barbed wire, and a 12ft. barrier between two trees, without footholds, and negotiate a maze of hazards in a thick shrubbery resembling the jungle and finally fire' rounds at figure targets. The course record is 16 minutes and is held by an Olympic runner, who is now a sergeant-major instructor. There are no complaints of boredom at this school.

SUBMARINE OVERDUE DESTROYER WRECKED , (Reed. 6.35 p.m.) LONDON, April 7 The Admiralty announces that the submarine Tempest is overdue and must be considered lost. Information has also been received that the destroyer Havock has been wrecked off the Tunisian coast. The ship is a total loss. One rating lost his life. It is believed the remainder of the'ship's company are safe. The destroyer Havock was of the Hero class, of 1340 tons. She was launched in July, 1936, and commissioned in January, 1937, and had a complement of 145. She carried four 4.7 in. and six smaller guns and eight 21in. torpedo tubes.

FAMINE IN BELGIUM DEATHS FROM STARVATION (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 7 Famine has overtaken Belgium at the end of a long winter, says the Times' correspondent at Lisbon. Social workers say that thousands have actually died from starvation in Brussels alone. The climax has come in a lack of potatoes, which are the country's staple food. The potato ration nominally is 331b. a month, but few persons in February and March were able to buy 4J lb. a month. Milk is now given only to children and aged people. Meat is scarce. Peasants are facing an even grimmer year, because France has stopped supplies of seed potatoes and other essential seed and fodder. JAPANESE SHIPS SUNK (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, April 1 Information has just been received in tho United States that a submarine while on extended patrol in the China Sea sank two Japanese merchant vessels of about 10,000 tons and another, large Bhip t