BID WITH TANKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24279, 21 May 1942, Page 5

BID WITH TANKS

ENEMY HURLED BACK WRECKAGE ON ROADS GERMANS USE RESERVES LONDON, May 19 A vast tank battle raged particularly fiercely north-east of Kharkov, gays the Russian newspaper Izvestia. Gernan tanks pierced the Russian positions in one sector, but the Red Army quickly brought in a devastating concentration of anti-tank guns, rifles and Stormovik divebombers, which compelled the enemy tanks to withdraw. According to reports reaching New ;Tork Kharkov is ablaze. A National Broadcasting Corporation correspondent gays the battle zone looks like hell. The roads are littered with hundreds of burned-out German tanks. The Russians are mopping up isolated groups of Germans, all of whom are bewildered and appear to have been drugged. The Moscow radio says Hitler is bringing up reserves from the distant . rear and is attempting to organise defence in depths The enemy is now laying minefields to the south of Kharkov, but these are being cleared away Jdv Soviet troops. r The Soviet Army claims that it has everything necessary to complete the destruction of the German Army in 1942. A communique states that the Soviet forces will continue to fight on such an immense scale that the German * Army will not be able to withstand the pressure. ENVOY TO RUSSIA DESIRE OF AUSTRALIA [INTEREST IN PACIFIC WAR SYDNEY, May 20 Determined moves to expedite the appointment of an Australian Minister to Moscow are likely to be made by Dr. Evatt in London, says the Daily Telegraph. Australia has been eager to complete negotiations started some months ago, but there have been inexplicable delays. . Official quarters claim that negotiations are being hindered at Whitehall, \rhere it is contended Australia does Dot need separate representation, because Britain is already represented. This view is not shared in Australia. Federal circles consider an exchange of envoys by Australia and Russia would not only cement friendly relations between the two countries, but would increase the possibility of _ Russia taking a more active interest in the Pacific ■*ar. Mr. W. M. Hughes urges the appointment at the earliest possible moment of a Minister to Moscow. He suggests that Dr. Evatt, who is now m London, should consult with Al. Maisky, the Russian Ambassador in London, about an. exchange of diplomats. POWDERED FOOD

(Heed. 0.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 19 Stories told by the Moscow and Oslo radios say that the German troops in Russia are being nourished with powdered food in order to relieve the burden on supply routes. There are said to be 140 different kinds of powder, including tomato, spinach, cheese, marmalade and m6at. The soldiers find that the powder, mixed with a little water, makes a tasty and nourishing sandwich spread. DESERT ACTIVITY LAND AND AIR FORAYS LONDON, May 19 A Middle East communique states: "Our patrols continue to be active on the whole front. On the central sector enemy working parties were dispersed fcy one of our columns. Otherwise there is nothing to report." The Royal Air Force Middle bast communique states: "Enemy camps and motor transport in Cyrenaica were effectively attacked by our fighter aircraft yesterdav.' Benghazi harbour ami traffic on the' Benghazi-Chemines road were again the principal objectives for our bomber aircraft on Sunday night. CANADIAN PREFERRED director of schools 1 NEW YORK. May 19 A message from Hamilton, Bermuda, states that the Assembly yesterday ejected a British recommendation that Bn Australian be appointed inspector schools. The Director of Education ® a d asked the British Secretary of State for the Colonies to nominate a Kian. Members of the Assembly said « e y believed the American type of ®dls&tion was more suitable tor the iif e 0 f young people than the ■"Htish stereotyped, public school plan. The recommendation of the Ausralian appointee was defeated by 15 J°tea to 9. The Director of Education ***••* look to Canada.