RISING FURY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24302, 17 June 1942, Page 3

RISING FURY

KHARKOV BATTLE DRIVE TOOL WELLS NAZIS SPARE NOTHING HEAVY ENEMY LOSSES (Herd. 8.20 p.m.) LONDON, June 16 The German offensive against Kharkov is clearly serious. Marshal Timoshenko's forces, so far, seem successfully to be absorbing a rapid succession of armoured punches. A German failure, even a stalemate, on this sector may profoundly influence the chances of a successful drive against Rostov, and Bock is sparing nothing to achieve his objective. The Russians say he has been suffering severe losses, notably the destruction of 190 tanks, in the past three days. More German Eeinlorcements

Soviet troops have repelled more j attacks by German tanks and infantry. Indications are that the battle is rising to a new pitch of fury, and that fresh German reinforcements have been brought up. An earlier message from Moscow said that the enemy was sustaining heavy losses, and his tank columns, each consisting of 90 to 120 tanks, were falling back. Bock was reported to be deploying 30 divisions around Kharkov, with another 30 in reserve—evidence that the Caucasian oil is Germany's first major objective this year. A German communique stated: "We annihilated or took prisoner remnants of the beaten Russian army east of Kharkov." Fighting Around Volkhov While the German attacks against Kharkov and Sebastopol continue with increasing intensity, the Red Army is again attacking in the Volkhov sector, between Leningrad and Lake llmen. Berlin says the fighting here is equal in intensity to that of last winter, when the Russian attacks caused the German lines to bulge, but not break. A Helsinki message says that German and Italian troops have been attacking Leningrad for two days from land and sea. Assault barges are being used to land troops behind the Russian lines.

PRISONERS' ATTITUDE

NO CONTRITE GERMANS LONDON, June 16 A visit to a German war prisoners' camp is described by Paul Winterton in a despatch to the British Broadcasting Corporation from Moscow. He talked to dozens of prisoners for some hours, but says he could not find the slightest sign of contrition among them. The prisoners seemed completely unaware that they had been instruments of one of the greatest crimes the world has ever known. He found no real disbelief in a German victory, and he felt that if a German officer had marched in and given an order the prisoners, in five seconds, would have been a fighting unit once again arid would have gone out into the neighbouring village and started smashing, burning and looting all over again. His conclusion was that many of the German prisoners, particularly the young, were practically impervious to new ideas and have learned nothing from their decent treatment in the prison camp. "I profoundly believe that re-educa-tion is possible and will be achieved in the end," he adds. "It is clearly going to be a long job. The lessons have to be driven into the Germans, not by kindness, but by the smashing defeat of the German army in the field, bringing death and destruction to the very heart of the Reich itself."

WORLD FOR FREE MEN ROYAL ADDRESS TO SENATE (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) "WASHINGTON, June 15 The King of Greece, addressing the Senate, said that Greece always found support and sympathetic understanding in the United States, whose valuable aid would never be forgotten. He added: —

"Decency and justice must govern the relations of the people after the war, and they must not be left a prey to vandals. Above all else, it is vital to those who have fought in the battle of right to be secured against invasion and that wrongdoers be impressed that predatory policies clo not pay. We will fight on land, sea and in the air to tlie very end, until barbaric violence is put down and the world is established for free men, not for slaves." The Vice-President of the United States, Mr, Henry Wallace, introducing the King of Greece to members of the Senate, said for centuries Greece had held aloft the torch of freedom and never more than now. Among the gallery of visitors was a group of Indians in full regalia.

INTERNED AVIATORS (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 15 Mr. Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, said the United States did not intend to make representation to Turkey concerning the internment of 21 American fliers who were forced down last Saturday on the return flight after bombing Rumania and Odessa. Mr. Hull said the position was similar to that of the members of Brigadier-General Doolitiie's squadron forced down in Russia and subsequently interned following on the raid on Japan on April 18.