FURTHER PROGRESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24536, 19 March 1943, Page 3

FURTHER PROGRESS

DIRECTION OF SMOLENSK RUSSIANS CROSS DNIEPER LONDON, March 18 The Russians on the central front have made more progress in their drive in the general direction of Smolensk. They have captured more places after beating back German counter-attacks. On one sector they smashed through the German defence lines and crossed the upper reaches of the Dnieper. The continuance of the thaw, tho enemy's stubborn resistance, ancl counter-attacks have failed to stem the Red Army's advance in the direction of Smolensk, says one Moscow correspondent. He says the Soviet troops are advancing in the north-west and the south as well as from Yiazma. Another correspondent says the Russians under General Koniev are relentlessly forcing the Germans to retreat to the west. NAVAL CRAFT OUTPUT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE (Reed. 5.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 17 "With the exception of escort ships, the production of every type of naval craft is ahead of schedule." said the Secretary of the Navy, Colonel W. F. Knox, addressing tho Naval Affairs Committee of the Senate. "Some vessels are coming from the ways a year ahead of original expectations. Battleships, aircraft-carriers, cruisers and destroyers are being commissioned rapidly, and our strength is being augmented at a fast rate." Colonel Knox explained that the production of escort craft was interrupted six months ago by tho production of landing craft. ADMIRAL'S NEW POST FORMERLY ON DIOMEDE LONDON, March 18 Admiral J. H. Godfrey has arrived in India to take over the command of the Royal Indian Navy from Admiral Fitzherbort, who is retiring. Admiral Godfrey has been Director of Naval Intelligence since 1939. He was at one time second-in-command of H.M.S. Diomec'le on the New Zealand station. STEEL SURVEY DOMINION REQUIREMENTS LONDON, March 18 A survey of the steel situation in Australia, New Zealand. South Africa and India is to take place. It is to be made by Sir John Duncanson, representing the British Isles' Steel Control, and Mr. Earl A. Everson, representing the United States War Production Board. The survey will cover production, consumption and requirements of steel in the three Dominions a|id India. It is duo to begin next month. TORPEDO ON PARAVANE AUCKLAND CAPTAIN'S STORY LONDON, March 18 The remarkable escape of a merchant ship in a Malta-bound convoy last August is described by the ship's muster, Captain H. Pinkney, D.5.0., M.B.E.j of Auckland. After passing Gibraltar and witnessing the sinking of the aircraft-carrier Eagle, his ship, tho Port Chalmers, was proceeding eastward. As the pursuit continued, the captain decided to haul in the paravane. A torpedo was then found hanging on by the rudder and the paravane was cast off. Some 30 seconds later tho ship shuddered. The torpedo had struck the bottom at a depth of approximately 400 fathoms. Captain Pinkney added to his account of this particular convoy's well-known and thrilling journey through three days of incessant attack by aircraft, submarines and E-boats, that his ship's gunners brought down one dive-bomber and probably destroyed another aircraft. He was on the bridge the whole timo east of Gib: "iltcr. and only occasionally was able to snatch an hour's sleep. He described how in this kind of continuous fighting the whole ship's company had taken a turn with the gun. He particularly praised tho work of tho deck bovs 'and galley boys, aged 1(3 to 18. who showed as nerveless qualities as the older men. WELL-KNOWN PILOT LOST (Recti. 7.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 18 One of Australia's best known fighter pilots. Squadron-Leader Raymond Thor-oid-Smith, is reported missing on air operations somewhere in Australia, A leader of an Australian Spitfire Squadron, he failed to return from an interception mission. Pilot-Officer Thorold-Smith was a student at Sydney University before enlisting in May, 1910. Ho represented both New South Wales and tho combined universities at Rugby.