CLIMAX NEAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24715, 18 September 1941, Page 7

CLIMAX NEAR

LENINGRAD BATTLE BOASTFUL NAZI CLAIMS SOVIET HOPES SHATTERED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 17. • Fierce fighting continues on the eastern front, and particularly around Leningrad. In the outskirts of the city a fierce struggle is moving towards its climax. The Germans say that the Russian hopes of saving Leningrad are shattered, but the boastful claims of the Germans are not confirmed from Russian sources. No definite news is available of the progress of any of the battles. A Russian newspaper states that the city of Leningrad is preparing to defend itself house by house' against the invaders, and Work goes on in the factories continuously. Those who could see the amount of production would be amazed, it said. The Germans have again attempted to dominate the sea approaches to Leningrad, but the Russian bases are still holding command. A second attempt by the Germans saw a number of transports sunk by the Russian patrols. There is scarcely any news of the lighting in the central and southern sectors, but it is known that many divebombers have been used by the Nazis south of .the Dnieper and in the Crimea. These Avere all beaten off by the Russian "fighters. - .:,/.: Tr EASTERN UKRAINE FRONT The Stockholm correspondent of the Daily Telegraph reports that General von Rundstedt has launched a powerful offensive against eastern Ukraine with the largest armies the Germans have yet used on this front. The main attacks are

apparently developing from bases in the Dnieper bend, northwestwards and south-westwards of Dnepropetrovsk. Marshal Budenny's forces, strongly reinforced from the Caucasus, are reported to be desperately resisting. Simultaneously the Germans claim to have broken Leningrad's second ring of defences at a number of points, adding that " Marshal 'Voroshilov's last hope of saving the city is shattered." ;"„•'■' A 'Moscow supplementary communique says: "Our troops recaptured the island of Rahmasaari, on Lake Ladoga, killing about 800 Finns, and sinking four enemy topedo boats and two motor torped' boats. NAZI TRANSPORTS DESTROYED a A Moscow communique states: "Our coastal artillery destroyed four German transports totalling 28,000 tons, loaded with troops, tanks, and other equipment, during an attempted landing on Osel Island, and also one enemy destroyer and 10 launches. An enemy plane was also brought down. The enemy attempted a second landing, in which air-borne troops participated, and fierce fighting lasted for two days. Enemy landing parties, both air and naval, were wiped out and the remainder withdrew." It is reported from Stockholm that the Germans captured Vorm Island, and also that the Finns have broken Russian resistance in Olonez province.