A GREAT ORDEAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24732, 8 October 1941, Page 5

A GREAT ORDEAL

RUSSIANS UNPERTURBED NO SIGNS OF DISMAY CONFIDENT SPIRIT SHOWN (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 7. The Stockholm correspondent of The Times says: “ The Russians have no illusions about the tremendous weight of tha offensive with which Herr Hitler has identified his personal reputation as a leader more closely than with any particular previous offensive. The German spokesman in Berlin declares that the German armies this time will carry Moscow in an irresistible rush, perhaps lasting weeks but without retreats, halts, or slackening until the swastika has been hoisted over the Kremlin. German intimations that they don’t intend to bomb Leningrad into ruins and surrender may be taken to signify that the German High Command is reconciled with the idea that Leningrad must wait while the greatest possible number of German bombers are diverted to co-operate with Hitler’s troops by bombing down Marshal Timoshenko's resistence, which the Germans represent as the sole obstacle between Hitler and victory before the winter. The Russians show no signs of dismay at the great ordeal immediately ahead of .them. They are confident that Hitler’s sledgehammer will crack on Marshal Timoshenko’s anvil.”

SURPRISE RUSSIAN SORTIE EASTWARDS OF ODESSA (Rec.' 7 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 6. According to Rumanian quarters in Istanbul, the Russians made a surprise sortie, from Odessa in torpedo boats. They landed several miles eastwards of Odessa and inflicted 2000 casualties before they successfully withdrew. A Budapest newspaper announced the execution of seven Soviet parachutists. who landed on Rumanian oilfields near Ploesti. They were alleged to ;be wearing civilian clothes, and consequently were not regarded as prisoners of war. The Ankara correspondent of the Associated Press says there are indications that Germany is ■ ready to launch. a long-prepared naval operation from Bulgaria. Well-informed circles declare that Varna and Burgas are beehives of activity. Four thousand German sailors are controlling the ports.