ENCIRCLING MOVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24855, 3 March 1942, Page 5

ENCIRCLING MOVE

STARAYA RUSSA FRONT BRILLIANT RUSSIAN STRATEGY THREAT TO GERMAN REAR LONDON. Mar. I.' The Russians continue to advance on the north-western and south-western sectors of the front. Izvestia reports that the Russians captured three more inhabited localities in the north and western sectors, and says they are de-< veloping an offensive, dealing the enemy blow after blow. The Russians on the south-western front occupied an important fortified enemy position after a fierce fight in which they partly annihilated two enemy infantry battalions. Russian cavalry are pressing forward and occupying place after place. The enemy is launching frequent counter-attacks, but these were repulsed. ~ The military correspondent of the Evening Standard says the . brilliant Russian encircling move on Staraya Russa may become a landmark of the war. It constitutes a great threat to the rear of the German Army under Marshal vbn Leeb, which was besieging Leningrad. Marshal von Leeb may be faced with a Dunkirk by land. Sure that they could hold Staraya Russa, the Germans put everything into its defence. It was the vital nerve centre of Marshal von Leeb’s supply, and barred the road to the still more important gap between Lake Ilmen and Lake Peipus. Through this gap run all the German supply lines to the Leningradj front. The issue remains inconclusive, but the Germans had to send Marshal von Leeb supplies sorely needed for other purposes. , , , ~'''. Madrid newspaper reports state tnat the Russians took prisoner Major Jiminez, assistant chief of the Blue Division Air Force, after he parachuted from his plane, following an air battle. Lieutenant Alcocer. son of the Mayor of Madrid, was killed on the Eastern Front.