LINES PENETRATED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24911, 9 May 1942, Page 5

LINES PENETRATED

GERMAN ADMISSION THE MURMANSK FRONT (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, May 7. The Berlin radio admits that the Russians on the Murmansk front have penetrated the German lines to a depth of between eight and eleven miles. The Russians consolidated their gains, in spite of fierce Finnish and German counter-attacks. The radio added that there were indications that the Russian High Command was preparing a new offensive on the Moscow front and resumption of strong activity in the Ukraine.

A type of German plane of unsymmetrical pattern is achieving big successes on the Russian front, stated the Berlin radio. It is known as the BV--140 and carries an 800 horse-power engine on the starboard wing and a closed observation turret for the crew of three on the port wing. The plane is equipped with cannon guns and machine guns, and is claimed to have great speed, climbing power, and ability to manoeuvre. It is being produced by the Blohm Voss shipbuilding yards.

NAZIS HARASSED SOVIET GUERRILLAS ACTIVE

MANY PUCES LIBERATED tßec. 7 p.m.) RUGBY, May 7. The Stockholm correspondent of The Times states that a Berlin spokesman claims that the initiative on the eastern front has passed to the Germans. Since the end of April German communiques every day have referred to the repulse of the Russians. One Berlin report admits that guerrillas “have grown up like mushrooms. Immediately one district is purged they spring up elsewhere. With a thousand clever dodges they penetrate the German lines. Womem children and the aged act as spouts.” The Moscow radio says that guerrillas on the Bryansk front, fighting an Hungarian division, have liberated 25 inhabited places, routed three enemy battalions, and blown up three ammunition dumps and a railway bridge, and captured much booty. Earlier, the same force of guerrillas captured a supply train, mined 15 miles of railway, and routed a strong Torce of Germans which was sent to attack them. Large-scale operations by guerrillas are continuing in this area. Ten months’ experience has steeled the guerrillas and siven them confidence, says the Soviet newspaper Pravda. Partisan groups are. now operating instead of individuals, and have grown into detachments, battalions, regiments and even brigades. Tens of thousands of Russians who became guerrillas now see how right M. Stalin was at the outbreak of war when he called on them to start harassing tactics everywhere. The guerrillas have equipped themselves with arms and ammunition captured during the winter and now have machine-guns, automatic rifles, mortars, anti-tank rifles, and, in some places, artillery. The guerrillas, in spite of the severe winter, have taken hundreds of populated places. They rally to the side of Russian parachute troops when they land in the Germans’ rear. The guerrillas have worked out new tactics against tanks and planes, and no longer fear those weapons. The Moscow correspondent, of The Times says that 20,000 ■ guerrillas signed a letter and sent it through Orel to M. Stalin telling him that on the eve of May Day they routed three Hungarian battalions, killing 400 and capturing much equipment.