FORCES NEAR VIAZMA

Southland Times, Issue 24760, 3 June 1942, Page 5

FORCES NEAR VIAZMA

HEAVY FIGHTING EXPECTED (Rec. 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 1. Further large-scale fighting is expected in General Gregory Zhukov’s sector around the Viazma-Gjatsk-Rejv sack, but the other Russian fronts are quiet. In the Leningrad area some roads are still under water, while the Kharkov-Kursk black soil area is not yet satisfactorily dry. The Russians have accumulated large forces around the Viazma sack, but the Germans have also concentrated strong forces, particularly through Smolensk and VelikiYeluku. Converging railways favour the Germans, but the Russians are operating in lineless country with the Smolensk-Moscow motor artery as their only good road. German reconnaissance units, including tanks, have been trying for a fortnight to find the Russian front strength, particularly in the region from the Valdai hills to Rjev, south-east of which the Russians a few months ago captured Nikitinka, terminus of the 40mile branch line of the SmolenskViazma railway. The Russians also captured Dorogobuj, terminus of the 15mile branch line opposite, making the neck of the sack narrowest at this point. The Germans have resisted winter attempts to pinch through here and encircle forward German units. A fierce battle appears inevitable when either side makes a determined move. The Times says: “The general impression that the Russian offensive was undertaken to forestall a German offensive against the Caucasus is confirmed by the latest Soviet announcement. The danger to the Russians was increased by the success of the German operation which drove the Red Army from its bridgehead on the Crimean Peninsula. To interrupt the enemy s plans and to draw on his reserves to the greatest possible extent rather than to capture Kharkov or any other territorial objective was the aim of Marshal Timoshenko. The German assault on Kerch was certainly the prelude to more extended operations. No such operations have yet been attempted. And though they may eventually be carried out it is hardly probable that the enemy will be in a position to put them in train for some time to come. GERMAN CLAIMS

The Yorkshire Post says: “The inference to be drawn from the gigantic German claims is either that the Germans have grossly exaggerated their success or the Russian reserves are immensely stronger than anyone supposed. If the Russians lost three armies at one blow (the Germans claim to have taken 240,000 prisoners in the Kharkov sector) and still yielded little ground the prospect is bleak for the Germans.” The Times also comments: lhe balance of the advantage depends in a large degree upon the scale of the resources in men and material which the Germans have been compelled to commit to this battle as a result of Marshal Timoshenko’s initiative. The Russians can afford to wait, whereas the Germans have repeatedly announced that a final decision will very shortly be reached. Failure to reach that decision would in itself be tantamount to a major defeat.” The Times considers that the opposing forces are now more evenly matched. , , , Large-scale fighting has broken out in the Kalinin sector. The Germans concentrated large forces of tanks and infantry on a narrow front and launched two attacks, but the Russians coun-ter-attacked, drove the enemy back beyond their original lines and recaptured several villages.