RUSSIAN RESERVE ARMIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22205, 24 February 1942, Page 5

RUSSIAN RESERVE ARMIES

Harder Blows In Spring

Hurricanes To Support New Troops British Official Wireless LONDON, February 22. Big Russian reserve armies in the Urals which have completed their training are said to be equipped with squadrons of Hurricanes. "Pravda” states that the Russian troops will strike harder at the enemy in the spring. It said that the Germans were advertising their coming spring offensive, but the Russians were also preparing for the spring, and would strike even harder. Ths frustration of Hitler’s proposed spring offensive, resulting in the complete crushing of the enemy in 1942, is forecast by the “Red Star.” “Enemy talk of a spring offensive is premature,” the newspaper states. “The winter campaign is at its summit. More than a dozen German divisions will be buried in the snow and we will advance far into the west before the spring. German power and technique are now weaker than last summer, but the Russian army and Russian industry are more powerful. British and Russian resources of manpower ahe incomparably greater than those of Germany and her allies, while British and American aid to the Soviet is growing ceaselessly. „ “Doubtless also, the military efforts of our allies will grow, aiming at the speediest rout of the enemy.” More reserves which the German High Command intended for the spring offensive are being thrown in on various fronts in an unsuccessful effort to stem the Russian advance, reports the Soviet Army newspaper “Red Star." The Germans are offering a stiff resistance on the Kalinin front, also around Leningrad, where new units are being thrown straight into the battle. Regiments from the German Fifth Light Infantry Division have been brought from. France, and were Immediately employed in an attempt to stem the Russian advance on the northern front, but were hurled back with heavy losses. The enemy on this front is attempting local counterattacks, but is unable to check Russian progress. Tommy-gunners are inflicting deadly execution in encirclement moves. A Moscow dispatch states that the Russians recaptured 60 fortified blockhouses near Schlusselberg. Two new Russian thrusts on this front are progressing satisfactorily.