THREAT REMAINS TO BLACK SEA PORT OF ODESSA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 187, 11 August 1941, Page 5

THREAT REMAINS TO BLACK SEA PORT OF ODESSA

GERMAINS CLAIM SUCCESSES NO CONFIRMATION OF THESE IN THE RUSSIAN REPORTS London, Aug. 10. The beginning of the eighth week of the war between liussia and Germany finds Germany stilt fighting in bloody battles in Estonia, the Smolensk region, and north-west and south of Kiev. There are no new developments mentioned in the latest Russian communique, but the threat to the Russian Black Sea port of Odessa remains. An Italian version of the lighting in the Ukraine, declares that the German thrust north-west of Kiev compelled Marshal Budenny to counter-attaek with all his forces, this enabling the Germans and Hungarian troops to threaten the rear of the Russian left wing. If this report is true, it explains the liussian difficulties in the Ukraine. (Reed. 7.20 p.m.) London, Aug. 9. No confirmation of Berlin's latest claims of successes in the southern and central sectors is contained in a Russian night communique. .Similarly, no light is thrown on Helsinki's claim io a second great offensive beginning north-east of Lake Ladoga.

The Soviet communique states: “During the night preceding Saturday, our troops were engaged in stubborn fighting in the Kexholm. Smolensk. Korosten, Byela and Tserkov directions and the Estonian sectors. On other sectors reconnaissance activities and encounters of a local character were made. Our Air Force, in co-operation with the hind forces, dealt heavy blows Io enemy motorised ami mechanised units, and plains on aerodromes. On Thursday 21 German planes were shot down by the Russians, who lost 14. During daylight on Friday Soviet fighters brought down a German reconnaissance plane in the vicinity of Moscow. The crew were taken prisoners.” —8.0.W. German Claims Treated With Reserve. German claims of a spectacular victory in the Ukraine are treated with reserve in London in the abs nee of the Russian version of the fighting. Both Russian and German sources agree that the fighting has intensified in the past 36 hours. A German High Command special communique claiming the first great success in the Ukraine says that part of the 18th Soviet armies, totalling 25 divisions, has been destroyed and 103.000 prisoners taken, including the commanders of the 6th and 12th armies, fell into our hands; also 317 tanks, 858 guns and vast quantities of war material. The enemy suffered heavy and bloody losses, amounting, so far, to more than 200,000. German forces captured Korosten after several days' battle in dense forests and marshlands. Soviet forces encircled 60 miles south-east of Smolensk were annihilated and 38,000 prisoners were taken and 250 tanks and armouredcars and 359 guns were captured. German forces in Estonia captured Turi. an important road and railway junction. The Red Star. Moscow, reports that heavy losses were inflicted on a further six German tank divisions and four infantry divisions on the western front. Intercepted German messages showed losses of from 20 to 40 per cent, in some divisions. The Red Fleet claims that since the outbreak of war Germany has lost 13 submarines, ten destroyers, three patrolboats, two monitors, a trawler, and more than 30 transports, mostly in the Baltic.

Revolt m Yugoslavia. The Moscow radio reports that open revolt has broken out in Yugoslavia. Armed clashes between the population and German troops are occurring in many towns and villages. Guerillas are also attacking German garrisons, destroying communications and blowing up bridges. The Soviet Information Bureau reports that guerillas ambushed and routed a German infantry regiment. The Germans lost 450 killed and wounded. 12 lorries. 21 machine-guns and hundreds of automatic rifles.— U.P.A.