GERMANS SURPRISED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 228, 27 September 1941, Page 5

GERMANS SURPRISED

BRITISH PLANES ON THE MURMANSK FRONT DIME-BOMBERS SENT FLITTERING HOME (Recd. 9.35 p.m.) London, Sept. 25. The Daily Telegraph’s Stockholm correspondent says that the R.A.F.'s appearance on the Murmansk front is probably the German’s most unpleasant surprise for weeks. When the Germans and Austrians advanced six days ago, after forcing the Liza River, they threw in strong forces of divebombers to blast the Russian positions. Hurricanes mot the Stukas, which promptly made off under cover of the morning mists. The invaders held them back, while squadrons of Messerschmitts were brought from Petsamo and Kirkenas. These, after a series of dog-fights, also made off and the R.A.F. wore masters of the air. The Russians then counter-attacked, throwing back the Germans and Austrians 10 miles.

The R.A.F.’s advent in the operations was the best kept, secret of the war. The Germans were fully informed of the facts, but have not dared to publish them for fear of damaging Finnish-German morale.

The Daily Telegraph’s Stockholm correspondent adds that waves of Stukas and heavy bombers are ceaselessly raiding Leningrad, causing indescribable damage, hut always losing a percentage of their number. They have not succeeded in breaking the Russian defences or fighting spirit.— U.P.A.