STILL ADVANCING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 296, 16 December 1941, Page 5

STILL ADVANCING

RUSSIANS AT MOSCOW TREMENDOUS SOVIET FORCE HAS BEEN MA.SSED STII EEK GERMAN RESISTAXIE IX THE SOI TH (By Teleg a;.h A. y.al.yu—Copyright.) (Recti. 8.10 p.m.' London. Dec. 14. The Russians' progn .*s i.s peic. ptibiy developing on most of the important fronts and an element of precariousness has already entei* 1 on General von Leeb’s hold on Leningrad. Trustworthy reports indicate that von Leeb is preparing for a further withdrawal of the right wing of his arm: -.* and an early’ relief of Leningrad by land is not improbable. Russian progress along the >hore of the f*ea of Azov continue*, but has been slowed down because General von Kleist has reinforced his rearguard. The Russian advance in lhe Donetz Basin has also slowed down and Axis forces are retiring in comparatively good order. The German improvisation of winter quarters has included the utilisation of thousands of railway passenger cars, explaining the recent almost entire suspension of passenger traffic in German-occupied territories. The Germans are retreating and seeking to break out of Russian traps all around Moscow, says The Time.*' Kuibyshev correspondent. General Zlhukov. Russian commander on this front, assisted by 20 gonerais. has assembled a tremendous attacking forct including lens of thousands of cavalr} which are at present engage i in smashing up the pursuing German* The German lines are reported to be giving way at many vital point.*. Red Star says German men ami material are hurriedly being evacuated to the most northern set tor on the Kalinin front. Russians in the Klin area are inflicting terrible casualties and also pushing the enemy back westwards to Istra, which is 30 miles from Moscow on the road to Volokalamsk. The Germans, entrenched in many areas, are surrounded and being mown down The Russian advance in the Tula and Serpukhov areas is unchecked. It is reported from Stockholm that the Finns ate pressing forward northwards of Karkumaeki. Russian pressure is increasing on the Svir Rivet. On the Karelian Isthmus the Russians are shelling Terijoki Russian parachutists are being' dropped at Wiipuri. (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) Cairo. Dec. 14 Oikstinacy and determined resistance was encountered by the New Zealand forces in the present engagement at El Gazala. It is indicated that the enemy regarded this strongpoint as a solid obstacle in the path of the 81 h. Army’s Advance.