RELIEF OFFENSIVES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 230, 30 September 1942, Page 5

RELIEF OFFENSIVES

TWO LAUNCHED BY TIMOSHENKO SOME RESPITE AT STALINGRAD (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Recd. 11.40 p.m.) London, Sept. 29. Marshal Timoshenko is reported to be launching double relief offensives in order to ease the German pressure on Stalingrad. Reuter’s Stockholm correspondent says the Russians are keeping at their new attack south of Stalingrad, using forces brought across the Volga. The Rftssians' relief offensive from the north-west has made headway and somewhat relieved the strain on Stalingrad’s defenders, enabling the Russians to shift reinforcements across the Volga. Conditions inside Stalingrad arc clearly becoming still more difficult, despite the gallant relief efforts.

German infantry divisions and tanks flung against the workers’ settlement in north - westeri Stalingrad made progress in fact of the bitterest opposition. The Germans appear to have opened a new mass frontal attack on Stalingrad from the west, which for some days has been a very quiet sector, says the Daily Telegraph correspondent. The Red Air Force is attacking enemy concentrations west of the city. The Stockholm correspondent of the Daily Express reports that Marshal Timoshenko drew troops from the scene at Astrakhan for a counter-offensive. south-wc\t of Stalingrad, where the Germans are reported to be already yielding ground in the outlying suburbs. The Stefani news agency stated that the Russians are strongly fortifying Astrakhan, where they have constructed a secret underground oil pipe-line. Marshal Timoshenko recently inspected Astrakhan, toward which a Rumanian and German column is progressing across the Kalmuk steppes. According to a Stockholm report Field-Marshal von Keuchler has succeeded General von Leeb in command of the North Russian front. There are indications that he is preparing a gigantic offensive against Leningrad. Repeated Russian bombings of Koenigsberg are reported to be connected with the mass movement of reinforcements for von Keuchler’s armies. Berlin radio reported violent air battles over Murmansk in the past two days. The air activity presumably links up with the recent, arrival of a convoy at Murmansk. Moscow radio announced that a woman fighter-pilot, Lieutenant Varelia Khomyakova, shot down a Junkers 88 bomber which anproached a military objective at night. Russian troons north-west of Stalingrad recaptured two populated places and reached the east bank of the Don River. The whole area between the Volga and the Don is again ablaze. The Germans were found to be deeply entrenched and well fortified. Th? Russians rn one small sector destroyed 42 pillboxes before they could advance. Pravda says th? Russians have improved their anti-tank technique in this area, putting the enemy tanks out of action without support from their own tanks.

GREATEST EVER MADE BRITAIN’S SACRIFICES FOR RUSSIA Rugby, Sept. 27. “When the history of this war comes to be written, the amazing story of our ceaseless efforts to get aeroplanes, tanks, guns, supplies an/, clothing to Russia under terrific attacks will perhaps be regarded as one of the greatest sacrifices for an ally in all time, for ships to-day are our greatest need. Lord Croft, Undersecretary for War, expressed this opinion in a speech to-day. “Aid to Russia through our growing air power is something also of which we may be proud.” he added.

“The R.A.F., the sea air arm and the ground defences have pulled out of the skies 10,000 Axis machines, which would have proved a devastating force if used against Russia.” Lord Croft’s speech was delivered in connection with the Baden Powell memorial and was addressed to Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. He paid an outstanding tribute to these movements, which he said would give a new purpose and outlook to the youth of this country.

Dealing with the part Britain had played in the war, Lord Croft said that on 13 different fronts we had fought, mostly at great odds, and inflicted well over 600,000 casualties on the Axis armies. All through these great struggles we could say we had dedicated ourselves not only to the cause of Britain, but also to our Allies. —8.0.W.