NOT YET ACHIEVED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 63, 17 March 1943, Page 5

NOT YET ACHIEVED

GERMAN OBJECTIVE STUBBORN RESISTANCE BY RUSSIANS Recd. 1 a.m. London, March 15. So far the Germans have not achieved what was probably their first objective —a vast encirclement of the Russians through Isyum, 60 miles south, and Byelgord, 45 miles north of Kharkov, to sweep up behind the city, says the Moscow correspondent of The Times. The stubbornness of the Russian rearguard action forced the Germans to concentrate on a secondary objective and divert their main forces against Kharkov. The Germans may aim to use up Russian reserves, thus robbing them of a creative pause. The Wehrmacht’s determined defence of Ore! is intended to prevent the release of the Upper Don armies for an attack against the Germans in the Donetz salient. Similarly, the German stubbornness west of Rostov and in the Kuban is intended to tie up the Russians and draw their sting in the south.

The extraordinary vigour with which the Germans reacted to the German drive in the Ukraine—including stripping armour from the west—suggests implications that the Red Army’s mid-winter successes were very far-reaching and the Germans are now powerfully attempting to upset their major strategical aims.

Broadcasting to the Red Army in the Ukraine, it is believed at Stalin’s orders, M. Mitin, Communist Party committeeman, dramatically appealed to the troops to remember their Stalingrad victories and drive back the Germans. “Do not give a moment’s respite to the hated enemy. Destroy him wherever he is found unless he surrenders. That is the order of Commanderin-Chief Stalin.” Berlin radio’s military commentator, Captain Sertorius. claims that the Germans from Kharkov have reached Chuguyev and other forces made considerable progress towards Volshansk. Another Berlin commentator. Major Schaefer, warns the leaders not to inrulge in optimism because of the Kharkov success. The Russians, he said, had greatly profited by their war experience regarding equipment, strategy, tactics and troop leadership. They had successfully copied German methods and had shown skill in attack and defence.