GERMAN LINE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 150, 28 June 1943, Page 5

GERMAN LINE

BREACH BY RUSSIANS MUCH AIR ACTIVITY /By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Recd. 9.-10 p.m. London, June 27. The Russians made local breaches in the Germans’ main defence line south-east of Orel, north of Orel and west of Velikiye Luki, according to Berlin radio, which claimed that counter-attacks restored the positions. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says the Russian air offensive against German-held aerodromes reached a peak last week with hundreds of bombers out every night except Thursday. He says that of the last 18 days only six have been without major attacks against enemy airfields, and adds that at a most conservative estimate 500 German planes have been destroyed on the ground as a result of the consistent blasting. Recd. 6.10 p.m. Rugby, June 25. A special Soviet communique states that Russian long-range bombers attacked the railway junctions of Orsha and Karachev last night and also bombed aerodromes, destroying or damaging a large number of enemy aircraft. The German air force yesterday attempted to raid inhabited places near Leningrad, but were dispersed and prevented from reaching their objectives. Twelve German machines were shot down for the loss of four Russian planes. Moscow radio announced that a German broadcast of June 24 to the effect that the Germans attacked in the areas south of Lake Ilmen, capturing strongholds and prisoners, die. not contain a single word of truth. There had been no fighting in that sector for several weeks. On the Kalinin front to-day the Russians repulsed three German counter-attacks on a locality which Soviet troops had captured. The Germans lost about 600 men. West of Rostov Soviet airmen destroyed six German planes in combat. —8.0.W.