DREAMS OF OIL FADE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 206, 1 September 1943, Page 5

DREAMS OF OIL FADE

MEANING OF EVACUATION

Recd. 6 p.m. London, Aug. 30. Military observers in London believe the German withdrawal from Taganrog presages a widespread German retreat to the Dnieper River, although it will undoubtedly be accompanied by heavy fighting. One report states that Taganrog was taken after stiff lighting in which the Soviet Black Sea fleet played a part. Taganrog was the last place from which the German dreams of reaching Caucasian oil through Rostov could have been realised.

The German news agency’s military commentator said: “The evacuation of Taganrog may have surprised the public, particularly since the Russians have given no news of fighting in that area. The withdrawal of the German lino in this sector must obviously have some strategic significance. “This manoeuvre remained undetected by the enemy, which shows that the German Command is master of the situation and acts the moment it considers a move suitable. It is pointed out in Berlin that however important certain towns and areas may be they can be abandoned without harm because there is so much space at the disposal of the German Command.

“The Germans have quickly learned to use the Russian methods of elastic strategy provided it is more advantageous and less costly in men and materials to do so, and inflicts the greatest possible losses on the enemy.”

Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says the German hones of holding on to the remaining vantage points around Kharkov, are fading fast as the Red Army drives on from Lyubotin. The enemy is getting no time to re-form his shaken troops, and Russian tanks and dive-bombers are smashing up his hastily-erected fortifications.