MOSCOW RAIDED

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21480, 23 July 1941, Page 5

MOSCOW RAIDED

VERY LITTLE DAMAGE DEFENCES UNDERRATED GREAT BOOM OF GUNS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received July 23, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 22 While the Berlin news agency claimed that the raid on Moscow last night equalled the heaviest against Britain, correspondents who have experienced bombing in London described it as a “ medium blitz.” Fires l'aintly lit up the sky, but the spectacular red glow of London’s worst fire raids was lacking. If the Russian figure of 200 raiders is correct the attack indeed, was only one-third of the strength experienced in London on at least two nights. Apparently the Germans are attempting to carry out from the air what the panzer forces have failed to achieve—a break-through to Moscow. One correspondent suggests that the Germans under-rated Moscow’s defences especially as the first raider was over Moscow while it was still light. Anti-aircraft defences put up a tremendous fire of flaming onions and tracers. Shell-bursts, searchlights and the German flares added to the garishness. The rat-a-tat boom of guns was continuous throughout the raid, with an occasional swish of inceridiaries and, less frequently, explosives. Fighters operated most effectively. Crater Near American Embassy Correspondents agree that most of the raiders turned back before the city raid had caused comparatively small damage. The American Press says the only sign of the bombing in the centre of the city was a crater outside the American Embassy. Fire-watchers quickly dealt with most of the incendiaries. The home guards, police and wardens cooperated. The public remained, calm. Britons were in one building which was set on fire, but assisted the fire-watchers in quickly extinguishing the flames.' Most of the traces of damage were cleared up within three hours and the public utility services were normal in the morning. The Kremlin and other public centres were not touched. Difficulties of Attack The German propaganda machine, while still promising victories, is now emphasising the difficulties of the Eastern offensive and excusing tne failure to achieve a break-through. The Berlin radio declared that the conditions on the Russian front are entirely different from those on the Western Front, and it will take much longer to achieve a decisive result than after breaching the Weygand line. The enemy is numerically superior, not only in man-power but also in equipment. A German officer, Colonel Bade, broadcasting, said: ‘‘l cannot tell you all the difficulties confronting the German army because the enemy is listening in. Our heavy vehicles are frequently hopelessly stuck in loose earth and immobilised in impenetrable dust. Because of the rapid advance of our motorised forces and the depth of our front our rear communications particularly are threatened. The dispersed Soviet forces often sabotage our communications.”