NEW PHASE IN RUSSIA

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21513, 30 August 1941, Page 7

NEW PHASE IN RUSSIA

LARGE-SCALE COUNTER-OFFENSIVES FIGHTING CARRIED INTO GERMAN LINES CONFLICTING REPORTS BIG NAVAL BATTLE LONDON, August 29 Although the communiques from Berlin and Moscow concerning the progress of the fighting on the Eastern front are obscure there is every indication that the fighting has entered a new phase. There are signs that the Russians have commenced large-scale counter-offensives and that these are progressing. In the central sector, especially, the Russian counter-attack has apparently made progress.

The Germans in this sector have stated that they are organising a second line of defence here and the Russians claim that they have broken through the German defences and have carried the fighting into the German lines. They state that the Nazis are retreating and are leaving much equipment behind.

In the north the Germans claim to have captured Tallinn and the Russian communique states that Russian troops are still being evacuated from the city. The Russians claim severe fighting some 30 miles farther south from Kingisepp on the road to Leningrad, this indicating a successful attack.

The German radio has admitted that the Russians have succeeded in re-crossing the Dnieper River, in the Ukraine sector, but states that most of the troops have been annihilated. This also indicates a strong counter-offensive.

American correspondents report a large-scale naval battle in the Gulf of Finland. The Germans claim to have sunk 25 Russian transports and 10 warships, but the Russian communiques make no mention of the naval battle.