VILLAGES BURNED

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21590, 28 November 1941, Page 6

VILLAGES BURNED

ADVANCE OF RUSSIANS GERMAN SCHEME FAILS “SOVIET FORCES’ AIM (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 28, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 27 The Kuibyshev correspondent of Reuters says the Germans northeastwards of Rostov are trying to delay the advance of the Russians by burning villages, many of which they had converted into strong points. The Russians, who are operating in the rolling country, aim to keep the enemy moving and prevent the establishment of a defensive line. The German hope of preventing the cutting off a large part of von General Kleist’s forces is believed to be dwindling. Menace to Moscow The German progress on both wings of the Moscow front is costly and slow but appreciable, according to the Times’ Stockholm correspondent, and if similar speed is continued it will bring the Germans to Moscow’s gates by the New Year. At least regarding the northern positions it cannot be said that the defence lines have been broken, because the whole area between Klin and Moscow is a deep densely-held zone, through which the Germans must gnaw a passage before seeing Moscow itself. According to information received in Stockholm the Germans have got astride the railway and the main road, and also have bulged toward Dimtrov. on the Moscow-Volga Canal, but Russian toughness continues the whole distance and every yard gained requires an enormous expenditure of energy. Apparently the Germans hereabouts are no nearer Moscow than at the beginning of the week, but they have crept a few kilometres eastwards towards completing the remaining two-thirds of the circle around Moscow, which the existing arc leaves in Russian possession. German Pressure

The German pressure in the Volokalmak, Mojaisk and Maloyaroslavets aieas appears heavier during the last few days, but the Russian resistance here is as unyielding as elsewhere and apparently has not budged appreciably. The Russians, indeed, are counterattacking, giving blow for blow. The position on the Tula wing, however, has deteriorated since the beginning of the week. Tula itself is almost surrounded, as a tank column from the Kursk direction smashed through in the Stalinogorsk area and the most advanced Germans are now striving to sever Tula’s communications with Serpukhov by a leftward swing among the hills.

Despite the greater progress here the Germans are still farther from Moscow than at Klin and Mojaisk. The strain must be testing the Russians severely, but they have been strongly reinforced in the past month and show not the slightest symptons of weakening.