GERMANS RETIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21601, 11 December 1941, Page 5

GERMANS RETIRE

RETREAT FROM MOSCOW HITLER OVERRULED SERVICE CHIEFS DECIDE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlg-flt) LONDON, Dec. 10 The main body of the German armies in Russia is retiring to the line held on October 15, says the Daily Mail Stockholm correspondent. This momentous decision was made after a visit by Hitler and the Com-mander-in-Chief of the Army, Colonel-General von Brauchitsch, to General von Rundstedt in the Ukraine. General von Bock, General von Leebe, Goering. Milch, inspectorgeneral of the air force. Ribbentrop, Dietrich, chief of the press service, Toat, Minister of Munitions, and Rosenberg, gualeiter for the occupied territories, attended.

The military leaders insisted that the army and air force were unable to maintain an offensive throughout the winter 500 miles from their bases. The solid front of specialised opinion over-ruled Hitler, Ribbentrop and Rosenberg, who argued that the maintenance of the offensive was essential for internal and external prestige. The correspondent adds that the points to which the Germans are withdrawing include Rjev and Viazma, about 140 miles west of Moscow, Orel, Kursk, Kharkov and Melitopol, 100 miles west of Mariupol. Town Recaptured

Moscow radio interrupted its programmes last night to announce that the Russians had recaptured Tikhvin, south-east of Leningrad. Three German divisions were routed after they had lost 7000 men. Great importance is attached to this success. Enormous booty has been brought in, it is claimed. The town was captured 11 days ago by the Germans, who aimed to cut the Russians’ communications. It was recaptured after fierce fighting lasting nine days. A unit on the Kalinin front dislodged the Germans from several points and killed 1500. The Berlin radio admitted that fierce Soviet attacks were developing in the northern sector of the Russian front.