GERMANS ROUTED

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21664, 26 February 1942, Page 5

GERMANS ROUTED

REFUSAL TO SURRENDER VITAL SECTORS TAKEN ENEMY MORALE WEAKER (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 26, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 25 Moscow reports state that the Soviet victory in the Staraya Russa region gives the Russians control of the most vital sector of the Leningrad area for the spring offensive. The first details of the great battle around Staraya Russa disclose the terrific difficulties of the advancing Russians, which included chest-high snows, frost and lack of roads and desperate resistance by the Germans, who are throwing in huge reserves. The Soviet offensive was marked by co-ordination of artillery, infantry, tanks, aircraft and ski units. Owing to the refusal of the German army commanded by General von Busch to surrender, Soviet troops started to attack. One infantry division of the Second Army Corps commanded by General Brockdorff, another infantry division of the Tenth Army Corps commanded by General Hanzen and an S.S. division were routed. The enemy morale has weakened, with German soldiers frequently deserting. They complain of lack of food and warm clothing and say they are fighting the Russian tanks only under the threat of death. These facts are confirmed from numerous orders captured from German generals. MIDDLE EAST RAIDS SANDSTORMS OVER LIBYA ENEMY CENTRES ATTACKED (Official WJreJMS) (Received Feb. 26, 11.30 a.m.)) RUGBY, Feb. 25 A Cairo communique states that a severe sandstorm hampered all operations in the Libya area yesterday, both on land and in the air. Although intensive patrolling was carried out over the front, visibility was very poor and no contact with the enemy was made. During the night of February 23-4 a patrol of the South African defence force surprised and inflicted casualties upon a party of the enemy north of the Tmimi-Mekili track, without loss to itself. A Royal Air Force Middle East communique states that targets at Martuba, Derna and Tripoli were raided by bomber aircraft of the Royal Air Force during Monday night. Fires broke out at Derna and Martuba and a violent explosion was caused on the main road north of Martuba. At Tripoli bombs burst between the harbour entrance and the Spanish quay. Bombs were also dropped at Benghazi and Cyrene. Enemy aircraft continued to raid Malta yesterday. Some military and civil damage was caused but the casualties were slight. It is now known that a ME 109 was shot down in the course of the raids on Monday. Four British aircraft are missing. MUCH AIR ACTIVITY WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST (Official wtreienfO RUGBY, Feb. 24 British Headquarters in the Middle East report that yesterday British fighting patrols again reported small enemy parties operating south-west and south of Tmimi. These withdrew on being engaged by Allied troops. A reconnaissance south of Mekili disclosed no change in the situation in this area. British air forces successfully attacked enemy targets in the Martuba area and fighters covered the operations of our forward troops.

Further details are given in a Royal Air Force communique “There was considerable air activity over the forward area of Libya on Monday,” it says, “but there was only one engagement between our fighters and enemy fighters, in which one MEIO9 was shot down and a number of others badly damaged.” On the night of Sunday. Royal Air Force bombers raided the landing ground at Martuba. Bombs burs: among dispersed aircraft and caused a number of fires.

The enemy continued to attack Malta on the night of Sunday and the following day. There was some damage and a few casualties. One Junkers plane was shot down by antiaircraft fire and a number of MElo9’s was seriously damaged by our fighters. Three British aircraft are missing.