NEW RUSSIAN TACTICS

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22153, 27 September 1943, Page 4

NEW RUSSIAN TACTICS

How Russia could continue its offensive week after week, night and day, has been a puzzle to many people. One of the reasons has been disclosed by the announcement of a new technique described as the “leap-frogging” of complete armies. Such a method is practicable only where immense manpower is available. Armies three deep approach the front. While one is fighting the other two rest. In turn the supporting armies “leap-frog” the one in front and so a continuous fighting front is maintained. The front line army in each 3 case leaves its heavy equipment to be taken over by the relief. This is really only a development of similar tactics practised on a smaller scale for many years in which units of a single army advanced in 3 “leap-frogging” waves. No doubt the Germans will attempt to counter 2 it by a similar system of defensive reliefs, but certain advantages lie r with the attackers, and in any case vast numbers of men are needed to continue this tactic. the Russians well. It seems inevitable now that the line of the Dnieper will be reached. Indeed the Russians are already shelling the opposite side of the river, and it is believed that crossings are already being attempted. Smolensk having fallen, the menace to Gomel, Kiev and Dnepropetrovsk is increasing every day. If these cities fall the German “winter line” will have been wrecked and the way will r have been opened for the harrying of the German armies all the way back to the borders of Germany. Interesting developments are expected on extreme south of the front. The Germans are apparently evacuating the Kuban bridgehead and retiring to the Crimea peninsula. With I the Russians moving forward to the neck of the peninsula the Germans ! are being forced to decide whether they will risk being trapped in Crimea or whether that too will be evacuated.