DTOMOSHENKO EVADES EVERY GERMAN TRAP

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 174, 25 July 1942, Page 5

DTOMOSHENKO EVADES EVERY GERMAN TRAP

TITANIC STRUGGLE Nazi Designs Thwarted At Voronezh U.P.A. and British Wlrelesi. Rec. 1.30 p.m. LONDON, July 24. Reviewing the latest developments on the Russian front, a well-informed London observer, while recognising the serious strategic and economic assets the Soviet Army is losing notes the fact that the High Command has evaded one German trap after another. Marshal Timoshenko's right flank along the upper Don has stiffened and his left, about Rostov, facing the Crimea and the Kerch Strait, is no doubt strongly held. In the north the strong German efforts to hammer a way through at Voronezh regardless of terrible casualties are clear signs that the Russian resistance—and aggressive resistance at that—is thwarting the execution of very far-reaching designs against the links between the Moscow region and the southern areas. The observer considers that in the central area in the wide plain enclosed by the great bend in the lower Don, a crucial battle may soon be fought in the sector governing the approach to Stalingrad, the tank and industrial centre on the Volga. The Germans are throwing into the struggle great concentrations of aircraft and armoured formations, and large contingents of Italian, Hungarian and Rumanian infantry. The indications are that Marshal Timoshenko's weary but unbroken troops are falling back towards massed reserves.

The Vichy radio says the Germans have crossed the Don at Konstanti-i-ovsk, near the confluence of the Don and Donetz Rivers. The Don at this point is very wide.

Enemy's Immense Air Power

The main conclusion to be drawn from the battles of the Don is that the enemy is superior not only in tanks but in air strength, says the Moscow correspondent of the Daily Telegraph.

The Luftwaffe still surpasses anything expected, in spite of the battles in Egypt and the retention of fighters to resist British night raids against Germany and the daylight sweeps over France.

The Germans have been heavily bombing Rostov since they were thrown out of the city last November, also all the roads and railways to Rostov. German air activity on the railways and roads behind Rostov and against the bridges across the Don is almost incredibly strong.

Another message from Moscow says the Red Air Force, using Bostons and Boeings, throughout the night pounded the German supply lines south of Voronezh. It is also hammering the Germans on the lower Don. Stormovik dive-bombers are concentrating against the panzers. Reds' Success at Leningrad The Russians, in a surprise attack on the Leningrad front, pierced three German defence lines. Marines from the Baltic Fleet wiped out 35 enemy batteries with shellfire. The Germans rushed up strong reinforcements, including air squadrons, but were unable to stem the Russians, who captured a German staff headquarters and much booty.

Desultory artillery duels and patrol activities are going on along the Kalinin front. Two Soviet parties routed German garrisons at two points, and a Russian unit penetrated the enemy rear, where it derailed 10 trains.