BATTLE FOR AIR MASTERY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23967, 7 June 1943, Page 5

BATTLE FOR AIR MASTERY

Russian Bombing Grows in Power RAIL JUNCTIONS ATTACKED (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 6. The battle for mastery of the air on the Russian front is continuing day and night in what is believed to be the prelude to a flare-up in the land fighting. Russian bombers continue to smash vital German communications and supply centres in night attacks which are reaching new levels of power and concentration. A special Soviet communique says: “On Friday night Soviet Iqng-range aircraft carried out a mass raid against the railway junctions of Bryansk and Karachev. Direct hits were observed, followed by large fires and explosions.’’ A special announcement over the Moscow radio stated: "During Friday night Soviet long-range aircraft, carried out a mass raid on the railway junction of Orel and the surrounding area. Five hundred and twenty aeroplanes took oart. As a result of devastating bombing of the railway junction great fires broke out. Railway trains and ammunition and oil dumps were left burning. The fires were accompanied by powerful explosions. One Soviet aeroplane failed to return.” Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says that the Luftwaffe, which has made thousands of sorties in the last few days, is paying a heavy price. The Red Air Force is each day revealing itself more powerful than at any time since the start of the Russian-German war. . . ~ One result of the Russian air offensive, he adds, is a change of opinion regarding where the Germans will launch their attack. It is claimed that the Russian bombers interfered with the original enemy plans to strike from Bryansk, with Moscow as the target. and it is believed that the Germans will now strike in the Ukraine and the Donets basin. • German Air Losses

“Hitler has lost the air battle in Russia,” says the Moscow radio. “Germany’s greatest air defeat of the war occurred last Wednesday, when the -Luftwaffe, in addition to losing 162 aeroplanes over Kursk, lost on the same, day 19 in the Lisitichansk area, 25 in the Leningrad area, and 37 in the Kuban. “The Germans m May alone lost 2609 aeroplanes on the Russian front. These losses, with those our allies have inflicted, represent a much larger number than the Germans can build in a month. The Russian Air Force is using a new dive-bomber, the Petrikov 2, known as the PR2.” The Berlin radio says that more than 1000 German aeroplanes again at-, tacked Kursk on Friday, subjecting the city to 36 hours' continuous blitz. The ground fighting is at present on a restricted scale, except in the Kuban area. The German defences in the Kuban continue to hold up the Russians, mainly because the terrain is very difficult. A Soviet communique says: “There have been no important changes on the land fronts. There is local activity on the central front, the Kalinin front, and the Leningrad front, in the Lisitichansk area, and west of Rostov. Over 1000 Germans were killed, much equipment was destroyed, and many prisoners were captured. Seven German aeroplanes were shot down in the Leningrad area.” Tension Along Front

Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says that there is tension along the whole Russian front, with an air of expectancy everywhere. Detailing the sectors, the correspondent says that the Red Army on the Kalinin front holds the initiative and has improved its line. The Russians struck forward in a new local attack, capturing another village and a dominant hill. German attempts to restore the position failed. The.Russians are giving the finishing touches to their defences at Voroshilovgrad. For example the whole population has recently been working on fortifications, and Russian artillery has been systematically weakening the German positions. The guns are roaring all day and night at the Listichansk bridgehead, where a big German drive is expected. The Germans are maintaining .permanent night dive-bombing attacks against the swaying pontoon bridge across the Donets, over which Russian lorries still trundle, The German News Agency on Friday night admitted that the Red Army at Velizh had breached the main German defence line, ‘‘Heavy battles near Belizh continued until late last night,’’ Said the agency, ‘‘The Russians, in order to press home their attacks against the Germans’ positions, which a few days ago had collapsed, brought up three reformed rifle divisions and a tank brigade and attacked throughout the day. Several tanks penetrated to the rear of our main defence line, but our final counter-thrust overwhelmed the Russian infantry.” “Last Critical Campaign’’ ‘‘The Red Army is preparing for what is generally believed will be the last critical campaign in the eastern war.” says the Moscow correspondent of the ‘‘New York Times” (Carl Sulzberger). ‘‘A final decision will be forced ‘‘The Soviet Command, by drawing on the enormous resources of manpower, stepping up production, and utilising the mounting Allied material, has been able to remodel the Red Army since 1941 and render it more modern. more efficient, and better equipped. ‘‘The resilience which permitted this reorganisation and improvement is a tribute to the wise Soviet strategy, described as ‘active defence.’ This means, according to the prominent Rus. sian strategist, Professor Minz, fighting for every inch of territory and holding on to every village and town as long as possible so as to gain time and bleed the enemy as much as possible. The world is aware that this strategy was satisfactorily carried out in the first summer of the eastern war, but it is less aware of the extent of the reorganisation and improvement in efficiency of the Red Army and its offensive and defensive tactics. ‘‘The outstanding changes since the start of the war include a complete alteration in the High Command, with the submergence of old-timers and the emergence of new, younger figures such as General Zhukov. However, the most important factor in the improvement is the emergence of a new type of officer who can and does effect quick decisions and is not afraid to take responsibility.” Medals for Leningrad Defenders.—A medal has been struck and presented to the heroes of the defence of Leningrad, states the Moscow radio. The recipients include M. Shdonov, chairman of the Leningrad Soviet, Marshals Voroshilov and Zhukov. Air Marshal Noviktv, and Artillery Marshal Voronov.—London, June 5.