GERMAN PUSH IN CAUCASUS

Southland Times, Issue 24830, 24 August 1942, Page 5

GERMAN PUSH IN CAUCASUS

Nazis Pause Before Mountain Chain

(Rec. 6.30 pm.) LONDON, August 22. The German West Caucasian push against the distant approaches of Novorossisk and Tuapse is stuck for the moment before the mountain chain backing these important seaports, says the Stockholm correspondent of The Times. The Russians mention hard fighting southwards of Krasnodar, but the Germans apparently have not yet reorganized sufficiently' to tackle the hazardous task of a determined drive through the difficult hill chain. German progress eastward hitherto has been by spurts, the most recent of which carried them through part of the Spa district. The Germans have nowhere succeeded in getting more than a transient footing on the left bank of the Don. The Daily Telegraph’s Moscow correspondent says there are still some Germans across the Don Elbow, 40 miles westward of Stalingrad.. The re-

mains of this bridgehead, which is situated on the east bank of the river, are being fiercely counter-attacked. The Germans south-west of Kletskaya hold a long stretch of the west bank and are marshalling heavy forces. The Germans vainly attempted to force several routes across the river. Furious fighting is going on on the bridgehead across the Don Elbow. The Russians are crushing the Germans with tank and bayonet charges and are throttling the Germans against the bank, crushing them under tank caterpillars, hurling them in thick bundles down the bank into the river and slaughtering them in the water with machine-gun and mortar fire. GERMAN STRATEGY Exploitation Of Russia (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 22. Questioned about the opening of a second front in Europe, the Wilhelmstrasse military spokesman admitted it was possible, ‘‘provided it was attempted with sufficient men and equipment.” The spokesman, who is quoted by The Times correspondent on the German frontier, added that failure to open a second front would substantially improve the Axis prospects for next spring if, as was hoped, the Russian campaign was concluded decisively by the end of September at the latest. Asked to define what he meant by “decisively,” the spokesman said the German leaders now realized the impossibility of occupying the whole of Russia, hence the High Command must sooner or later choose a line to mark the extremity of the advance that could

easily be held against Russian counterattacks and behind which the economic exploitation of Occupied Russia could proceed undisturbed. Little, however, would be gained if the Russians succeeded in withdrawing with their armies intact behind the Volga nor could the German purpose be achieved unless the Russian military equipment was destroyed and resuscitation prevented by the occupation or paralyss of the supply routes through Persia, Murmansk and Archangel. The correspondent says that if the Russians were not smashed and isolated they would, as last year, organize a winter offensive, thus keeping in the field several million Germans whose release during the winter for munitions making was vital if another offensive was to be undertaken next spring. In view of the approach of winter Marshal Timoshenko’s continual retreats and delaying actions are causing the German High Command great uneasiness. The German High Command prefers great pitched battles, making possible the destruction of the Russian Army. If the Russians were reduced to impotence before the end of September the winter interval would be employed in preparation for an invasion of England in the spring of 1943. Wide differences of opinion exist between German military experts about the feasibility of this plan, many being sceptical about its success unless Japan is induced to invade Siberia. Japan so far has not undertaken to comply with German wishes and is less disposed to do so after the attack on the Solomons.

IRAQ PREPARED TO AID ALLIES (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) BAGHDAD, Aug. 22. The Prime Minister of Iraq, Nuri-I-Said, stated: “1 do not think the Germans will attempt to break through the Caucasus Mountains, but if they do and reach our frontiers we will declare war and fight for the Allies.” He added that Iraq’s military defences were good. Iraq had full faith in Turkey, who would not allow aggression to go unchallenged.

“We are also confident that our allies will hold the Egyptian front,” he said. “Something must have gone wrong there last June, but military mistakes occur in every campaign. We have been greatly encouraged by the arrival of British and American reinforcements in the Middle East. We are most grateful for the support reecived from the Middle East Supply Board, which is helping us to solve economic problems.” Nuri-I-Said blamed Mr Gandhi’s weakness and insincerity for India’s troubles. “I advise Mr Gandhi to ask the Japanese to withdraw from China and elsewhere before asking Britain to withdraw from India,” he said. “Then both his and Japanese sincerity will be proved.”