THREAT TO MINSK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 June 1941, Page 5

THREAT TO MINSK

FIRST NAZI PENTRATION OF RUSSIA PROPER. SUPPOSED ENEMY AIMS & HOPES. LONDON, June 27. Important news this morning is the Moscow radio’s admission that German tanks hayei broken through in the direction of Minsk, representing an advance of a hundred miles in 24 hours.'Minsk is 30 miles within the border of White Russia. This move is the first penetration of Russia proper. An earlier official message from Moscow referred to fierce fighting with large enemy tank units that had infiltrated into our territory in the Minsk sector. It adds: “The fighting continues.” The Germans have not yet mentioned Minsk and continue their reluctance to name places. A Zurich correspondent learns from Berlin that the High Command which a few days ago informed neutral journalists that a full statement of the situation would be given on Thursday, now says the statement has been postponed until Saturday or Sunday at the latest. The correspondent adds that the High Command certainly expected the war to enter Soviet territory by Thursday and is now convinced that the Germans aim to reach it at the weekend.

RUMANIAN GOVERNMENT DEPARTURE FROM BUCHAREST. ANKARA, June 27. The Rumanian Government has left Bucharest following Soviet air attacks. DRAGGED INTO WAR POSITION OF FINLAND. LONDON. June 27. It is officially claimed in Berlin that the position in Finland has been clarified and that the Finnish army is fighting beside the Germans, though the Helsinki correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain claims that Finland has not yet taken the offensive against Russia. The Helsinki newspaper “Stiomcn Sosialidemokraatti” says Finland does not want war though she is apparently at war without a declaration. Every Finn is needed for peaceful works. An official Russian statement accuses Finland of the flagrant violation of the Russian-Finnish peace treaty. “The Red Army and Red Fleet will strike heavily against the Finnish-Hit-ler gang which dragged Finland into war,” it says.

ITALIAN DIVISION PROBABLY TO FIGHT RUSSIA. LEGION OF FRENCH “VOLUNTEERS.” LONDON, June 26. Mussolini inspected an army division at Verona after which he told the troops that it was probable that they would fight against Russia, the mortal enemy of civilisation. It is reported from Vichy that a legion of volunteers is being raised in the occupied zone to fight against Russia.