REACHING MAIN ROAD TO MOSCOW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 June 1941, Page 6

REACHING MAIN ROAD TO MOSCOW

Reported by Nazi News Agency SOME SUCCESSES CLAIMED BY RUSSIANS PRAYERS FOR VICTORY IN ORTHODOX CHURCHES (By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON 1 ", June 29. The German News Agency claims that German armoured units have penetrated beyond Minsk and reached the main road to Moscow. A "Russian communique states: “Our forces are holding up the enemy infantry attempting to link up with advanced tank' columns in the direction of Minsk and Baranowicze. Heavy losses were inflicted on the enemy. Large-scale tank battles are continuing in the Luck area. Our Air Force dealt crushing blows against enemy tanks. Enemy attempts to penetrate the Soviet-Finnish frontier were beaten back by our forces holding the west frontier.” Twelve thousand people thronged the Moscow Cathedral when prayers were offered for the defeat of Germany. An overflow crowd of many thousands stood in the courtyard, The Acting-Patriarch, M. Sergei, left his sick bed to conduct high Mass. Similar services were held in 25 churches in Moscow. M. Sergei sent a message to the churches: “The church blesses all members of the Russian Orthodox Church defending the holy frontiers of the Fatherland.”