GERMAN ONSLAUGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 July 1941, Page 6

GERMAN ONSLAUGHT

FURIOUS BID FOR MASTERY OF UKRAINE Two Mechanised Columns Pushing Ahead MORE EVIDENCE OF FIRM RUSSIAN RESISTANCE REPORTED BREAK IN WEATHER (By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 1.0 pan.) LONDON, July 3. With the battle for White Russia undecided and the passage of the historic Eeresina River still disputed, the Germans have swung huge forces southwards of the Pripet marshes in a furious endeavour to break the Stalin Jine guarding the Ukraine. The usual technique has been employed—two mechanised columns pushing ahead of the main body of the German forces, one aiming directly against Kiev, with Shepetovka as its immediate objective. The other column, with a preliminary twist southwards, is trying to outflank the Russians. A break in the weather is reported on important sectors of the front. The Berlin News Agency declares that it is affecting the fighting and claims that snow has fallen in the region of Lwow (Lemberg). This announcement, together with a further reference to obstinate Russian resistance, followed within a few hours'of the German High Command’s bold declaration that the resistance of the Red Army seems to have been broken. There are no reports of any important developments in the Arctic or in Bessarabia. The Hungarian General Staff claims that Hungarian troops have continued to advance beyond the Carpathians. The Russian Air Force has again been active. Heavy smoke was seen rising from the Malmi area after a Russian raid on an important air base there.

OFFICIAL REPORTS BALANCE OF AIR LOSSES NAZI TALK OF RUSSIAN RETREAT. ADVANCE ON DNIESTER. (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) LONDON July 3. A Russian communique states: “We

shot down 61 planes in combat on July 2 and 3 and lost 28. A German communique says: “Our armies are attacking along the whole front between the Black Sea and the Arctic. The power of resistance of the Soviet Army seems to have been broken. Retreating movements are everywhere in evidence. German and Rumanian units crossed the Pruth River from Northern Moldavia and are now advancing towards the Dniester River.”