GRIM RESISTANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 July 1941, Page 5

GRIM RESISTANCE

MAINTAINED BY THE RUSSIAN ARMIES Nazi Admissions of Difficulty on Eastern Front HEAVIER FORCES BEING THROWN IN REPORT OF ENEMY ENTRY INTO SMOLENSK UNCONFIRMED LONDON, July 4. A Moscow newspaper confirms the statement that the Russians on the eastern front are under extremely heavy pressure, but it remains confident of the ultimate result. German newspapers are surprised at the obstinate will to resist shown by the Russians, obliging the Germans to thrown in far bigger forces than it was originally thought would be necessary. The Russians never surrender, one message states. The Germans seem to be anxious as to the magnitude of the Russian reserves. The strength of the Russian Army has been given at 4,500,000 men, but Moscow has sometimes claimed a strength of 10,000,000. The Germans continue to speak of the difficulties of the campaign. Fighting on a big scale is proceeding in the rear of the foremost German detachments and the German troops are constantly encountering unexpected opposition. The Russians are carrying out Stalin’s instructions regarding total destruction in the path of the Germans. In the Baltic sector, the Russians have taken up new positions, after stubborn and successful resistance to the enemy in the Dvinsk area. In the central sector, German troops are reported' to have crossed the Beresina River at several points. The Russians say they have inflicted heavy losses on the enemy by artillery fire and bombing from the air. The Germans mention the difficulties encountered through the Russians destroying the river bridges. An unconfirmed report says the Germans have reached Smolensk, 200 miles on the road to Moscow. In the south, the Russians say they have successfully counteracted the German penetration- to the east and south-east. The German and Hungarian High Commands state that Hungarian troops, advancing through the Carpathian Mountains have linked up with the German right flank. In Rumania, the Berlin radio gives the point at which the Germans yesterday claimed to have crossed the river Pruth. It is 70 miles southeast of Czernowitz.