RUSSIAN FLEET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 July 1941, Page 6

RUSSIAN FLEET

MOVED FROM BALTIC TO WHITE SEA IN SPITE OF GERMAN DIVE-BOMBERS. SUBMARINES & OTHER SHIPS GET THROUGH. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, Noon.) LONDON, July 10. The successful extrication of a majority of the Soviet submarines from the Baltic, despite mass divebombing attacks, is reported by the “Daily Telegraph’s” Stockholm correspondent. The Russians soon realised that submarines would be of little use in the Baltic, because of German mining and the withdrawal to port of German surface craft, with the fact that German troops and equipment had already gone to Finland. It was apparent that if the enemy conquered Estonia and advanced to Leningrad, the Red Fleet ; would'be trapped. It was therefore decided to evacuate as much as possible through the Stalin Canal to the White Sea, there to continue the struggle alongside the Arctic Fleet and the British Navy. The Germans divebombed the canal day and night while Russian fighters escorted the sub- ’ marines through the canal. The Germans damaged the canal and destroyed at least one vessel, but the main fleet ’ got through.

POST FOR LITVINOV

IN CHARGE OF RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN. (By-Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, Noon.) MOSCOW, July 10. M. Litvinov has been placed in charge of Soviet relations with Britain and the United States, relieving M. Molotov (Foreign Minister) and enabling him to co-operate fully with M. Stalin in the prosecution of the war.