CONTINUED BY RUSSIANS ON CENTRAL FRONT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 July 1941, Page 6

CONTINUED BY RUSSIANS ON CENTRAL FRONT

Some Conflicting Claims Made

MORE ABOUT GERMAN TRANSFERS FROM AFRICA

SAID TO BE CAUSING FRICTION WITH ITALY

(By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright.)

(Received This Dav, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON 1- , July 27.

According to reports from reliable sources, the large scale counter-attack launched by the Russians on the vital central front continues. While the Russians claim that two German infantry divisions were destroyed near Smolensk, the German News Agency says that two Soviet divisions were completely wiped out in the Mchilve area and 23,000 prisoners taken. A German communique states: ‘ ‘ Operations are continuing successfully on the whole Eastern front.” The German News Agency accuses Communists of attempting to destroy corn crops in the Banat region of Yugoslavia and says several leading Communists were shot. M. Lczovsky (Soviet Assistant Foreign Commissar) stated that the Germans were transferring forces from Africa to the Eastern front. This is causing friction between the Germans and Italians.

The air raid on Moscow last night began shortly before midnight and ended at 3.30 a.m. An immense anti-aircraft barrage compelled the raiders to fly high. There were no large fires.