RUSSIAN TRANSPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 July 1941, Page 6

RUSSIAN TRANSPORT

SAIB TO BE WORKING WELL GERMANS IN INCREASING DIFFICULTIES. SURRENDER OF SLOVAK REGIMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, July 27. London military circles link up the Russian communique’s announcement that two Nazi infantry divisions were routed with the German claim that fresh Soviet troops were thrown into rhe battle in the Viazma area and repelled with heavy losses. It is generally considered that the usual Axis policy of claiming extravagant successes in an effort to counter more reliable later reports from their enemy has been employed in this instance, and greater credence, therefore, is attached to the Russian claim. Russia is now enabled to mobilise fully her reserves, and other such reverses, at least local, are possibly in store for Hitler.

A full Slovak regiment has surrendered to the Red Army, according to reports reaching Moscow. The Slovaks shouted, “Do not shoot. We are not Germans,” and tore off their German badges. They explained later that they were only waiting for the opportunity to surrender because the Germans were using them as cannon fodder. The Ankara correspondent of the British United Press says it is reliably reported that Russian parachutists have been dropped in various parts of Bulgaria. Only a few have been captured or killed and the remainder are being hidden by Bulgarian peasants. The Moscow correspondent of the British United Press says the Russians are now operating on nearer supply bases and are better placed to reinforce their troops than the Germans, who are finding increased difficulty in supplying the gigantic war machine which alone has any chance of succeeding. Russia’s transport system surprisingly has not shown signs of breaking d&wn. Ruthless priority is given to military needs. It is increasingly clear that the wellarmed and supplied Russian guerrillas are proving more valuable than merely nuisances and are greatly worrying the Gemans.

There is no indication of German superiority in aeroplanes or tanks and still less in the High Command and human material. Germany risks losing the war’s biggest gamble during the next few weeks.