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Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 August 1941, Page 6

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BHMiMMMByEFRONT m the Ukraine AND RUSSIAN COUNTER-STROKE HEAVY TANK ATTACK IN SMOLENSK AREA (By Telegraph. —Press Association. —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 3. While Russian tank forces are heavily attacking in the Smolensk area, in an attempt to smash Germany s preparations for a third great offensive, the Germans have opened a new offensive on Kiev, driving from the west and soutn-west in a pincers move. The Nasis have advanced twenty miles from the west, but are held by the defenders at Korostyshev, 65 miles from Kiev. A determined Russian resistance is also holding the second claw of the pincers thrust at Byelaya-Tseikov, 45 miles south-west of Kiev. Military experts in London are asking whether the Russian tank attacks in the central sector mark the start of a big Soviet counter-offensive. It is obvious that the Russian commanders are convinced that the greatest weight of German equipment and manpower was used in the second offensive ano. have decided to throw in a heavy attack against the Germans in the Smolensk salient, while the German tactics are changing for a new offensive. The “Sunday Express’’ states that Hitler has ordered that the German thrust must go forward before the Russian blow can be launched. It is a race between the Germans and the Russians to get in first with the next big offensive, adds the newspaper. Mr’J. L. Garvin, writing in the ‘ ‘ Observer, ’ ’ says: After six weeks, the Russians are holding out in a way that was thought unbelievable. Because of their brilliant originality of tactical resource, which has been perfectly adapted to the the interminable space of their country, they have beaten the blitzkrieg proper. ’ ’