ADDITIONAL BLOWS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 September 1941, Page 6

ADDITIONAL BLOWS

STRUCK BY RUSSIANS EVIDENCE OF INCREASING GAINS. EXAMPLE OF NAZI “GALLERY TALK.” (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 10. “The . Times” military writer says independent corroboration of a substantia! advance by Marshal Timoshenko’s forces has been received in London. It was previously known that a well-directed counter-attack had been in progress for over a week, and it now appears that in addition a considerable gain of territory has been made south-eastward and southward of Smolensk. Another counter-attack further south, roughly' about half-way between Smolensk and Kiev is also meeting with a large measure of success. These advances are proof, not only of the splendid morale of the Russian armies, but of the retention of the of-

fensive spirit by their commanders after a long period of retreat. “The Times” correspondent on the German frontier says there is still no proof that Leningrad is isolated by land. On the contrary, the Russians are apparently operating at least one important railway connection between Leningrad and Moscow. A vHlhelmstrasse spokesman declared: “If Leningrad is one hundred per cent defended, it will be one hundred per cent destroyed,” but “the Times" correspondent describes the threat as “mere playing to the gallery,” because the Germans don’t want a heap of ruins, but Leningrad's industrial potential, and also winter quarters for the German Army.