GERMAN THRUST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1941, Page 5

GERMAN THRUST

OUTER DEFENCES OF KIEV PENETRATED BLACK DAY FOR LUFTWAFFE. LOSS OF 112 AIRCRAFT. LONDON, September 19. The latest news of the fighting in Russia deals mainly with the fighting round Kiev, where the latest Moscow communique says that in one sector the Germans have succeeded in penetrating the outer defences and have reached the outskirts of the city. The communique says that the enemy have suffered enormous losses, but have been able to bring more men and supplies into action, thus keeping up a relentless pressure in this sector of the front. Yesterday was a black day for the Luftwaffe. Moscow says that 112 German planes were destroyed. Russian losses being 29. In the battle for Leningrad all reports indicate that there has been no slackening in the Nazis’ pressure, and , that the huge battle, in which more k-than 2,000,000 combatants are locked in '' deadly conflict, continues unabated. The Rome radio says that 1200 German planes have been over Leningrad in the past 12 hours. Nearly 200 miles to the north-east, the Finns claim to have reached the Murmansk railway 'at Petrozavodsk on Lake Onega. Fierce fighting is said to be faking place in the streets of the town. There is no further, news of the German push toward Murmansk nor anything specific from the Crimean area. Vichy quotes an Italian report that the Germans have crossed the Crimean Isthmus and have reached Verichesk. In the central sector Marshal Timoshenko still has the initiative and is continuing his attacks around Smolensk. HOPEFUL VIEW TAKEN BY GENERAL SIKORSKI. TRIBUTE TO RUSSIAN COURAGE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 18. The Polish Prime Minister, General Sikorski, broadcasting to Poles in Russia, paid a tribute to the determination and courage with which Russia is defending herself. With inexorable fate, he said, winter was coming to creat unfavourable conditions for the Germans who were still throwing more new and less trained units into battle. “Despite their successes there is nothing to indicate that they will succeed in achieving their object,’* General Sikorski said. “We must reckon that in the spring of 1942 we will have new German attempts at offensives, for they will work frantically to make up their losses. The great Western democracies must solidly resist these plans and afford Russia the most effective material aid possible. “Today victory is more certain than at any time previously, yet it depends entirely on our vigilance, our labour, and our unlimited devotion.” , General Sikorski appealed to Poles 1 in Russia to join in the fight against Germany.