FIERCEST OF WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1941, Page 6

FIERCEST OF WAR

FIGHTING FOR LENINGRAD DESPERATE NAZI EFFORT TO FORCE DECISION. ULTIMATE THREAT TO MOSCOW. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, September 19. Leningrad’s approaches are the scene of thrust and counter-thrust, as fierce as any of the war. Fighting does not abate by day or night and Marshal von Leeb is desperately making an effort to force a decision, but the Russians are constantly counter-attacking, flinging in more heavy tanks. The Germans are now claiming to have penetrated only the outer defences and being within eighteen miles of Leningrad, contrasting with their previous claim of having penetrated the inner defences and being within fifteen miles of the city’s Centre. j “The Times” Stockholm correspondent says the most important section of the fighting is south of Leningrad, particularly near Lake Ilmen. The German claims concerning action here seem exaggerated, and probably are designed to dampen the disappointment in Germany at the delayed effect of the operations against Leningrad, the announcement of which induced a general expectation that Leningrad would fall within a few days. Today’s information indicates that most of the recent fighting west of the Valdai Hills has been very costly for both sides. Both realise the vital importance of this still unfinished battle. Complete or even partial Russian success here would definitely defeat Marshal von Leeb’s offensive against Leningrad, dictating his withdrawal or threatening him with envelopment. Marshal Timoshenko’s offensive operations on the central front are important in detaining Germans from reinforcing Marshal von Leeb, but their importance should not be overestimated. Marshal Timoshenko apparently is not strong enough to make the Germans really anxious, or he would have stopped General Bock’s offensive through Gomel. Marshal Timoshenko’s defence of the western approaches to Moscow must be considered in conjunction with the defence of Leningrad. Should Marshal von Leeb capture Leningrad and Marshal Voroshilov finally lose the initiative in the Vaildai Hills, the German armies released, from Leningrad could swoop south-east to Moscow, demonstrating that Marshal Timoshenko’s local offensive is little more helpful than marking time. Thus the operations at Leningrad and the Valdai Hills today are deciding Moscow’s prospects tomorrow.