GREATEST DANGER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 September 1941, Page 6

GREATEST DANGER

ON THE EASTERN FRONT THREAT TO THE CAUCASUS. AREA VITAL TO RUSSIA AND ALLIES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.8 a.m.) RUGBY, September 28. In the opinion of a majority of military correspondents, the greatest danger on the Eastern front

comes from the armies under Field-Marshal von Rundstedt, which are endeavouring to push across the South Ukraine to the Caucasus.

The “New Statesman” says: “The weakest front of the three turned out to be the Ukraine. The German advance guard on the shores of the Sea of Azov is already dangerously far on the road to the Caucasus and its oil wells, which, the Russians must hold at all costs, and which are more vital than the Suez Canal and Gibraltar together. Half of the reason everyone perceives. The wells, even if they were thoroughly wrecked, could in part at least, after, much delay,' be turned to the German’s use, but it is an “’even greater consideration that without oil the Red Army and Russia itself would fatally collapse. On these wells depend, not only our Ally’s planes and tanks, but the tractors that drive his ploughs and feed both Army and people. The mechanisation of agriculture involved this risk. Should the wells be lost, Russia within six months would face both defeat and starvation: With that catastrophe, our own hopes of victory would vanish, for there is no other Army on which we could rely to effect the liberation of Europe. This danger is still a long way off. The distance yet to be covered is forbidding. Odessa and the Crimea still hold out, the mountain ranges are formidable and on this march the Germans would have to expose, over vast distances, an uncovered left flank, but for a stake so decisive they will use all their - resources of daring and ingenuity.” GERMAN REPORT GUNS SHELL KRONSTADT & COASTAL AREA. (Received This Day, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, September 28. A German communique does not mention land fighting. It says: “Heavy Army batteries effectively shelled Soviet warships in Kronstadt harbour and the coastal area. One cruiser was set on fire. Our Air Force attacked trains and railway works at Kharkov, in the Moscow area and in the vicinity of the source of the Volga.” ■ RAIN CONTINUES FACTOR THAT SHOULD FAVOUR RUSSIANS. ißritish Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.45 a.m.) RUGBY, September 28. The only war news from Russia reaching London today was of heavy fighting going on along the entire front. Rain is continuing to fall. Authoritative quarters in London regard this as a good factor in aiding Russian resistance.