GENERAL SURVEY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 September 1941, Page 6

GENERAL SURVEY

SOME GIVE AND TAKE NEAR LENINGRAD TIMOSHENKO’S EXTENDING SUCCESS. REDUCTION OF SMOLENSK WEDGE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, September 29. Reports of major operational activities on the Russian-German front continue to be meagre, probably reflecting some diminution of the scale of fighting, but certainly not in its ferocity nor intensity. Changes in the relative positions of the opposing forces include a slight give and take of ground in the Leningrad area and also some further indentation of the once thick Smolensk wedge, which recently lost its regular shape as a result of Marshal Timoshenko's counter-attacks, particularly around Elnia. where his successes were somewhat extended during the weekend. The Soviet Information Bureau tonight declared that General Guderian's forces were still retreating, following on their recent repulse near Bryansk and that the Russians had captured two more villages. “Highways and villages retaken by the Red Army in this sector,” it is stated, “are littered with the wreckage of German tanks.” The bureau adds that General Guderian is withdrawing south-westwards and has tried to establish a new line, but Marshal Timoshenko’s units worsted the German rearguards. Half of the German 23rd motorised infantry regiment, which unsuccessfully attempted to defend one village, consisted of youths of eighteen, who had reached the front on the previous week.