SOUTHERN BATTLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 October 1941, Page 5

SOUTHERN BATTLES

RUSSIANS ATTACKING VIGOROUSLY BITTER BATTLE ON CRIMEAN ISTHMUS. NAZI PARACHUTE TROOPS GETTING READY. LONDON, October 6. The Ankara, correspondent of the National Broadcasting Company says that the Russians are reliably reported to have begun a counteroffensive in all sectors of the south- • ern front. The position generally in the Ukraine remains fluid, and there is no further news of the German thrust toward Kursk, between Kharkov and Moscow. A Moscow dispatch states that the Russian line on the Crimean isthmus is still undented, and that the battle there is as bitter as any other of the war, with the attackers losing enormously. The “Red Star” reports that German parachute divisions from Crete have been reformed after resting, and are expected to launch major operations shortly. Berlin admits Russian attacks supported by Strong tank units round Odessa. It is reported that a light Russian naval force landed a unit east of Odessa, captured some high Rumanian officers and escaped with tljem. Moscow reports local successes on the central front. It is learned today that the Russians have again improved their positions in some sectors round Leningrad. The Germans make no claims on this front. The Stockholm correspondent of “The Times” declares that the Russians still hold Detakoe Selo (formerly Tsarskoe Selo), 15 miles south of Leningrad. There are no signs that the Germans have regained the initiative round Leningrad; on the contrary, the ■ Russians are believed-to be widening the gap in the German ring through which they have been contacting the outside Russian forces. Maintenance of this break would seriously. jeopardise the German forces which are isolated toward Schlusselburg. In contrast to Herr Hitler’s speech, which would lead Germans to expect an early end to the campaign, all the leading German newspapers are now carrying articles warning against unjustified optimism. A Munich paper says: “The war in the east will remain the greatest test of the nerves and eni durance of Herr Hitler and every Ger-s’-man.” SOVIET ARCTIC SUCCESS. According to reports received in Moscow, Marshal Voroshilov’s forces have won a new victory on the River Liza, on the Murmansk front, where the Germans’ losses are now 1600 dead and several thousand wounded. The “Red Star” says tha,t the defenders of Hanko (in the Gulf of Finland) since the outbreak of war have captured 16 neighbouring islands, shot down 40 planes, sunk several warships and killed 4000 Finns. z The Moscow “Izvestia” announces the route of the 123rd German infantry division and the 89th regiment during a seven-day battle on an unindicated front, in which 2000 Germans were killed. The Russians, it is stated, have recaptured nine villages in the past two days and took at least eight earlier in the battle. The Russians are now pursuing the retreating enemy, who- originally threatened to break through' on a railway line and endanger the city of “O.”