LAUNCHED BY GERMANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 October 1941, Page 5

LAUNCHED BY GERMANS

Along Whole Eastern Front RUSSIANS MAINTAINING STUBBORN RESISTANCE EVERY PREPARATION TO MEET NEW THRUST LONDON, October 7. The Germans say they have launched heavy air attacks along the entire Russian front, an announcement from Berlin stating that a terrific air onslaught had been made from Leningrad to the Black Sea. It is claimed that the great new two-pronged drive towards Moscow is proceeding according to plan. The only news from Moscow is that the Russians are stubbornly resisting. A Soviet spokesman said the offensive had begun. Hitler had several hundred thousand extra men who wanted to be buried and this would be done. The capture of cities did not bring victory. The Soviet Army had made every preparation to meet the new thrust.

Russian local successes are reported at several places on the central sector, some of them against panzer wedges protruding into the Russian positions. Russian planes accounted for 62 out of 81 tanks in one area. At another place, enemy tanks which broke through were attacked by infantry who threw bottles of petrol. Ten tanks were set on fire. In the Sea of Azov area the Germans claim to have captured two ports 45 miles apart, but there is no confirmation of this report. Enemy artillery at Odessa is being forced back by Russian naval action. When German Junkers aircraft attacked an Eastern front aerodrome where R.A.F. fighters were stationed, three of the raiders were shot down and nearly all the others were damaged.