ALREADY DECIDED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 October 1941, Page 5

ALREADY DECIDED

THE WAR AGAINST RUSSIA ACCORDING TO GOEBBELS. BUT RESISTANCE MAY LAST FOR SOME TIME. (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, October 15. Dr. Goebbels, in a speech in Berlin, declared that the outcome of the war against Russia had already been decided, but that the remnants of the Bolshevik divisions possibly would offer a futile and desperate resistance for some time. He added that Germany’s material position was superior to the enemy’s and that Russia was gradually learning that Germany, economically and militarily, was unassailable.

German officials claimed that German motorised columns are now driving four abreast along the roads leading to Moscow, only panzer spearheads experiencing real fighting.

GERMAN REPORT I LARGE CAPTURES CLAIMED. (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, October 15. A special communique from Hitler’s headquarters states: “The double battle of Bryansk and Viazma is approaching conclusion. During the day, forces were encircled in pockets northward of Bryansk and smashed with most

heavy and bloody losses. The mopping up of the remnants of the defeated enemy armies, encircled in the forest land southward of Bryansk, is progressing. The bulk of the German forces participating in this mighty battle have already been freed-for a continuation of operations. So far 560,000 prisoners have been taken and 888 tanks and 4,133 guns either captured or destroyed.” RAID ON MOSCOW ONLY SLIGHT DAMAGE DONE. FEW PLANES GET THROUGH DEFENCES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) RUGBY, October 15. The Moscow radio announces that German planes attempted to raid Moscow last night but were driven off by anti-aircraft fire and night fighters. A few single planes managed to break through tjje defences but only slight damage was caused.

VON NEURATH’S SONS FOUR .KILLED ON EASTERN FRONT. FEW FAMILIES ESCAPE BEREAVEMENT. (Received This Day, 11 a.m.) ANKARA, October 15. A Turkish Deputy, M. Esmer, in an article in the newspaper “Ulus,” says four sons of Baron von Neurath were killed on the Eastern front and adds that few German families have not lost a relative on this front. SPANISH LEGION ON THE EASTERN FRONT. (Received This Day, 11 a.m.) MADRID, October 15. The War Ministry states that Spain’s “Blue Legion” threw back a first Russian attack against their sector. RUSSIAN REPULSE REPORTED BY THE NAZIS. FIGHTING ON SOUTHERN FRONT. .. (Received This Day, 11 a.m.) LONDON, October 15. The German News Agency reports that the Russians, using very heavy tanks, unsuccessfully counter-attacked on the southern front and that Russian shock troops, attempting to cross a lake between the German and Russian positions were repulsed with heavy losses.

LOCAL SUCCESSES GAINED BY THE RUSSIANS ON OREL FRONT. (Received This Day, 11 a.m.) LONDON, October 15. The Moscow , radio reports Russian local successes in the Orel sector, where a unit, under Captain Katukov, destroyed 120 armoured cars and inflicted heavy losses. The desperate battle for Moscow is proceeding. The Finnish radio quotes a message from Berlin, saying that the Germans have occupied Kaluga;