CLAIMED BY THE GERMANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 October 1941, Page 5

CLAIMED BY THE GERMANS

Break in Moscow Defences Admitted by Soviet BUT RUSSIANS STILL FIGHTING INDOMITABLY SUCCESSES IN COUNTER-OFFENSIVE AT LENINGRAD LONDON, October 16. The Russians admit a break through by the Germans towards Moscow and the enemy claims to have occupied Odessa. The Russians do not refer to the enemy claims regarding Odessa. No indication is given of the position or extent of the Nazi thrust towards Moscow. Russian forces are still strongly resisting and counter-attacking. Whatever territory the Germans have gained, it is clear that considerable Russian forces have escaped the German pincers. The “Isvestia” states that danger is hovering over Moscow but that, fighting day and night, the Russian troops continue the unremitting struggle. The whole people are now becoming Red Army soldiers. The most dangerous German thrusts appear to be from the Kalinin area, in the north, and from Orel in the south. The Germans report fighting at several points along Moscow’s outer defensive line, about 70 miles from the city. The Moscow radio says the serious threat to Moscow brings the enemy no nearer to victory. Arms supplied by the Allies are beginning to arrive and these supplies will increase month by month. Deep to the rear of the Russian lines, in the Urals, the Caucasus, in Central Asia and the Volga, industries have been established which can and must provide what is needed by the fighting forces. . . The Russians report that the garrison at Leningrad is taking the offensive. In strong counter-movements, the enemy has been flung out of heavily fortified positions, leaving behind him 10,000 killed and ’wounded. The fall of Odessa is claimed by the Rumanian headquarters. A communique stated that troops had succeeded in an offensive against Odessa and had penetrated the last lines of resistance.

This afternoon the enemy claims to have marched into the city and that the last nests of opposition are being cleared up in the streets. The population, it is claimed, received the German and Rumanian troops with enthusiasm.