RUSSIA’S ORDEAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 October 1941, Page 5

RUSSIA’S ORDEAL

VERY SERIOUS VIEW TAKEN IN BRITAIN IMPLICATIONS FOR EMPIRE. VITAL IMPORTANCE OF IRAN LIFELINE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 26. In spite of the rapid approach of full winter conditions along the whole Eastern Front, the first manifestations of which have already appeared, and of the unremitting Russian resistance which, after over'three weeks of most intense fighting appears to have prevented the Germans from advancing anywhere on the Moscow perimeter nearer than some 50 miles from the capital, the position of the Soviet is clearly considered by competent observers to be as serious as at any time since the war started, over four months ago.

Mr J. L. Garvin reviews the position fully in his paper, “The Observer.” He says: “We must envisage with steady eyes the situation which is now developing in the Soviet Union itself. Three things must be distinguished: First, the menace to Moscow itself; second, the future of the Red armies; third, the sinister German drive in the south through the industrial Ukraine toward Rostov. That position, to which they are now pretty near, is regarded by the invaders as an invaluable key to further communications leading on to the lower Volga, the Caspian Sea, and the Caucasus. “Whether they are to be attempted by hook or crook during the winter or reserved for reorganised operations on the largest scale next spring, these further spaces are now the enemy’s certain objectives. The bearing on the whole position of the British Empire in the Middle East might become direct and momentous. For one thing, success of the German designs beyond Rostov would threaten or frustrate the new lifeline of communication between Britain and Russia through Iran. A common battlefront with Jur allies may have to come. MIGHTY DRAMA OF MOSCOW. “Moscow is a mighty drama by itself. As yet we are only witnessing the beginnings of its climax. Partly the enemy is delayed by fearful weather, as well as the obstinate defence, and partly by his regrouping for a final offensive which is meant to be irresistible. “Even the Russians never have fought better than in the last week. They have slowed up the whole plan of envelopment in its central operations, and held it up on the wings. But the wheel of the immense machine grinds on, though the invaders are labouring under execrable conditions through forest and swamp, snow, rain, mist and mud. Weather and prestige may compel Hitler to make a bigger and wider bid than yet appears for the capture of Moscow as his winter quarters. But he may not succeed, or not before he has had to digest his fury under galling disappointment. “It seems almost certain that the glorious Russian resistance has secured for a formidable bulk of the Red armies a far better chance to effect their escape from the ‘octopus’ operations. If this should be so, as we hope and believe, the,enemy will be cheated of his most coveted prey. TIMOSHENKO’S HEAVY TASK. “In the south, Marshal Timoshenko takes over at a grave hour. To stem' the invaders will take him all he knows, yet he may frustrate their more' far-flung ambitions. To gloss over the facts as they are would be worse than futile. The Russian forces, bravely as they have fought, are at far more of a disadvantage than before. Since the retreat from the Dneiper they have had a chance to consolidate

in sufficient strength on favourable lines. They are outnumbered as well as out-mechanised by the Nazi hosts.

“The extent of the German march by now has become ravaging and the prospect is that the whole of the industrial Ukraine and the Donetz Basin must now fall into their hands. They are already in the heart of it and are now moving to outflank and envelop the remaining key points.” Turning to the threat to the important oil and communications centre of Rostov, Mr Gavin says: “The distribution of the Caucasus oil far and wide depends on it. Not only that: It opens the way to all the best strategical routes leading to the lower Volga from Stalingrad to Astrakhan and to the northern face of the Caucasus as well as to the Caspian Sea. “It is reported at this moment that the invaders are making another attack in heavier force on the Crimea. If they could capture that stubborn obstacle their way to the Caucasus would be shortened by a giant stride. And were the Crimea firmly in their hands they would bring to bear on Turkey every recourse of threat and lure. “When these stern facts are faced we marvel more at the undiminished promise of Russia’s unyielding defence, and we are nerved more than ever to grapple with our sworn task of supplying the defenders.

“In the Urals and far beyond, not merely are the potential resources inexhaustible, but it is estimated that some millions of skilled workers are already being removed from invaded Russia to the region of the new arsenals 1000 miles away from the furthest 'points yet reached by the German armies.

“It is certain that the new armies which are to be trained in different regions under Marshals Voroshilov and Budenny will be formidable in numbers beyond what Hiller has imagined in his darkest dreams. But all depends on the equal equipment of those numbers. With that an ultimate victory of the common cause will be assured in Russia and the world. Nothing else on earth- can make it assured.”