IN FULL FLIGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 January 1942, Page 3

IN FULL FLIGHT

GERMAN ARMY SOUTH-WEST OF MOSCOW FOLLOWING ON RECAPTURE OF KALUGA. GREAT RUSSIAN VICTORY. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, January 1. Tn Russia the fifteen routed divisions of General Guderian’s army are in full flight, following on the Russian recapture of Kaluga. ‘ In London the recapture of this key city, 110 miles south-west of Moscow, has been hailed in some quarters as Russia's greatest victory of the war. It is pointed out that Kaluga has several important railway junctions. The capture by the Russians of a position on the northern front is regarded as of almost equal significance in its threat to the German forces on the Leningrad front. BRILLIANT SUCCESS GAINED BY SOVIET FORCES IN CRIMEA. KERCH AND THEODOSIA RETAKEN. LONDON, December 31. A Russian landing in the eastern Crimea and the occupation of Kerch are announced by Moscow radio in a special communique, which says: “On December 29 and December 30 units of the Soviet Army, operating with the Black Sea Soviet Fleet, carried out raids near Kerch. After heavy fighting the town and fortress of Kerch and the town of Theodosia (some 50 miles from Kerch„on the Black Sea coast) were occupied by our forces. The enemy troops are being pursued in both sectors and the counting of our booty is in progress.” The newspaper “Pravda” says heavy snowfalls and strong winds and sometimes rain hampered the navy, air force and infantry in the capture of Kerch, but the Russians brilliantly accomplished their task and broke the enemy’s resistance and captured his lines according to plan. The enemy retreated, abandoning arms and leaving dead and wounded on the field. The Germans left- bloody traces of their' occupation of Kerch and Theodosia. They plundered the population and befouled the towns. The Russians are continuing the pursuit and annihilation of the enemy.