HEAVY DEFEAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 March 1942, Page 3

HEAVY DEFEAT

SUFFERED BY GERMANS FORTIFIED CENTRE LOST IN SPITE OF DESPERATE DEFENCE. SOVIET PROGRESS IN SMOLENSK REGION. LONDON. March 6. The Moscow radio today emphasises the importance of ■ the capture by the Soviet forces, of the town of Yukhnov, in the Smolensk region, about half-way between Kalugan and Viaznia. The town had been very heavily fortified by the Germans as a base for their spring offensive and the defending forces had been ordered to hold it at all costs. The battle for the town went on for many days and when they entered it the Russians engaged in fierce street fighting. With the town, the Russians have captured a large aerodrome, protected by subterranean and other forts. The Germans had turned the whole neighbourhood into a strongly fortified zone. There were minefields everywhere and every village was made a fortress, the whole area being covered by cross-fire from the German artillery. Nevertheless, they were unable to stop the Red Army, which smashed the outer defences and then stormed the town itself.

In a last desperate effort to hold Yukhnov, the Germans rushed up heavy reinforcements by air from France and elsewhere. The Russian threat to Smolensk has been substantially increased. In the Staraya Russa area, the plight of the surrounded German 16th Army is becoming more critical. Berlin claims that the beleaguered army is being supplied by air, but the Russians report that they destroyed thirty German troop-carrying planes as soon as they landed on the aerodrome. In other sectors the Russian pressure is forcing Hitler to throw in more reinforcements intended for his spring offensive. The Germans admit attacks by superior Russian forces east of the Orel-Kharkov line. STREAMING EAST NAZI REINFORCEMENTS. DREADFUL MAN TO MAN BATTLES. LONDON, March 6. The Berlin correspondent of the Stockholm newspaper “Svenska Dagbladet” reports that German troop trains filled with young recruits and new motorised units are streaming eastward daily. The main roads to Russia have been strengthened to withstand heavy motor vehicles. Thousands of stakes are spread like a carpet to prevent motor vehicles becoming bogged when the snow melts. Dykes have been erected to collect flood water, bridges have been strengthened against floods by concrete pillars, and bridge-building material has been assembled on the banks of rivers to replace immediately bridges which may be washed away. A broadcast from the German lines tonight spoke of dreadful man-to-man battles in several sectors. It was admitted that Russian troops, supported by tanks and artillery, had broken through to a depth of several miles. Berlin also spoke of fierce fighting in the Crimea round Sebastopol. The position here is not clear, but it seems, certain that the Russians are making formidable attacks on the German positions. It is reported that more than once the Russians broke through to the German rear. SOVIET INVENTION GIVING ADDED STRIKING POWER TO GUNS. LONDON, March 6. The Moscow radio reports that a new invention which multiplies the striking power of artillery was tested on March 4, with “brilliant results.” It gave no details, but added that the inventor, a military engineer named Alexandrov, has been decorated with the Order of the Red Star.