IN GOOD SHAPE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1942, Page 4

IN GOOD SHAPE

RUSSIAN TROOPS ALONG WHOLE FRONT GERMAN RELIEF FORCES KEPT BUSY. PREPARATIONS FOR OFFENSIVE HAMPERED. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, April 13. Russian attacks, which continue at various points practically along the whole front, now appear to be designed to keep the newly arrived German relief forces constantly occupied, thus hampering German preparations for an offensive, says “The Times” Stockholm correspondent. Fresh German reserves occupy the greater part of the front, replacing winter-worn men withdrawn, or being withdrawn, for a spell of recuperation. The Russians, however, are still employing their winter troops, whose nerves are unshaken or whose spirit has been stimulated by the operations in which they took the initiative throughout the winter. Russia’s new armies remain fresh to meet the German onslaught.

Berlin dwells on continued Russian tank attacks from the Kerch Peninsula, alleging that all were repulsed. Berlin also admits that Russian ships which have been relatively free to enter and leave Sabastopol Harbour, are having at present an easier period, since waterlogged aerodromes hamper Axis air activity and the Black Sea Red Fleet has a practically undisputed command of adjacent waters. The Moscow radio declared that Soviet cavalry divisions had thi'ust deeply into German positions on the Leningrad front, cutting part of the enemy supply lines after two days of savage infantry fighting. The initiative on this front is firmly in the hands of the Red Army. Proof of this is that prisoners include men from several German divisions, who all say their units suffered heavy losses.