“GENERAL MUD”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 April 1942, Page 4

“GENERAL MUD”

IN CONTROL ON EASTERN FRONT ACCORDING TO GERMANS. LOSS OF GROUND ADMITTED IN SOUTH. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, April 17. The German military authorities complain that especially difficult ground conditions have continued on the Eastern front, says “The Times’’ Stockholm correspondent. The German radio stated that “General Mud .is in control and that the Germans have to fight in a sea of mire, with drenched uniforms.” Russian cavalry, co-opera-ting with guerillas, is contriving to \ keep the whole German line on the hop. Severe fighting at several points between Lake Ilmen and Leningrad has certainly occurred this week, probably due to the arrival of crack Waffen SS formations to relieve paratroops deposited in February in order to save the position when the German thrust against Leningrad seemed to be cracking as a result of Russian blows. The paratroops prevented an incipient crack below Schlusselburg in February and March, but lost heavily. Now the Waffen appear to be emulating the paratroops’ achievement and to be trying to regain the local initiative. It is estimated that Waffen losses in the first half of the week we-re a thousand daily. The Berlin radio admits that the Germans on the southern front were pressed back and forced to abandon several villages, after fierce bayonet fighting, in which losses were heavy on both sides. Russian and German planes were thrown in in an attempt to seize air superiority. The radio, added that the Russians used British and American planes, which performed well.

The “Red Star” says guerillas have increased activity on the Bryansk front and compelled the Germans to double their patrols on every mile of railway track. Under a decree,'school children and all available able-bodied persons in Russia are being mobilised for farm work. Collective and State farmers must step up production. Those not fulfilling the new minimum will forfeit their land. HEAVY ATTACK ON NORTHERN FRONT. PENETRATION OF FINNISH POSITIONS. (Received This Day, Noon.) LONDON, April 17. According to a report from Helsinki, the Russians are heavily attacking across the Svir River, with the object of establishing, before the ice melts, a strong position on which to base a future offensive. The Finns admit that a Soviet detachment succeeded in penetrating their positions. The “Evening Standard’s” Kuibyshev correspondent.says 19,000 Italians have been killed on the Russian front.