STIR OF ACTIVITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1942, Page 4

STIR OF ACTIVITY

ON BOTH SIDES OF EASTERN FRONT EXPECTATION OF TITANIC BATTLES. ♦ GERMAN THREAT IN SOUTH. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, April 23. Great activity has been reported behind both the Russian and German lines in the past few days, especially by railway, as troops and material are hastily being moved forward for the expected titanic battles, says “The Times" Stockholm correspondent.

German sources mention the daily bombing of Russian rear concentrations, but apparently this is sporadic, doubtless because aerodromes are still waterlogged. There has been more intense activity by Russian partisan raiders recently, particularly around Bryansk and thence to Orel, which, coupled with direct operations, has hampered German supplies to both of these semi-beleaguered towns. The Germans describe their troops in this area as wading through porridge-like mud, sometimes to the top of their hips.

Activity in the Donetz basin supports the view that the Germans are preparing one of their main thrusts to the Caucasus. Below Kharkov, the Russians and Germans, for a long stretch, are lined up on the respective banks of the Donetz River, from which the ice has disappeared, and each side is already attempting to reconnoitre or raid the opposite bank in river craft. Soviet craft now ply in the shallow Sea of Azov, whence at least one small raid has been made this, week,- west of Taganrog. The Crimea has become more active, with renewed Russian attacks from the Kerch Peninsula. Fierce fighting here is inevitable, as the German plans for the Caucasus must include the expulsion of the Russians again across the Kerch Straits.