Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1942. A RESUMPTION IN RUSSIA.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 May 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1942. A RESUMPTION IN RUSSIA.

(COMPARATIVELY little has yet been made known in detail about the present and intended scale of the fighting which has broken out on the southern part of the Eastern front. After withstanding for nearly a week heavy German attacks on a narrow front in the Kerch Peninsula, in the Crimea, the Russians have withdrawn to new positions, but they have at the same time taken the initiative in other areas. They have struck back at the enemy in the vicinity of Kharkov, an area in which they gained a great deal of ground in the winter campaign, and also in the Leningrad zone.

Whatever the immediate results of these operations may be, there is not much doubt that conflict on the greatest scale will soon be resumed on the Eastern front. The period now reached is that of the en{l, or approaching end, of .the spring thaw, which since about the end of March has gone far to prevent any large movement of mechanised and other forces and transport on a considerable part of the Russian front. In the Crimea and other southern areas the ground probably has already dried and firmed and before long similar conditions will obtain in central and northern areas. The policy likely to be adopted by the Germans no doubt is indicated fairly in the statement that Hitler cannot afford to wait. The German armies may be expected to attack with all their poxver, particularly in the south, but it is by no means to be taken for granted that they will exercise an unhampered initiative and will be able to maintain an economical defensive on other parts of the front.

The fact that the Russians have been forced to make a limited withdrawal on the Kerch Peninsula is not necessarily of any great significance. Even if the Germans mastered the whole of this part of the Crimea they would still have to find means of disposing of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet before they could force the passage of the Kerch Strait and then would have to reckon with poxverful Russian forces holding the sxvampy delta of the Kuban River, on the other side of the strait. Moreover, the Russian thrust in the Kharkox r region, if it can- be maintained and developed, xvill definitely threaten the German forces further south.

Many conjectures xvhich. have been current for a good many weeks past as to the relative strength and fighting poxver of the Russian and German armies xvill soon noxv be put to a decisive test. In their great and successful efforts during the xvinter, the Russians broke the enemy strangehold on Leningrad, cut off deep xvedges from xvhich the Germans, in the late autumn, xvere closely threatening Moscoxv on north and south, and recovered a great deal of territory further south —in all something less than a quarter of the areas occupied by the Germans in the first five months of their invasion.

It is estimated that the Russians during the xvinter tied cloxvn and inflicted heavy losses upon betxveen 150 and 200 enemy divisions and also enforced the premature use of 40 divisions the Germans had hoped to hold in reserve for a spring offensive.

The end of the xvinter campaign found the Germans still holding their heavily fortified salient in the Smolensk region, and Kharkov in the south. As the front noxv runs, both sides are holding many salients xvhich may prove to be elements of either strength or xveakness. Much has been done to upset the German plans and preparations and perhaps to xveaken their intended jumping-off places. For instance, the Russians drove deeply into the German defences north and south ofKharkov, in the comparatively near neighbourhood of that great industrial centre and railxvay junction.

In his broadcast the other day, Mr Churchill said that the Russian armies are stronger than they xvere last year, that they are xvell equipped and that their constancy and courage are unchallenged. It is no doubt to be taken for granted that Britain and the United States are determined to maintain a full fioxv of tanks, planes and other equipment to Russia. Some impressive glimpses.have been given of late of the measures that are being taken to maintain and safeguard the route to Murmansk, xvhich is now Russia’s principal gatexvay for the introduction of supplies from her Allies. Much may depend on these supplies, for the Germans are said to have a considerable preponderance in tanks. On the other hand, the Luftxvaffe is being compelled to an increasing extent to spread its strength over a number of xvidely separated fronts.