OPINION IN BERLIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 August 1942, Page 3

OPINION IN BERLIN

WONDER & SOME FEARS AT CONTINUING STRENGTH OF RUSSIANS. NO MAJOR BATTLE YET WON. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. August 5. Reports from Berlin express wonder that the Russians are still able to throw into the Don elbow great numbers of new Russianmade tanks. Berlin is obviously not • particularly happy about the spectacular penetration to the Caucasus while the Russian armies between the Don and the Baltic Sea remain unimpaired in battle array, but the greatest cause of uneasi-* ness in Germany is that the summer is slipping away and still no major battle has been won in' Russia this year. The Moscow correspondent of the “Daily Express” says: “The Cossacks are fighting magnificently. With fieldguns, anti-tank guns, machine-guns and grenades, with bayonet and butt, and also sudden, savage mounted sabre attacks they are checking, burning and slaughtering the German hordes, but still more is needed. The Russian newspaper'editorials again cry grimly that only iron discipline can save Russia.”

■Moscow reports that Marshal Timoshenko is throwing into the Don elbow increasing numbers of tanks, motorised forces and artillery and planes. Ferocious battles are raging on the edge of the steppes, where ravines assist the defence.

The Russians are tightening their ring round the German armoured forces which were encircled when they struck toward a bridgehead, and Russian fighter- planes are engaging German planes which are attempting to supply the encircled forces. The Berlin radio tonight reported fresh Russian attacks west of Stalingrad, which it claims were repulsed. The radio admitted that the Russians have rebuilt bridges across the Don after their destruction by the Luftwaffe. WARNING BY GAYDA AGAINST OVER-OPTIMISM IN ITALY. LONDON, August 4. Rome reports that Signor Virginio Gayda, the Fascist Party publicist, is warning the Italians against over-op-timism. He stated that Marshal Timoshenko had concentrated great reserves between the Lower Volga and Caspian, and was preparing to give battle within a few days. Gayda said: “The events of the past few weeks do not indicate that a decisive Axis victory may be expected immediately, though time is now' on the side of the Axis. If we can cut off the Red Army from the Caucasian oil and also from Allied help, we shall be able to spend another winter in Russia with infinitely less risk than before.”