ACTIVE DEFENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 September 1942, Page 3

ACTIVE DEFENCE

EVERY SOVIET UNIT ORDERED TO ATTACK GAIN OF TIME VITALLY IMPORTANT. HOPE OF DESTROYING NAZI PLANS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 19. The Soviet High Command yesterday ordered every Russian unit defending Stalingrad to go oyer to the offensive. The order stated: '“Every hillock which is regained gains time, and every day which is gained may determine the ultimate issue of the Battle of Stalingrad.” • "M. Stalin’s order to the defenders of Stalingrad to attack, coming at a time when the Germans are standing in the outskirts of the city, is a particularly impressive example of the spirit with which the Russians are inspired. Nor can the exhortation be dismissed as the mere gallant defiance of desperate men,” says ‘‘The Times,” ■ London. It adds that there are many points on the bitterly-disputed front where the defence is locally conducted ■ by high-spirited counter-attacks. “The Times” also states: “Conquest of Stalingrad is the beginning rather .than the end of a preliminary plan—the establishment of a German position in Eastern Europe so firm that behind it the main power of Germany can be diverted to the West. The valour of the Russian defence continues to delay that, but only a supreme effort by the Western Allies, enabling them to strike with full power before the German armies which are now engaged in Russia cdn turn and meet them can prove that Field-Marshal von Bock has lost his race and that the heroes of Stalingrad have not shed their blood in vain.” The “Yorkshire ’Post” comments: “M. Stalin’s order emphasises that every hillock regained wins time that may" decide the issue of the battle. After the heroic defence of Moscow and Leningrad last year, every Russian knows he may still win Stalingrad Already the stubborn defence of the city has lessened this year’s threat to Moscow and Leningrad, and has made conquest of the Caucasus this winter unlikely.” The extent to which the forces can 1 be reinforced is engaging the attention of commentators. It is considered that the Germans have the advantage because, while the Russians are bringing in excellent Siberian troops whom they have ferried across the Volga, the Germans are making considerable use ■ of transport planes to bring up reinforcements. Though the Germans have apparently succeeded in investing the city, semi-official German quarters admit that the struggle may be prolonged for many days.

ULTIMATE EFFORT

BEING MADE BY GERMANS. HUGE LOSSES IN SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN. LONDON, September 19. The Germans in their southern drive have lost 1,300,000 men m killed aione, and also 3390 tanks, and about 4000 guns and 4000 planes, said M. Fedofeyev, deputy propaganda chief of the Communist Party, in a broadcast. He added: “The Red Army can hold the route and throw back the Germans, who are putting in not only then main forces but all their reserves. They have built up their forces. m south Russia by seriously weakening the armies in the occupied countries. The Germans have reached the (extreme of effort; they cannot stand long without great victories, and loss of the initiative now would lead to their defeat. One reason for their temporary success is the absence of a second front.”