SPRING RAINS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 March 1943, Page 4

SPRING RAINS

ALONG THE EASTERN FRONT SMOLENSK AREA BECOMING SEA OF MUD. IMPORTANT FIGHTING UNLIKELY FOR WEEKS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, March 29. The spring thaw has caused a lull in large-scale operations along almost the entire Russian front, although the Russians driving towards Smolensk continue to achieve gains in local fighting. Showers, alternating with cold snaps, are rapidly transforming the Smolensk area into a sea of mud, holding up all transport. Moscow, correspondents suggest that fighting of any significance is unlikely for weeks. The battle for the Donetz crossings has almost died down, leaving the Russians firmly entrenched on the east bank and also'holding several bridgeheads on the west bank. Spring rains are rapidly swelling the Northern Donetz, which will be an increasingly difficult barrier for some time. The chief German activity is west of Rostov and in the lower Kuban area, where the Luftwaffe is repeatedly attempting to bomb Russian communications and front line towns. This is interpreted in Moscow as heralding a drive to the Caucasus. The Red Air Force is vigorously opposing the Luftwaffe, which has mostly failed to reach its objectives. The Germans lost 47 planes in four days on the Rostov front. Commenting on the general quietude, the Berlin radio’s commentator, Captain Sertorius, says the only fighting of more than local significance is near Lake Ladoga and southward of Lake Ilmen, which the Russians do not mention. Captain Sertorius said Russian attacks at Staraya Russa and Lake Ladoga aim at loosening the German grip on Leningrad, because after the thaw Lake Ladoga cannot be used as a supply route to Leningrad and the Russians hold no big railway lines to the city. The Germans have beaten off strong attacks after seven days’ fighting. Captain Sertorius added that the Germans, making full use of the lull, have already completely re-equipped panzer and mechanised units which participated in the Donetz counter-offensive and also the bulk of their infantry divisions. “A whole reserve of armies is being built up,” he said, “and communications to the front are being improved, enabling a rapid supply of new and effective arms, including Tiger tanks.”