SOVIET LANDING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 April 1943, Page 4

SOVIET LANDING

MENACING NOVOROSSISK i NAZIS ADMIT CRITICAL POSITION. j LULL ON MOST OTHER PARTS OF FRONT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day. 1.22 p.m.) LONDON, April 14. Widespread air activity, desultory artillery fire and reconnaissances from either side, aimed at ascertaining the other's preparations for the summer operations, constitute the only Russian news. The Germans, after six major attacks between Leningrad and Lake Ilmen in the last few days, now appear to have called off their badly mauled formations, but are continuing their old tactics of prodding the Russian positions in isolated sorties, .launched to discover weak spots. “The Times” Stockholm correspondent says the Russian front activity is more noticeable on some sectors, but apart from the Donetz and Kuban areas this nowhere exceeds reconnaissances in force. The Leningrad sectors remain busy. This is mainly due 'to artillery duels, and moderate numbers of fighters and bombers are mutually attacking rear areas. The Berlin radio stated that the Russian front lull is the first for 22 months. The German High Command naturally welcomes the present Russian inactivity, which is facilitating German preparations. The enemy radio said two small breaches which the Russians effected west of Kursk on the night of April 11 have been sealed up. Berlin also announced that the Russians battling for Novorossisk landed on the Black Sea coast and succeeded in occupying a cemetery area south of Novorossisk and added: "The situation is very critical and a break through to the city is only prevented by the narrowest margin.”