ARMIES IN RUSSIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 April 1943, Page 4

ARMIES IN RUSSIA

SOVIET PREPARATIONS FOR OFFENSIVE RETENTION OF BATTLE SPRINGBOARDS. “ t GERMANS CONCENTRATING ON DEFENCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 15. “The Times” Moscow correspondent says the line on which the opposing armies are standing, while plans for resumed offensives and counter-offensives are being matujred, have interesting features, distinguishing them from . those of last year. The Germans, as in 1942, hold hedgehogs on the periphery of their area of conquest, but the Russians are now better disposed for attack than they were last year. Experience of the Russian winter offensive leads to the conclusion that the establishment of positions on the west banks of the Lovat, Upper Dnieper and Donetz rivers indicates that the Red Army is nursing offensive plans. The Russians last year retained bridgeheads across the Upper Don no bigger than those they are now holding across the Donetz. The Germans hold hedgehogs, but the Russians hold springboards. The local operations now proceeding are characterised by the Red Army’s determination to consolidate, retain and improve positions which are suitable rather for an eventual offensive than for defensive fighting. BITTER FIGHTING REPORTED IN THE KUBAN. GERMANS RUSHING UP REINFORCEMENTS. (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, April 15. The most bitter fighting on the Russian front—most of which is quiescent because it is mud-bound or because the opponents are still regrouping—is at present in the Kuban, where an improvement in the weather appears to herald a showdown between the Germans, who are determined to hold on to their vital bridgehead, and the Russians, who are equally determined to wipe out this menace. Moscow reports say that the Germans are rushing reinforcements by plane to the Kuban, and that the Luftwaffe is making a major effort to prevent the concentration of Russian forces by hammering communications and towns. Berlin states that the Russians launched several divisions, supported by tanks, against the bridgehead, but that the attacks were repulsed.