NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 October 1943, Page 4

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

POSSIBLE ON EASTERN FRONT : RENEWAL OF ACTIVITY ■ IN THE LENINGRAD REGION. • PREPARATIONS FOR EMERGENCY IN BALTIC STATES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.10 p.m.) . LONDON, October 5. Reuter says that front line despatches report that Russian progress towards all three keypoints on the White Russian front in the offensive against the German bastions of Vitebsk, Mogillev and Gomel continues, in the altered conditions produced by a fortnight’s rain, which has turned a war of movement into a war of position. The Germans are how fighting on the cuter defences of their strongest line in Russia, and, temporarily are in less ’ danger of rapid encirclement by the Red Army, arc counter-attacking vigorously, but only on narrow sectors. Tonight’s Soviet communique says the Russians, in the Vitebsk direction, fought local engagements and occupied 46 inhabited places. It adds that there are lively reconnaissance activity and exchanges of artillery fire on other fronts. _ ' . . The Germans admit local Russian break-throughs in violent fighting occurring on both sides of the OrshaSmolensk railway, one of the key routes to White Russia. German sources also mention, a renewal of activity on the Leningrad front, wher large Russian troop movements are reported. The Soviet High Command's objective is continued attack and continued pressure against the enemy’s constant retreat westwards, says Reuter. Front line troops are now moving forward in half-mile jumps on narrow sectors, instead of five to ten miles daily on a 50mile front. It is a tribute to the determination and energy of the Red Army that the summer offensive has been prolonged sufficiently for the Russian troops to complete the occupation of the Dnieper- line. Fighting has now entered the autumn stage, which normally should have begun several weeks from Germany emphasise attempts to leave only a scorched and unpeopled country for the advancing Russians. It is claimed that Kremen'chug’s population was removed, .but this is probably based on intentions ’ rather than on fact, says “The Times Stockholm correspondent. There is little doubt that the Germans had not {He capacity to remove hurriedly peox file who had not been moved earlier. The Germans are now showing that they expect the Russians to advance closer to the 1939 frontier, especially in the Baltic States. The Times” correspondent points out that the Germans are instructing the Baltic peoples how to act in an emergency, when all manpower and womanpower will be mobilised. The formation of --•local Home Guards, consisting of boys ■•.■■ aged 16, for possible action against , “Bolshevist bands” has been ordered.