HALTED BY WEATHER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 October 1943, Page 3

HALTED BY WEATHER

MAJOR OPERATIONS ON EAST FRONT BUT INITIATIVE WITH RED ARMY GERMANS REPORT SOVIET LOCAL ATTACKS LONDON, October 16. In Russia the weather has brought big-scale fighting to a standstill along the whole front. A Soviet communique reports no important change' on the front today. Yesterday, the Russians knocked out 16 enemy tanks and brought down 59 aircraft. The initiative still lies with the Red Army. The Germans report vigorous local attacks in many sectors and a good deal of activity in the noith round Leningrad. The Russians are also exerting pressure towards Vitebsk and yesterday Soviet troops were reported to be within 30 miles of that centre. There is no news from Moscow of fighting on the Vitebsk front, but reports from Soviet sources state that a vast area in White Russia, embracing 600 villages, is completely under the control of Soviet guerilla troops. The possibility of a German retirement to a shorter line in the northern sector of the Russian front is discussed by military observers in London (says a British Official Wireless message). It is thought that the Germans may decide to withdraw their left flank resting on the Gulf of Finland/ to the River Narva just north of Lake Peipus, on the Estonian border, and thereby shorten the front by about 100 miles, in addition to having 80 miles of the new front covered by Lake Peipus. However, by doing this the Germans would finally release Leningrad, which they are still able to shell heavily from short range.