The Pittsburgh Press (August 7, 1941)
NAZIS PROVE TO BE EXPERTS AT CLAIMING
Germany’s newest claims of sweeping triumphs over Russia’s armies may not seem so serious when considered in the light of past German claims. The bombastic announcements of both the German High Command and the German DNB news agency, since the early days of the war, are summarized briefly herewith:
July 1
Germans claim to be “halfway to Moscow” after crashing through Russia’s main defenses.
July 2
DNB claims:
The greater part of Russia’s armies on the Central Front have been destroyed.
Nazis said to be “pushing forward to Kiev, Moscow and Leningrad” and:
…the climactic phase of the war is approaching.
July 3
Russian armies said to be “in general retreat,” and “the end is near.”
Russia’s power of resistance now seems to be broken.
July 4
German High Command says armies have reached and crossed the Dnieper River, 200 miles from Moscow.
July 7
German armies “have broken through” Russia’s main Stalin Line defenses.
July 8
The pursuit of beaten Russian forces continues.
July 9
The battle is proceeding successfully.
July 10
Operations are proceeding without halt.
July 11
Germans claim to have crossed the Dnieper River and:
…the greatest battle of history is being fought.
July 13
Germans say that Russia’s Stalin Line has been broken, that German armies “now stand before” Kiev, and that Moscow and Leningrad are also doomed.
July 14
Nazis reported “sweeping through” Russia’s main defenses:
…at all decisive points, irresistibly.
July 15
Germans reported reaching Kiev and “smashing deeper” into the heart of Russia.
July 16
German High Command, for the first time, admits counterattacks by Soviet forces, but claims Russians, at the same time, are “in a state of dissolution” and “disintegrating.”
July 17
Germans announce capture of Smolensk and claim that a Nazi spearhead may be within 40 miles of Moscow.
July 18
The battle of Russia is now in its “last stages,” with the Russians using their “last reserves.”
July 20
Germans say:
Vast spaces in Russia inevitably extend the time of our operations.
July 24
German informants complain that the Soviet situation is “hopeless,” but that the Russians do not know enough to surrender.
July 25
German High Command suggests that Russia surrender Kiev, Moscow and Leningrad to save those cities from destruction. German troops said to be “breaking the last remnants” of the Stalin Line.
July 26
Bad weather reported by the German High Command to be hampering the invasion.
July 28
The Battle of Smolensk is said to be “nearing its end.”
July 29
High Command says in Berlin that the trapped Russian armies around Smolensk have been destroyed.
July 31
“Unremitting pursuit of the beaten Soviet forces” continues, and Leningrad’s fall is said to be imminent.
Aug. 1
Russia’s armies are “broken” and “in a state of chaos,” without “unified leadership.” Russians are throwing new reserves into the battles.
Aug. 3
Germans say they:
…slash forward, deep into the Stalin Line forts… everywhere pursuing the beaten Russian after breaking all Soviet resistance.
Aug. 4
Russian armies in Smolensk area reported destroyed, and the remainder of Russia’s armies are:
…now nearing destruction… the complete destruction of the Russian armies will not be long delayed.
Aug. 6
Operations are proceeding victoriously. The Russian army is to a great extent destroyed.