FLARING UP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 306, 8 October 1942, Page 4

FLARING UP.

FIGHTING ON CAUCASUS FRONTS. SOVIET BLACK SEA FLEET. GREAT ACTIVITY REPORTED. < v (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright). (Rec., 1.35 p.m.) LONDON, Oet. 7. Fighting is flaring up on all sectors el the Caucasus front. The Germans are intensifying their offensive to smash through the coastal hills to Tuapse. They are also active in the Mozdok and Terek areas, where they are attempting simultaneous thrusts eastwards toward Groznyi and south-west-warcV in support of the Black Sea coastal forces.

The German High Command states that the Germans south of Terek have taken the town of Malgobek, situated in an important oil district. The Rome radio claims that the Germans are rapidly developing an advance preparing to overwhelm the Russians’ defences on the whole of this front.

Reports tq Moscow say that tlio Germans in the Mozdok area, bringing up fresh forces and large numbers of planes. They are suffering heavily under Russian artillery and surprise counter-attacks, hut are stubbornly pressing on. __ The German suggestions that the Russian Black Sea fleet is incapacitated and in refuge in Turkish ports arc categorically denied. The Istanbul correspondent of “The Times” says that the fleet is displaying the greatest offensive spirit, taking a daily heavier toll of Axis * shipping. Its mastery of the Black Sea is undisputed. Tile Russian Black Sea fle'et lias joined in battles in the West Caucasus, big warships supporting Cossack cavalry and gunboats assisting tfie Cossacks who are barring the river valleys. The Germans are concentrating reserves from the Crimea in this region.