SITUATION TENSE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 194, 18 August 1942, Page 5

SITUATION TENSE

DON ELBOW SECTOR Axis, Disregarding Cost, Push Forward United Press Association—Copyright Rec. 2 p.m.- LONDON, Aug. 17. The situation is tense for the Russians within the Don Elbow, northwest of Stalingrad, and is daily growing more difficult. The Germans seem to have followed the usual policy of disregarding cost and have established some positions on the short stretch of the Don's west bank.

The Russians are smashing back at the Germans' advanced posts and are also reported to be strengthening their defensive positions between the Don and the Volga to meet any isolated break through across the Don by the Germans.

Reports vary regarding the extent of the German occupation of the river bank posts. It is clear that the intensity of the battle for these positions has not abated for a week, also that the Germans' drive for Stalingrad is at present the focal point of the Russian front struggle.

German penetration to the east along the foot of the Caucasus is continuing. The most easterly German column is still that which was reported to have taken Elista last week. It is now reported from enemy sources to be operating about 40 miles from the Caspian Sea.

DANGER REALISED

Russians Fighting To Bleed

Enemy White ENORMOUS LOSSES British Official Wireless Rec. 2 p.m. RUGBY, Aug. I' 7. Urging all units of the Red Army to "repulse and smash the enemy," M. Alexanderoff, head of the Propaganda Department, in a broadcast, stressed the danger to the Soviet. The present bloody battles were being fought to weaken the enemy in order that heavy blows could be dealt later. He said the enemy already had 3,500,000 killed, but he still was trying to break through in the south. The fighting was different from that in the last year, because enormous losses prevented the Germans attacking along the whole front. The enemy had thrown all his forces and reserves into the battle in the south, and so had achieved numerical superiority, but the resistance of the Red Army was increasing and the Germans and their lackeys were being bled white. They had advanced, but did not get what they wanted, and would never get it.

r«f irfangiHßpnt. Hcutcr'i Wprld Bcrvicc, oSSr «5mA "J2LT?sggfla uMd in th« compilation of the overtet* «®ncc published in this issue, tad all rights therein in Australia and New Zealand are JJ* e "' e 2; such of the cable new* on this pa*e •» 1* to headed KM appeared In The Timet, and I* sent to this paper by special permission. It should be under*toed that the opinion* are not thoee ai The Time* unless stated to be so.]