STALINGRAD STILL MOWING DOWN HUNS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 242, 13 October 1942, Page 3

STALINGRAD STILL MOWING DOWN HUNS

DUELS CONTINUE

Magnificent Stand By

Red Marines

UP. A. and British Wireless Rec. 1.30 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 12. Artillery and mortar duels continue in the Stalingrad area, though the Germans are clearly still using their Infantry. Two enemy Infantry battalions, according to the morning Russian communique, attacked Russian positions in the outskirts of the workers' settlement, but the attack was repelled. Two infantry companies were annihilated. NorthWest of the city the Russians gained some ground and improved their position.

The comparative lull in the ground operations at Stalingrad, which is not expected to last, has coincided with a surge up of bitter fighting in the Mosdok and Novorosslsk areas, at the opposite ends of the Caucasus front, where the Russians are achieving some successes.

Air and artillery activity is undiminished at Stalingrad, and the lull probably indicates preparation fora heavier land battle for the city. The Moscow newspaper Pravda says Stalingrad may be razed to the ground, but it will not be taken. Gerpian divisions flung against the city are still melting away like sugar in boiling water.

Russian marines occupying a dominating hill half a mile from the city s outskirts were again mentioned today for the first time since last month. They have been holding out for more than a month against daily German tank assaults ana punishing aerial bombardments.

Relief Drive Progressing

The Russians have had a further success in the relief drive north-west of the city. The Daily Express correspondent at Stockholm reports that the Russians recaptured a hill which formed a wedge in their lines and advanced 500 yards. The Times Moscow correspondent says the Gerrtans are largely relying on air power to stem the Russian advances. The Luftwaffe is constantly over the Russian lines attempting to pin down the infantry. The Russians, however, continue to advance, taking further strong points and Improving ♦heir positions.

Military ski-ing is being organised throughout the Soviet, ready for the Winter campaign. Ski teams are being formed in factories, offices, schools and military camps. The teams will go on route marches, make long cross-country runs and receive instruction in the military ;iAtiert.s of skiing.

The Russians on the other fronts continue to decimate the German ranks. Persistent fighting continues at Sinyavino, south-east of Leningrad, where the Russians are concentrating their grip on the recently-won positions. The Russians on numerous sectors of the Kalinin front, northwest of Moscow, are fighting locally-

important engagements. The Germans at one place drove back the Russians, but lost their gains before night, losing 600 killed. Moscow radio declared that the Russians have captured an important height in the Karelin forest on the Finnish front, killing 1500 of the enemy. Russian ships in the Baltic sank five enemy transports, totalling 16,000 ton 6, says to-night's Russian communique.