REDS ON OUTSKIRTS OF NOVOROSSISK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 81, 6 April 1943, Page 3

REDS ON OUTSKIRTS OF NOVOROSSISK

NAZI ADMISSION All-Out Push To Throw Huns From Caucasus N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, April 5. The Russians appear to be engaged 4n an all-out offensive to fling the Axis forces from the Kuban, where General Maslennikoffs forces have again advanced in the past 24 hours. According to Reuters Moscow correspondent the Germans are now restricted to a diamond-shaped area about 75 miles from east to west and 50 from north to south. / The Times Stockholm correspondent says the position at Novorossisk is becoming precarious. The tone of the German announcements suggests preparing German minds for possible abandonment "in order to shorten and strengthen the lines." The Germans admit that the Russians have recaptured Novorossisk radio station, the position of which is not stated but is believed to be on the outskirts of the city. Other Berlin reports refer to further Russian landings on both sides of Novorossisk Bay. Certainly the position of the city has become more critical since General Maslennikoffs strong advance against Krymskaya junction and, farther west, the descent from Anastasevskaya towards the Kuban, which threaten to cut the Axis bridgehead in two. The German news agency referred to Russian mass attacks against the south-east-part of the bridgehead, in which the Russians for the first time in this sector employed tanks. Berlin radio's commentator, Captain Sertorius said: "These Soviet operations can hardly be regarded as of mere local importance." Reuters Stockholm correspondent reports that after a battle which has been raging since Friday the Russians captured" Bakansk, on the main Kuban railway, 12 miles from Novorossisk. Heavy Fighting On Donetz Reports from other fronts indicate that very heavy fighting is still taking place on the Donetz south of Isyum and around Byelgorod. The Luftwaffe is making as many as 100 sorties as a preliminary to infantry attacks. Berlin radio reported that the Germans at Staraya Russa carried out a successful withdrawal to new positions "in order to shorten the front." Moscow radio said the Luftwaffe in the past two days twice attempted mass raids against the Rostov area. Russian fighters and flak dispersed enemy planes, 35 of which were shot down for the loss of 10 Russian machines. London observers regard these German air assaults as a prelude to a new German drive into the Caucasus through Rostov. Reports of strong German concentrations in the lower Donetz Basin, west of Rostov, suggest that Hitler intends to make another bid for the Caucasian oilfields. Reuters Moscow correspondent, expressing the view that both sides are preparing for a clash, says that whereas in previous years it has been a question of where the next German blow will fall, the Russian people this year feel confident enough to ask where the Red Army will strike next. -- - - •