FIERCE STRUGGLE FOR OREL CONTINUES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 169, 19 July 1943, Page 3

FIERCE STRUGGLE FOR OREL CONTINUES

NAZIS THROWN BACK Russians Keep Up Strong Offensive N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec.. noon. LONDON, July IS. Both Russian and German dispatches state that fierce fighting is going on around Orel. Moscow sources states that heavy German counter-attacks at the southern end of the Orel front in the past 24 hours were repelled. The Russians are now in sight of some German key positions. Reuters correspondent at Moscow says that the Orel area is being turned into a huge salient which will leave the city in a narrow cul de sac as the Russians elsewhere keep up their drive. The Russians to-night, at the end of the sixth day of the Russian offensive, stand about 15 miles east, 20 miles west and 35 to 45 miles south of Orel. They have forced the river and established bridgeheads north-west of the town on the western flank of the gap which has been torn in the German defences. Bridgeheads Established The Red Star states that bridgeheads have been established for a considerable distance and, despite the constant stream of German reinforcements, the Red Army is widening the passage. Reuter adds that the Russians are also nearing the Orel-Bryansk railway. Reconnaissance and shock troops are already attacking supply and troop trains on it. Two of the most mobile struggles are going on for Orel. The Russians to the northwest and west of Orel are now within an area of hundreds of square miles, in which many individual battles are in progress as the Russians mop up the centres of resistance.

The Germans, striving to fill up the gaps in their defences, are using medium tanks. Tigers are being used very sparingly.An additional Russian drive from the south may be expected, since the position of Kursk has been fully restored. To-day's German communique states that the Russians launched attacks on the Kuban, Mius and Donetz fronts, and adds that all attacks were frustrated. Threat to Railway Grows Although it is not clear how near the Russians are to the great German bastion of Orel, says British Official Wireless, messages from Moscow indicate that the threat to the Orel-Bryansk railway from the north is growing, and to the east the Russians may have approached to 15 miles from the city. Meanwhile from the south of the Orel salient the Russians moved forward to regain what ground they lost in the German offensive. It is not yet clear whether the Russians for the time being aim at more than spoiling the German offensive by knocking out the Orel salient, which is the base of its northern prong.

There is no mention from Moscow of the strong attacks which the German High Command to-day announced that the Russians began after a violent bombardment on the Mius and Donetz fronts. That is from the • Sea of Azov northwards. The Germans said the Russians succeeded in driving in wedees.

A new success for the Russian Army was reported earlier by a Soviet communique. In the Kuban country they have captured an important and strongly defended height in the foothills of the western Caucasus between Novorossisk and Krimsk. The height was taken in a tough battle after Russian guns had softened the defences.

The Germans fought hard to regain their lost positions and launched nine fierce counter-attacks in succession. The Russians flung them all back and inflicted heavy losses in men and material. The height commanded a key position in the defences of the German Kuban bridgehead. NOT FOR COALITION LIBERAL PARTY IN BRITAIN Rec. 9.30 a.m. LONDON, July 18. In spite of an appeal by Viscount Samuel and members of the executive. the Liberal party conference passed by a large majority a motion calling on the leader of the party to refuse to participate in a Coalition Government dominated by the Conservatives after the war. Moving the resolution, Mr. Emlyn Jones said he feared that in any form of national Government, it would be impossible to maintain the independence and integrity of the Liberal party. Lord Samuel pointed out that the party system should be worked with discretion and wisdom and that there were times when the system must be suspended. ASLEEP OVER 20 YEARS TRANSVAAL WOMAN'S DEATH Rec. 9.30 JOHANNESBURG, July 18. Anna Swanepoel, who 27 years ago feel asleep in her home in the Transvaal, died in her sleep at the age of 53. In 1921 she was awake for a brief period. Miss Swanepoel in 1910 fell in love with a young farmer whose parents disapproved of the match. The farmer killed himself and when Miss Swanepoel heard the news, she was afflicted with acute hysterical catalepsy and fell asleep.