GERMANS STILL HALTED

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23798, 18 November 1942, Page 3

GERMANS STILL HALTED

STALINGRAD AREA AND CAUCASUS SOVIET TANK ATTACK (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 17. The Russians ere still consolidating their positions m the Stalingrad area and in tne Caucasus. At Stalingrad enemy attacks have again been on a sihall scale, but they have been costly to the Germans, who have gained no ground. On the southern sector of the Stalingrad front Russian infantry and artillery activity has been increasing. In tlv> western Caucasus Soviet tanks have driven a wedge into enemy positions. Acfvt fighting is still going on. Near the Black Sea port of Tuapse an enemy attack on a height has been repelled. The Germans arc making no headway at cither cud of the Caucasus and north-cast of Tuapse they have actually been at a standstill for more than two weeks. It is believed that they will try to establish their winter line there. South east of Nalchik. German panzers have been battering at the Soviet defences. The Germans have used as many as 30 tanks at a time as a spearhead for the infantry, but without success. The Russians have not yielded any ground “The Russians in a battle lasting 21 days north-easi oi Tuapse killed more than 15.000 Germans and Rumanians,” says Reuter’s Moscow correspondent. "The Red Army also wiped out numerous enemy columns and garrisons which had infiltrated into the western tip of the Caucasus. . “The Russian- continue to maintain their grip on the southern part of Novorossusk. where there are big cement factories. The Russians at the other end of the Caucasus are forcing back the Germans south-east of Nalchik. According to incomplete returns they have wiped om 12,000 Germans and destroyed 3G7 tanks. 88 aeroplanes, and 450 lorries and armoured cars.” The Moscow ladio says that a submarine of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet has returned from a cruise lasting seven days, during which it penetrated an enemy minefield and sank throe transports. On tre return trip it sank a fourth transport.

The Uaitet. States Navy Department announces that Rear-Admiral Daniel J, Callaghan (shown above) was killed in action in the Solomons naval battle. He was the first officer of the United States Navy to be promoted to flag rank while serving in New Zealand. He arrived in the Dominion with ViceAdmiral Robert L, Ghormley. former commander of the South Pacific Area, as Chief of Staff of the South Pacific Force, and on June 27 was promoted to rear-adtniral.