SOVIET DRIVE AT STALINGRAD

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23848, 18 January 1943, Page 5

SOVIET DRIVE AT STALINGRAD

25,000 of Trapped Enemy Killed

GERMANS REJECT ULTIMATUM

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 17, Stalingrad has now become the scene of what promises to be the greatest German military disaster in Russia. The special Moscow communique announcing the new Voronezh offensive also .revealed

that after the encircled German army in front of Stalingrad refused an offer of surrender on January 8, a general offensive was launched against it, and in seven days nearly 7000 qf the enemy were captured and 25,000 were

killed. The Russian Command sent an ultimatum to the encircled Germans in front of Stalingrad, pointing out the hopelessness of their position and offering them capitulation on condition that all the surrounded troops, including the commanders and General Paulitz or his deputy, laid down their arms. The Russian Command guaranteed the Germans their lives and promised that superior officers would retain their swords and that medical supplies and provisions would immediately be rushed to the Germans. The ultimatum was to expire at 10 a.m. Moscow time on January 9. The German High Command was warned that unless the ultimatum was accepted the Russians would be compelled to attack, aiming at complete annihilation, the responsibility for which would rest on the Germans.

The Germans rejected the ultimatum. Accordingly a great offensive was launched on January 10. The Russians in setfen days, advancing everywhere, covered from 13 to 22 miles in different directions, occupying numerous important localities, taking prisoner between January 10 and 16 a total of 6896 enemy troops, and capturing booty including 371 aeroplanes. 514 tanks, and 941 guns. In the same period the Germans lost more than 25,000 killed. The liquidation of the Germans is nearing an end. They originally consisted of between 200.000 and 220.000, but they had suffered heavily from air raids, shelling, hunger, and cold. Prisoners say that between 400 and 500 are dying daily. The trapped forces are now reduced to between 70,000 and 80.000. 22 Divisions Trapped The Russian communique Vividly describes the condition to which the Germans in front of Stalingrad have been reduced. It says: “After the six weeks’ offensive beginning on November 19. the Red Army encircled in a steel ring 22 enemy divisions, comprising three tanks, three motorised and 15 infantry divisions, and a cavalry division, and also three artillery and four anti-air-craft regiments. “The Germans, lacking ways of bringing up food, have been in a parlous condition, receiving about 100 to 150 grammes of bread daily, and eating horses. The German attempt to supply food by air failed. We shot down 600 aeroplanes between November 19 and January 10. When hunger, fatigue, and epidemics spread, the German field hospitals were unable to take in all the wounded and sick.

“The Germans do not possess winter clothing. Deaths from cold are increasing. The entrapped forces are losing 1500 men daily from all causes.” The announcement adds: “The Germans were given an ultimatum to avoid useless bloodshed. The ultimatum to the German High Command pointed out that the Germans were firmly ringed. German units seeking to relieve them had been smashed and were retreating to Rostov. The Luftwaffe, bringing in hunger rations, had been forced, following the Red Army’s rapid advance, to change its aerodromes rapidly or fly great distances with supplies. In addition, the German transport aeroplanes were sustaining enormous losses and their help could no longer be effective. “ ‘Your forces are suffering hunger, cold, and sickness,’ said the ultimatum. ‘The Russian winter is only just beginning. Cruel frosts, cold winds, and snowstorms are yet to come. Your soldiers do not possess winter equipment, and are living in difficult and insanitary conditions. You have no possibility of breaking the Russian ring. Further resistance is useless.’ "General Rokossovsky commanded the troops which broke through.” It is assumed from the reference by Reuter’s correspondent in Moscow to General von Hoth’s bid to seal off the Russian break through on the Rostov front, that he has flown out with other commanders from the Stalingrad pocket and is now apparently placed in charge of forces further westward.

GERMANY AND BALKANS

CONFERENCE SAID TO BE PLANNED

INCREASING STRAIN ON RUMANIA

LONDON, January 15,

“Hitler is planning a Balkan conference in Vienna in an attempt to deal with the increasingly tense relations between the Balkan States, says a dispatch from Geneva to the Russian Tass Agency. “General Antonescu’s visit to Hitler last week is regarded as a prelude to the conference, which will also deal with Balkans economic and political problems. It is revealed that Hitler recently discussed military and economic support for Germany with the Bulgarian, Hungarian, and Rumanian War Ministers.” The correspondent of “The Times on the German frontier says: “It is reliably reported that losses of the 30 Rumanian divisions in Russia are already about 400,000. There are only four divisions within Rumania and it is, impossible to supply further manpower for Hitler. It is regarded as certain that General Antonescu made this clear to Hitler. The Rumanians have suffered extremely heavy losses in the Stalingrad area, five entire divisions, including three generals, having been lost north-west of- Stalingrad within a week of the opening of the Russian offensive. , . “Financial and economic experts who accompanied General Antonescu insisted that Rumania must no longer be regarded as a potential source of supplies for Germany, except for petroleum. The drain on Rumanian manpower has so affected agriculture that there has been a serious deterioration in the food situation. Rumania’s general situation'is worse than that of any of Germany’s ■allies, with the possible exception of Finland.” Reuter’s correspondent in Istanbul says: “Thousands of the rank and file of Rumanian democrats are resisting the attempt to crush opposition to General Antonescu’s collaboration with Germany. Hitler, holding the Iron Guard as his trump card, is reported to have told General Antonescu that he will 'deliver the goods.’” A reshuffle in the puppet State of Slovakia completes reports of uneasiness in south-eastern Europe. Czechoslovak circles in London have learned that Bela Tuka has been deprived of the vice-presidency of the Hlinka Party, which is the counterpart of the Nazi Party. The President of Slovakia (Dr. Tiso) now completely controls the party. ___