RUSSIANS GAIN AT TULA

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 47, 19 November 1941, Page 7

RUSSIANS GAIN AT TULA

‘Heavy Fighting Near

Kalinin

ENEMY THROWN BACK LONDON, November 17. The German efforts on the Moscow front have precipitated fierce fighting at Kalinin, where the Germans have been thrown back, and also at Tula, where the Russians recaptured altogether 21 villages and are now massing reserves to follow up their successes. A Soviet communique reports the successful development of the “counteradvance” on the Moscow front, which continues against stubborn German resistance. Fierce fighting on the right flank is reported, presumably near Kalinin, as well as on the left flank south of Tula. In this manufacturing city life is said ,to be going on as normally as possible, the equipment of the important industrial plants having been evacuated in orderly manner. The Germans are again reported by the Russians to be bringing reinforcements to the Moscow front. Stopped Everywhere. The German advance everywhere has been stopped on the Moscow front, declared the Moscow radio this morning. It added: “Our units are counter-attacking in strength, and our resistance is increasing daily.” The announcer went on to say that two German infantry regiments, with 80 to 90 tanks, on the morning of November 16, attacked in the Volokolamsk sector and by midday had captured three inhabited points. Red cavalry then attacked and drove the enemy from two of the three points. Later the Moscow bulletin stated that during three days’ fighting in the Volokolamsk area the Russians routed four infantry battalions and destroyed a large number of tanks, heavy guns, and other war material. This was apart from 48 enemy planes and 1300 laden lorries which were destroyed in 10 days on the Moscow front. Russian units in the Mojaisk sector, after fortifying their positions, sent out reconnaissance patrols. Very severe fighting ensued. Russian units on the Malo Yaroslavets sector, by fierce artillery fire, inflicted heavy losses on one unit, and annihilated a battalion of German infantry. The enemy was frustrated in an attempt to open the straight road from Kalinin to Moscow. “Pravda” says that fierce frost and heavy snows are hampering the action of tanks, and the Germans keep mainly to the roads and are now more vulnerable to blows from the Russian troops, air force and artillery. The Berlin news agency reports that the Russians are throwing in new units on the Moscow front, where violent fighting followed a Soviet counterattack with a number of tanks.