DEFENDERS HOLD NEW CENTRAL THRUST

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 50, 22 November 1941, Page 9

DEFENDERS HOLD NEW CENTRAL THRUST

(By Telegraph.—Press Asen.—Copyright.) (Received November 21, 11 p.m.) LONDON, November,2l. Coinciding with an improvement in the weather, .heavier fighting is in progress along the whole front in Russia and a big battle is taking place near Rostov-on-Don. The new German offensive against Moscow, launched four days ago, is being held by the Russians in the directions- of Tula, Kalinin and Volokalamsk. Moscow radio reports that the Germans still hold the offensive in the Crimea. The defenders have held all the attacks on Sebastopol. The Soviet communique issued last night reports fighting onfall fronts yesterday. It was particularly fierce in the Rostov-on-Don, Volokalamsk and Tula sectors. Soviet ships in the Barents Sea sank three enemy transports of a total tonnage of 1900 tons and a 5000-ton tanker. In the Black-Sea a 9000-ton tanker was sunk. The Red Air Force on the Central and Southern Fronts on Wednesday destroyed 30 tanks, over 100 lorries laden with infantry and ammunition, and 140 wagons with military equipment. It also • annihilated two cavalry squadrons and one infantry battalion. Pitched battles are developing at strategic points on the Tula front, osavs the Tass news agency. At many places the enemy has been forced back on the defensive. Soviet infantry strongly attacked a group of German tanks and mechanized units which drove a wedge into the Russian lines.