UKRAINE BATTLE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 83, 4 October 1941, Page 9

UKRAINE BATTLE

Terrific Tank Action

RUSSIAN SUCCESS ON CENTRAL FRONT

The "Red Star" describes how, in the south Ukraine, the Russians recaptured a strongly-fortified strategic village from which German and Rumanian forces were trying to drive a wedge into the Russian lines. The Russians, after artillery preparation, encircled and captured the village, routing large Rumanian forces and other troops. They captured a considerable quantity of war material, including 60 guns. According to news received in London today, heavy German attacks along the isthmus of Perekop are con- . tinuing, but enemy action south of Perekop has been met with further resistance and the Russians are heavily counter-attacking. The defenders of Odessa say they have gained new positions. The Russians claim that in the

LONDON, October 3. The biggest German thrust on the Eastern Front is still in the south, where, according to the Helsinki radio, a terrific tank battle is in progress east of Dnepropetrovsk. German troops are claimed to be advancing along the tributaries of the Dnieper towards Kharkov, but reports reaching Leningrad speak of continuous Russian counterattacks. Although the Germans say they are within 70 miles of Kharkov, there is no suggestion that they have succeeded in crossing the River Vorskla, 70 miles to the west. In the fighting- for the Crimea the Germans have not succeeded anywhere in breaking- through the peninsula itself. Moscow reports that in the Leningrad area the Kussians have advanced from a mile to two mttes in the course of counter-attacks in the approaches to the city. It is added that new defence lines have been established, and that the Russians forced a passage on the southern bank of a river after a ten-day battle. On the central front, the midday Mosco.w communique reports a Russian success well behind the enemy lines. Russian formations operating in the triangle formed by Toropets, Smolensk, and Minsk killed over 3000 German troops and routed 17 transport columns and an S.S. battalion.

Leningrad sector they have inflicted heavy losses on two German infantry regiments. They estimate the enemy casualties at 1500 dead and many thousands wounded. The Germans say that they have occupied Krasny Selo, the historic former residence of the Tsars, about six miles south-west of Leningrad,, but this claim has not been admitted by the Russians. r The Moscow radio claims that in the j far north, in the Murmansk region, j two German alpine regiments have I been driven from the eastern bank of the River List. The enemy was thought to be launching an offensive against Murmansk, and »the Russians claim that one alpine regiment was annihilated and another put to flight. The.enemy lost 1500 dead and several thousands wounded. The Finns state that they have entered Petrozavodsk, on the western shores of Lake Onega.