POSITION AT RZHEV

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 24, 29 January 1942, Page 7

POSITION AT RZHEV

PARTIAL ENCIRCLEMENT

(Rec. 11 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 28,

Berlin radio today admitted a breakthrough by the Russians north-east of Kursk, after a two-day battle.

In the area between Smolensk and Lake Ilmen, the Russians are reported to be tightening their grip on the Rzhev-Velikie Luki railway, most of which is in their hands. Although the Russians have not yet claimed the recapture of Rzhev, it is thought in London that the partially-encircled Germans in and around the -town must be in a very precarious position. A German communique reports fighting in the Crimea, and says that Russian troops which landed on the peninsula last week were wiped, out after a battle lasting several days. SOVIET REPORT. A continuance of offensive operations is reported in a Soviet communique, which states that in one sector of the central front the enemy were driven from one place where they left 350 killed and wounded on the battlefield. In another sector two, Russian units repulsed an attack of three German companies, supported by tanks, and the enemy left over 100 killed oh the battlefield. On the southern front, in one day, Soviet troops occupied 40 places and captured considerable booty, including one tank, seven guns, and 70 lorries. A ski detachment covered -200 kilometres in the enemy's rear, capturing three tanks, one armoured car, six guns, and 150 lorries.