EFFORT TO BRIAK

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 49, 27 February 1942, Page 5

EFFORT TO BRIAK

OUT

Encircled Germ an Army

LONDON, February 26. ' The battle of Staraya Russa, south of Lake Ilmen, is still raging as the Germans try to relieve the danger to the 16th Army. The encircled German force, which is thought to number 96,000 men, is making desperate attempts to break out of the Russian ring, and the.Russians have repulsed with heavy losses fresh German reinforcements sent to their aid.

The earlier stages of the battle have cost the Germans four divisions, and the Russians have so far retaken 147 places in this area. '

Before they began their big assault at Staraya Russa the Russians dropped leaflets pointing out to the beleaguered Germans the hopelessness of their position. Attempts to supply the German 16th Army with food and munitions by air were frustrated by

the Soviet air force. . Moscow radio said this afternoon

that huge numbers of planes and guns were arriving on the north-western

front, and added that^. the Russian offensive was gaining impetus.

News of fighting on the other frontj iF scarce; but there are reports today that a heavy battle is in progress between Smolensk and Vyazma, .'where the Germans are said to haye brought up large reserves in an attempt to I recapture Dorogobuzh, 45 miles east "of I Smolensk. ,

The Russians in one day recaptured 17 places in the Kzhev sector of the

Smolensk front. Fierce fighting is also reported north and south of Kharkov.

In the Donets the Russians have won successes by the skilful use of cavalry-