CALLED SERIOUS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 9, 10 July 1942, Page 3

CALLED SERIOUS

SITUATION ON THE DON

BUT RUSSIANS HAVE GOOD DAY

(By Telegraph—Press, Association —Copyright.) (Rec. 2 p.m.) LONDON, July 9. The Moscow correspondent of "The Times" says that the situation at some places on the east bank of the Don must be considered serious. The Germans, when they found they were unable to cross the river in strength, sent a force northwards to fight its way along the river line. This force has driven the Russians from some positions. The correspondent adds that the, taking of the initiative in several at-! tacks by the Russians was intended to divert strength from the central thrusti where it is estimated that about 8000 tanks are concentrated. The Russians had a good day yesterday. Small groups of German tanks, under cover of fjghter protection, crossed the Don and were wiped out soon after landing or when they entered the forest. TACTICS OF GERMANS. The Germans are employing tactics with the object of forcing the Russians to disperse their strength and thereby opening up the way for the main Nazi force. In order to effect this, German tank brigades leave the high roads, and in high, well-drained terrain operate cross-country, advancing in triple line, dividing and deploying when a mile from their object. The Russians reply with ambushes, one of which resulted in the disablement of 52 tanks. The Stockholm correspondent of "The Times" says that one of the most interesting aspects of the present battle is that the Germans, at such an early stage, have engaged in so many local actions in order to correct the ragged contour of the front zone,-and so far. have been uable to convert the Russian salients' into enveloped islets for. destruction after the 1941 pattern. NO BLITZ TODAY. There is no mighty surge forward this July. In comparison with last July the German progress is slow and indecisive and the relative strength of the Russo-German armies in the Ukraine does not appear to have changed to the. Russian disadvantage since yon Bock turned, aside at the end of May to initiate the German 1942 offensive by parrying Timoshenko's drive from the Kharkov region. The indications are that the Russians will retire further, probably much further, but the Germans are losing precious time,and their efforts will be ineffective unless they smash Russia's great fighting machine. "Red Star" says that enormous tank •battles are going on along the whole Russian front. The Russians counterattacking on the Kalinin front recaptured two inhabited localities. The Russians are checking the Germans everywhere on this front, in one sector of which the enemy lost 2000 killed and 67 tanks. ' The Russian offensive near Orel is. also to be regarded as more than a, local engagement.