Novorossisk Evacuated

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 64, 12 September 1942, Page 7

Novorossisk Evacuated

LONDON, September 11. The Germans are maintaining intense pressure against Stalingrad, with increasing air attacks on the city. The situation is described as very tense. Around and over the city the enemy appears to have growing superiority in the air. Reports speak of large numbers of Messerschmitts and divebombers operating constantly over the battle area. The Moscow midnight communique says that after fierce battles the Russians have evacuated the Black Sea port of Novorossisk. There was fierce fighting- all day west and south-, west of Stalingrad, as well as in the Caucasus region of Mozdok and in the Maikop area.

Fresh German and Italian divisions have been brought into the line west of Stalingrad to widen the breaches made in the defences in the last few days. Axis armoured forces in overwhelming numbers have driven yet nearer to Stalingrad from the ivest. They have concentrated on a comparatively narrow front, and are thrusting forward under the protection of hundreds of bombers and fighters. The Russians are fiercely counterattacking, but the enemy, constantly reinforced, is pressing on. It was announced tonight that the Germans had captured three more villages. They have gained ground for the fourth day in succession, disregarding their losses, largely because a high percentage of the troops employed are cannon-fodder from Rumanian and other vassal States. They are intent on taking Stalingrad before the rains turn the dusty steppes into mud-traps for the panzer and mobile columns The situation is grim, but the Germans have not yet reached Stalingrad. The Red Army has been ordered to hold the Volga city at all costs and to fight to the last street and the last man. The "Red Star" says the defenders have no choice, for the roads back from Stalingrad no longer exist.

There has been further enemy pressure south-west of Stalingrad. The

Russians have again fallen back in o»e sector, evacuating two villages. The Russians at Novorossisk gave ground in the face of greatly superior numbers. Paul Winterton, of the "News Chronicle," speaks of the satellite troops Hitler is using here, and soys that entire divisions-have been thrown in as cannon-fodder.

Soviet troops are still fiercely attacking enemy groups which succeeded in crossing the Terek River. Here the Russians are in a more encouraging position. The enemy, in his advance to the Grozny oilfields, hus been halted above the river for nearly a fortnight, and at several points on the banks the initiative has passed from him.

News from the front west of Moscow is encouraging. Men of the Red Army have penetrated a minefield and broken through the outskirts of a large village.

In the Rzhev area Soviet troops are advancing and occupying new positions.

troops north-west of Stalingrad captured a number of specified point;, and killed 500 enemy troops. Berlin radio, on the other hand claims that the German tank corps which reached the Volga north of Stalingrad has enlarged its territorial gains in the face of heavy counter-attacks.