Stalemate In Stalingrad

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 108, 3 November 1942, Page 5

Stalemate In Stalingrad

LONDON, November 2.

The Germans have lost ground in counterattacks by the Russians at Stalingrad. Not a single German advance has been recorded at Stalingrad for two days, although enemy tank and infantry attacks are still being made in the industrial area of the city.

The only enemy successes reported today have been in the eastern Caucasus. In the Nalchik area the Russians were forced to make a further withdrawal last night in the face of greatly superior enemy numbers, but latest reports say that Soviet troops are fighting1 hard, defensive battles, and for the past 12 hours have held their new positions.

The capture of a town in the upper Terek Valley is announced by the Germans today. It is on an important military road which runs midway from Nalchik and the Grozny oilfields. There is no confirmation of the claim, but if the town ,has fallen, the Russian left flank covering the Grozny oilfields will have been placed in a difficult position.

In the western Caucasus the results of the fighting in the last 24 hours have gone entirely in favour of the Russians. The enemy's drive through the foothills to Tuapse has been held, and Soviet marines and troops are now counter-attacking with considerable success. The "News Chronicle" reporter in Moscow says that at several points in this area the Germans are now in serious difficulty.

Yesterday the defenders of Stalingrad broke up an enemy tank and infantry assault and drove the Germans back beyond their original positions after a three-hour battle. Last night the Soviet troops renewed their counter-attacks and occupied a number of fortified buildings after strenuous street fighting.

The "News Chronicle" correspondent points out that although the Russian successes have only a local significance at the moment, they emphasise the enemy's exhaustion. For the time being a form of stalemate has been reached in the city.