RUSSIANS IN SALSK?

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 18, 22 January 1943, Page 3

RUSSIANS IN SALSK?

STEADY ADVANCE

CHIEF CENTRES NOW IN DANGER '

(By Telegraph—Press ■ Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 2p.m.) LONDON/Jan. 21. The capture of* Stavropol, the important, collective farming centre in the Kuban area, is announced in a special Russian communique.. The town.was occupied after a stubborn battle in which ' the Russians captured prisoners and booty; . The mighty 'Russian -armies now threaten six of the most German communication centres in southern : Russia—Kharkov, Kursk, Lugansk, Rostov, S,alsk, and Armavir. Kharkov is the strategically vital junction of shf railways,. Kursk the intersection of four lines, arid Rostov the key-town of the Caucasus. Salsk and the other towns-are scarcely less important rail centres, • . ■ . ■-.'•■■■■ Reiiter's Moscow1 correspondent says that the - threat'- to Rostov has increased - with the Russians closing in on Likhaya, Lugansk, and Salsk. Frontline dispatches from the Salsk sector tonight which say that fighting is raging on the eastern outskirts of a large:populated place" may refer to Salsk- itself.v ■ \ ■; , . HIT FROM THREE SIDES. ' The -. capture of Pfoletarskya which was made yesterday, was achieved by an ■ attack ir;om; three sides. The Russians finally drove <the> Germans out after fierce street fighting. The defenders included an* SS regiment : and - the remnants-of several divisiohs which were severely handled in the earlier fighting on this front. The Russians on the Donets front are advancing against Likhaya Junction from two directions. /A number of villages were captured on this front in the past 24 hours. Three Russian columns; are closing in on Lugansk, one of th.em being only 20 miles away MOVE ON STAROBYELSK. The farthest north column, which took Byelbvodsk yesterday,- is now threatening.'the big town and railway station'of Starobyelsk. ■.-...• .The Russian- advance .in, the Caucasus is continuing, with clock-like *precisicm. Nevdnomyskaya was taken yesterday by a double thrust. The attacks against the - encircled Germans before '• Stalingrad continue, says "The Times" < Moscow ■■ correspondent.' It. is estimated that 5000 were killed .and nearly .1000. captured since the announcement on January- 16 that the forces had been reduced to about 50,000 men. Qn'*he northern front, the combined Volkhov and Leningrad armies are reported to be advancing southwards. The Russians report a battle for an important point'where, the German defences over a wide area pivot on; a place which is being attacked,from three sides. The Germans are rushing reinforcements there.

The approaches-to1 Stalingrad' have become a gigantic graveyard and- the annihilation ~o£ the surrounded ■ forces is nearing'its end. The Germans have been thrown.back 190 miles from the city. The "Russians routed 36 enemy divisions" on the approaches to Stalingrad and 22. more were encircled.

None of Hitler's strategic tasks for the -summer'of .1942 were achieved. Thousands of localities have been captured by the Red 'Army's .Voronezh offensive;: In, the Caucasus the Germans have been .driven ; back .190 miles. Russia 'admittedly has suffered' losses, but has succeeded in overcoming the most, ; difficult problem—the transference:- of vital. industries from the threatened .areas;- Many were transferred to .enterprises producing more than they were-on their previous location. :'' ':,. ■■ ■■: ' : 'i ,• . ■•'■ ■.. ■'..-.