FIGHTING IN RUSSIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1943, Page 5

FIGHTING IN RUSSIA

SERIES OF CLASHES

LONDON, May 10. Stubborn fighting is reported at Lisitichansk and in the Kuban, but no major battles have yet broken out on the Russian front. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent reports that the Germans have brought up additional infantry and tanks to strengthen their punches against the Russian bridgehead across the Donetz at Lisitichansk. Each side is fighting to secure more favourable positions lor a big clash. The Germans have again counterattacked in the Kuban, north-east of Novorossisk. but Russian artillery opened uo and drove the enemy back. Lower down the Kuban River, the enemy succeeded in penetrating the Soviet lines, but after fierce fighting the Russians hurled them out. The enemy took to boats, but Russian artillery sank 14 of these. The Berlin radio claims that the Germans have frustrated Russian attempts to capture key heights and break into the rear of the German and Rumanian lines at Novorossisk.

GEN. SMUTS’ PREDICTION

RUGBY, May 19. General Smuts to-day predicted that Hitler’s next great attempt to crush Russia would fail, says a Cape Town message. General Smuts said: “Hitler has tried twice, and he is going’ to try again; but ho will fail. There is no doubt about the great battles of the future. We shall win. Now victory is assured.”

U.S.A. ENVOY

LONDON, May 19

Mr. Joseph E. Davies, Mr. Roosevelt’s personal envoy to Moscow, arrived there yesterday from Kuibishev.