FOILED AGAIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20618, 20 November 1941, Page 6

FOILED AGAIN

FURY OF GERMANS ROSTOV DEFENCES FALL OF KERCH DENIED FIERCE SOVIET COUNTERS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 20, 2 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 19. German attempts to capture Rostov by a surprise flank attack, ended in complete failure, says the Tass agency. General Von Kleist tried to drive through Novochakhtinsk, after which he intended to swing southwards towards Rostov. Against the Russian force under Commander Kharitonov, Von Kleist flung two tank divisions, one mechanised and one S.S. division. German tanks, outnumbering the Russians by six to one. pierced the first and second Soviet defence lints,-, but Russian infantry concealed jin deep dugouts held their ground.-From all sides the Soviet artillery pourjed in a withering fire while tanks fell into camouflaged pits and mines blew off their caterpillar treads. The first day’s fighting upset Von Kleist's plans, which depended on a quick break-through. The German force wheeled in all directions in its efforts to find a weak spot in the Soviet ring, but was pushed back everywhere. Soviet planes carried out hundreds of low-flying attacks on German tanks, mechanised columns arid artillery. Over half the German tanks were out of action when the offensive was brought to a standstill. The enemy lost thousands of men.

The Moscow radio says that despite the German’s powerful fortifications, the Russians are stubbornly advancing on the Leningrad front with strong support from heavy artillery and the air force. One Russian detachment occupied important new positions in the past 24 hours. Battles For Kerch Reviewing' the war position at a press conference in Kuibyshev, the Soviet spokesman, M. Lozovsky, stated:»“The Germans have not taken Kerch. Battles are going on near the town. Italian and German, troops have not made progress near Rostov. The situation on the Moscow front continues to improve. Soviet counterattacks are developing. Fierce fighting is proceeding in the region of Tikhvin. “German and Finnish troops hkve not made progress in 'the direction of Murmansk. - ’ M. Lozovsky said that England and America .were faithfully executing their decisions at the Moscow conference. “The Germans’ hopes that supply routes would not be available have been shattered,” he said. “Both cotm.tries can deliver and are delivering regularly. “The war will end only when the invaders have been exterminated.” The Russians, intensively supported by Stormovik dive-bombers, recaptured strategic heights in the Crirrjea. The Tass agency says the, German.have formed a new line further back. German prisoners, declared that heavy losses were compelling the Germans to draw freely from their reserves. One infantry regiment lately arrived in the Crimea from Greece. The Germans are repeatedly attacking and not counting the cost, but 'the Rusian infantry, strongly supported by artillery, is fighting for every inch of ground. . ...