SOVIET COUNTERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20836, 15 July 1942, Page 4

SOVIET COUNTERS

VORONEZH FIGHT ENEMY DRIVEN BACK THREAT STILL SERIOUS (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (2 p.m.) LONDON, July 14. The Russians launched d powerful counter-attack in the Voronezh area against the German left flank. Tanks, cavalry, and infantry crashed into the German defences and forced the Germans to retreat southwards. The Red Star says that the counterattack began three days ago, the Russians forcing battle on the enemy on a broad front west of the Don. Repeated waves of Russian tanks hurled themselves against the Germans’ formidable tank barriers. Tanks, with cavalry and infantry, deeply penetrated the German flank defences. At least 90 German tanks were destroyed and 2000 Germans and Hungarians killed. The Russians retain the initiative. ~ . Andtfibr Moscow message says that the threat to Voronezh grows hourly. Large German tank and motorised infantry forces are now smashing their way into the town under cover of smoke-screens. In one sector of the line, the Germans are using two tank divisions arid two infantry divisions. They are also qsirig flame-throwers in efforts to dislodge the defenders from the trenches. Air battles rage constantly, the Russian bombers keeping up a pounding of the Don erbssiffgs, which the Russian artillery is Still shelling. They are taking heavy toll. Claims by Germans The Moscow radio announced that German troops passed Millerovo. The Vichy radio declared that General voH Bock has begun his Sea of Azov Offensive extending along a 100mile 1 front between Artemovsk and Taganrog. „ . . A message from Berlin to Stockholm says that General von Bock s thrust towards Stalingrad is now beyond Kazansk, eastward of Boguchar, and has reached the outskirts ot Mogulinakaya. The Germans believe that they have sufficient material east of the Don to cut the Stalingrad-Mos-cow railway running 45 miles east ot Voronezh. . A German communique states, uui offensive on the Russian southern front has extended southward. We penetrated stubbornly-defended enemy positions. Our mobile forces deeply penetrated Russian lines and dispersed retreating columns. The Rome radio declared that 34ton Russian tanks equipped with flame-throwers are in action on the Orel front.