HITTING BACK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20860, 12 August 1942, Page 3

HITTING BACK

RUSSIAN FORCES SIGNS OF STAND CAUCASUS RETREAT RESISTANCE IN NORTH (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (11.45 a.m.) LONDON Aug 11. The Russians are still tailing back before .the slashing German blows m the Caucasian foothills between Armavir and the Terek River, which the Germans claim that '-hey have reached. It is clear that the Germans are determined to exert all pressuie to cut off Grozny and then hope to complete the severance of the HU--sian armies and air forces from the main oilfields by occupying Makhach Kala, on the Caspian Sea. The Russians have not yet announced the fall of Krasnodar oi Maikop, which is claimed by the Germans at the week-end, but then loss is generally expected. The Germans have now added Pyatigorsk to the list of their Caucasian claims, adding that advanced units of the fast-moving army are already striding eastwards along the Terek River. The news is brighter from the Russian front elsewhere, with stiff fighting reported from Kletskaya, inside the oori elbow, and'also outside the Don eib'ow north-edkt of Kotelnikovo., There have been definite signs in the last 48 hours that Soviet resistance is strengthening in all vital sectors except at Armavir, says Reuter’s correspondent in Moscow. Impenetrable Inferno The Maikop oilfield was set on fire by the Russians and is now an impenetrable inferno of flame, reports the Daily Telegraph. German bombers are attempting to blast out the fires by dropping demolition charges down the blazing wells. A Russian supplementary communique reports exceptionally stubborn fighting north-east of Kotelnikovo, where Russian troops occupied a railway station after it had changed hands several times. Fighting is also heavy in the Krasnodar region, where superior enemy forces compelled a Russian withdrawal to new positions. The enemy gained some grpund in the Maikop area. A German attack in the Voronej area was repelled with heavy losses. The Times Stockholm correspondent reports that the Germans encountered determined resistance at many points in the Krasnodar and Armavir areas, but the Russians appear to have transferred their heavy armour to the Volga, maybe in .the belief that it is unsuitable for mountain warfare. The present position on the Sea of Azov is not clear. The indications are that the Russians have fallen back to .the Black Sea, probably to Novorissisk, and also around the mouth of the Kaban River. Move From Crimea? Reports from German sources suggest that the Germans may attempt a mainland movement from .the east in order to capture a bridgehead near the Kerch Straits, after which a fresh army from the Crimea could pour into the Caucasian struggle. The Russians are aware of this possibility and point out that the time will be most propitious for a Russian counter offensive anywhere from Voronej to the Baltic as soon as .the German army is entangled in .the Caucasus. The Russians in the Voronej area gained some ground, but fighting at present is merely locally important. Operations in the Kotelnikovo region has not relaxed and the fighting in the Kletskaya sector yesterday was the most violent yet. The Germans, ignoring losses, repeatedly hurled in reinforced .tank units and infantry. The Russians hereabouts are only just hanging on. The Berlin radio stated that big battles have been raging in the Rjev sector, north-west of Moscow, since July 30. The Russians day after day were sending over strong infantrytank forces supported by artillery, but all attacks were repulsed. Loss of Russian Oil Mr. Negley Farson, in an article in the Daily Mail, points out tha.t it is not necessary for General von Bock to drive his forces across the great Caucasian mountains. He can cut off the Russians from the absolutely essential source of fuel oil, firstly, by .smashing through the remaining 40 to 50 miles from .the Don bend to the Volga at Stalingrad, and secondly, by striking swiftly to the Caspian Sea across the Caucasian neck. German air bases at Makhach Kala could command the Caspian, which here is only 170 miles wide, and dive-bomb every vessel attempting .to carry oil northwards for the Russians. German shore batteries from Stalingrad could sink oil tankers and food barges trying to struggle up the Volga against the strong current on the thin stretch.