THREAT GROWS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20958, 4 December 1942, Page 3

THREAT GROWS

AXIS IN RUSSIA 350,000 ENCIRCLED STARVATION DANGER REDS STILL ADVANCE (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (11 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 3. The threat of starvation to the 250,000 Germans enveloped in the Don-Volga area and the gravity of the position of the 100,000 German veterans at Rjev is stressed by correspondents to-night. Other significant news is that tire Germans north-west and south-west of Stalingrad are unable to stand on the hills where the commanders aimed to halt the Russian advance, but are being pushed back. On the central front, the Russian offensive west .of Rjev is gaining impetus. Fresh breaches have been made in the enemy lines, while south of Riev the Russians have over-run another village on .the Rjev-Viazma railway. Elsewhere, battles are in-

creasing in violence as the Germans are throwing in reinforcements, but the Russians seized highly important German defences. The Russians expect the Germans fiercely to defend Rjev, against which they are carrying out the longest drawn out operation of the war.

The Times’ correspondent in Moscow, explaining the development oi the Russian campaign, says that the Red Army during .the summer accumulated huge forces of tanks and artillery in the surrounding forests, constructing a new network of communications in the poorly-roaded districts. The Russians from time to time employed a portion of their forces to drive the enemy from his defences, forcing him to again start fortifications and regroup the garrison. thereby simultaneously securing springboards for the present offensive. Reports continually refer to the persistence of the German counter-attacks, which the Russians, who are bringing in reserves, repeatedly repel. German Counters Fail

The Moscow radio says that the Germans are making determined efforts to recapture the RjcvViazma railway, but cannot find a weakness in the Soviet positions. The Germans in a neighbouring sector, after a three-day battle, were l'oiced to retreat.

The German News Agency admits that the Russians gained successes on the northern and central sectors, but claims that the losses were so heavy that the .Russians were unable to take advantage of the ground occupied.

The Times’ correspondent in Stockholm says that the hardest battle is raging south of the Rjev-Yelukie Luki railway. Hundreds of tanks are engaged. Two thousand Russian cavalarymen charged through a breach made by tanks. The final destruction of General von Hoth’s army will not be easy or rapid, but the tables were turned on Stalingrad’s would-be conquerors so totally unexpectedly that their available food is inadequate for the winter time. This is indicated by the employment of a large number of Junkers transport planes, 40 or 60 of which were destroyed in 24 hours. Deliveries by plane may prolong the situation, but will not solve the feeding problem. Even if General von Hoth- realises that eventual starvation and reduction are inevitable. lie is not likely to capitulate forthwith because it would release a large Russian enveloping force for a disastrous surge westward and south-westwarcT.