OFFENSIVE FAILS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21148, 16 July 1943, Page 3

OFFENSIVE FAILS

NAZIS IN RUSSIA RUSSIAN LINES HOLD GAINING UPPER HAND LONDON, July 14. It is becoming clear that the Germans are suffering a very severe reverse in their assault against the Orel-Kursk bulge against which they threw the heaviest armoured strengi they have employed in any battle. Commentators, in drawing attention tc this, suggest that the general public, in justifiable admiration for the juik-.! feats of arms in Sicily, perhaps do no; realise the significance of what is happening in Russia. The Times’ correspondent in Stock-, holm points out that while the losses of men and material are heavy on both sides, the important fact is that Ihe German enterprise has failed and it is the first failure of any German summer offensive in Europe. The Germans did not succeed in breaking into the Russian positions or removing the great Kursk bulge which remains as inconvenient and as dangerous as previously. The Times says that information from Moscow and Berlin clearly indicate the finish of the first German aggressive stage of the battle. However, desperate fighting continues in the Byeigorod area. The tank battles here continue on a vast scale, with the Gentians vainly seeking to hammer a deeper dent in the Russian defences. The latest Berlin News Agency report states that the tank battle surpasses in violence and extent anything hitherto known.

Attacks on German Wedges The Russian military spokesman da dared that the Russians are gradually getting the upper hand in the Byelgorocl area. The Red Army is sending in substantial tank reinforcements and constantly attacking from heavily fortified flank positions against the German wedges. These attacks are increasing in frequency and have reduced the pressure that the Germans are able to exert at the tips of the wedges. Reuter’s correspondent in Moscow states that the Byelgorod battle raged furiously to-day. The interlocked armies swayed to and fro and places changed hands frequently. Herr Hitler is estimated to have thrown 1.000,000 men, 2500 planes and 4000 tanks into the battle of the Kursk salient.

The British United Press correspondent in Moscow declares that the Russians have wrested the initiative from the Germans and appear to be on the way to forcing a decision along the whole 165-mile front between Orel end Byelgorod. I, ft scow reports a heavy Russian counter-attack in the Byelgorod area. Tank reinforcements have been used and the Germans have been thrown back from a number of their forward positions in the wedge they h d driven into the Russian lines. The Germans have stated that their attacks have been stopped by heavy rain. The Germans also speak of attacks east and north of Orel and admit breaches of their defences, but there is no news from Moscow of this.