ENCIRCLING OREL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21152, 21 July 1943, Page 3

ENCIRCLING OREL

RED ONSLAUGHT “STALINGRAD” FEARED RESERVES~RUSHED UP (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON. July 10. The Russian thrust against Orel, which died down somewhat yesterday, was renewed to-day with greater strength than previously, says the British United Press correspondent in Moscow. An attack against Orel itself is regarded as imminent. Red Army mobile units, swinging far ahead of the Russian forces, have cleared the way to numerous German main strongholds before the city despite the heavy rain which is falling over the battlefield. The strength of the Russian attacks have taken the Red Army forces clear of the forests, where they have been fighting, into the open fields and rolling country hills, although these are intersected by numerous streams, rivers and ravines. The Russians at one river valley, after bitter fighting, cleared a wide area and established a strong bridgehead from which they are preparing to storm the main objective. Whether this is Orel itself is not known. The Moscow paper, Pravda, in a front-line dispatch, says that the Russians on the lower reaches of a river in the Orel area, entered a number of villages on the heels of the retreating Germans. Within 12 Miles of Orel According to the National Broadcasting Corporation’s correspondent in Moscow, the Russians have pushed to within 12 miles of Orel from the south-west. Seven German divisions are now in danger of being cut off. The Moscow radio stated that the Germans on the Orel front, fearing another encirclement like Stalingrad, are constantly bringing up reserves for counter-attacks. During one of these the Russians wiped out 500 troops and captured considerable booty. The Russians are systematically penetrating the enemy lines, cutting communications and dividing and annihilating units. The Times’ correspondent in Stockholm says that the active battlefront in Russia is being greatly extended and, whether the operations are serious or merely diversionary, they are entirely on the Russian initiative. The whole of the southern front from Sukhinichi to the Kuban has become lively, but the heaviest fighting remains around Orel. The Russians' advance is now necessarily slow because they are up against especially strong, prepared positions which the Germans constructed during the first winter in Russia and improved throughout the second winter to defend Orel itself and the vital OrelBryansk railway. The Russians, although fighting haru and making headway, appear to be regrouping for another determined onset. Not until the preparations are complete and the main Russian artillery jS brought to bear can another jerk forward be expected comparable with last week’s push. 30,000 Germans Killed in Week

Reuter’s correspondent in Moscow says it is estimated that the Germans during the first week of the Russian offensive lost nearly 30,000 killed and over 500 tanks destroyed or disabled and about 700 planes shot down. .

The radio stated that the German Command has transferred 1000 planes from as far as France to Austria in a desperate attempt to gain air supremacy over the Orel sector. Wave after wave of the Luftwaffe is going into action for the eighth day in succession.

Berlin reports show that the Germans realise the gravity of the situation on the Orel front where their living space is gradually being compressed from three directions. German reports explain that the Russians ■;u'e now a desperate and formidable foe, having unquestionably learned much since the Orel-Byelgorod battle began. The Berlin radio’s commentator, Captain Sertorius, said that the two main features of the Russian fighting during the week-end were the extension of the scope of the Russian attacks and the increased pressure against the Orel front. The German divisions in the front line had been regrouped during the many months of lull to face a Russian onslaught with calm superiority, conscious of their own strength. The Berlin radio war reporter stated tiiat two Russian tactical and 10 assault divisions, one artillery*division and two tank corps have been thrown in east of Orel. This represents an offensive strength of at least 120,000 men, 500 guns and 300 tanks. This force has been assailing the German front for three days. The battle continues with undiminished violence. The latest German communique states that the Russians again yesterday made unsuccessful assaults against the central and southern sectors of the front.

The latest Moscow communique reports that the Russians continued their advance in the Orel sector. Twelve German counter-attacks were thrown back during the day with heavy losses to the enemy. To the north of Orel, another 20 populated places have been captured, to the east, 40 more, and to the south 20 more have been taken, including an important railroad station. Yesterday 72 German tanks were destroyed or damaged and 97 planes shot down.