NEARER KHARKOV

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1942, Page 5

NEARER KHARKOV

RUSSIAN ADVANCE Enemy’s New Flank Offensive [Aust. & N-Z. Cable A«sn.’ (Rec. 5.5). LONDON, May 19. It is reported that some Russian units are oniy eight miles from the centre of Kharkov. Al Moscow communique stated Russian troops continued to fight offensive actions in the Kharkov area on Monday night. A supplementary’ report stated Marshal Timoshenko’s troops on the Kharkov front were still advancing, and occupied several inhabited localities in one sector. The Germans were still throwing reserves into breaches made by the Russian advance. The enemy’s resistance has markedly stiffened. Moscow radio stated: Reports are hourly telling of the liberation of more inhabited places in Kharkov area. One unit alone had driven the enemy out of four villages. The enemy was sustaining enormous losses. One Russian unit destroyed 43 tanks, another 30 tanks, and an artillery unit had accounted for 18 tanks. The United States National Broadcasting Corporation’s correspondent says: The battle zone, looks like hell. Roads are .littered with hundreds of burnt-'out German .tanks. The Russians are mopping up isolated groups of Germans, all of whom are bewildered and appear to have been drugged. Kharkov is ablaze, according to reports to New York. Russians, pressing on, despite continued resistance, penetrated Kharkov defences to a depth of 30 to 40 miles. The American Red Cross, which has sent more than 3,500,000 dollars worth of medical supplies and clothing to Russia in recent months, will soon be doubling that assistance. GERMANS SURPRISED. LONDON, May 19. A Swiss correspondent in Berlin says: The press to-day, for the first time, refers to Russia’s Spring offensive.

The correspondent of “The Times” at Stockholm says: “German reports from the Kharkov front now describe the initiation of the Russian offensive, last week, as something terrific and unexpected. They admit that the heaviest fire ever experience in Russia, battered the German positions, which hitherto were considered impregnable, while giant tanks crashed deeply into the German zones. Military spokesmen in Berlin admit that the force of Timoshenko’s blows surprised the High Command, but declare the Russian effort to secure the initiative in the summer operations will not appreciably delay, or deflect the High Command from the original plans. Timoshenko had eaten deeply into a densely fortified zone, rather than cracking or breaking through it. The question now is which side will be ready first for the next heavy heave. Chances appear to favour the Russians, since their rear is relatively undisturbed, and the battle began as they designed.” A dispatch from Mr. Paul Winterton, the British Broadcasting Corporation observer in Moscow, says that Marshal Timoshenko’s drive for Kharkov is not a move which will begin with a bang and then peter out, because troops and materials are not available. It is now steadily growing. German tanks pierced the Russian positions in one sector. The Red Army quickly brought in a devastating concentration of anti-tank guns, rifles, and Stormoviks, compelling enemy tanks to withdraw. Observers are of the opinion that Marshal Timoshenko has already achieved his principal object—disorganisation of German preparations for a drive on the Caucasus.

Mr. P. Winterton, 8.8. C. observer, in Moscow, says:—Marshal Timoshenko’s drive may go on growing, until there is a general offensive along the whole front, but he says that the Russians still have the hard deep core of the German lines to penetrate. Russian Advance STILL CONTINUED (Rec. 1.15) LONDON, May 20. The Moscow' radio, re-quoting a front line dispatch, says: Russian troops continue to advance on the Kharkov front, smashing stubborn enemy resistance. The Germans are throwing in numerous tanks and motorised forces. Russian artillery is shelling German infantry and tanks at point blank range and the Red Air Force is hammering aerodromes and bombing troops’ concentrations. The Vichy radio says: A strong Russian armoured formation / succeeded in crossing the Udy River, south-westward of Kharkov.

New German Offensive AIMED AT RUSSIANS LEFT AND REAIR. (Rec. 9.10). LONDON, May 20. General Von Bock is making an offensive between Isyum and Barvenkova. , j x This is seen as a threat to the flank and the rear of Marshal Timoshenko’s armies. Isyum is the base of a Russian bulge, southward of Kharkov, and the Germans are probably aiming to cut .in behind the Russian left wing. On the other hand, this new German move may be an attempt to relieve tremendous Russian pressure against Kharkov. All General Von Bock’s advanced communications pivot on Kharkov. RESERVES DOMING UP. LONDON, May 19. Moscow “Izvestia” reports that a vast tank battle is raging particularly fiercely north-east of Kharkov. General Von Bock is throwing in all available forces in the attempt to c’sorganise the Red Army’s advance on Kharkov, now in its ninth day. The Moscow radio says: “lhe Germans before Kharkov are laying huge minefields to hold up the Russian advance, but pioneer troops are clearing them. Hitler is bringing up reserves from the distant rear and is attempting to organise defence in depth. BEHIND KHARKOV ENEMY’S STRENGTH LONDON, May 20. The Vichy radio stated the Germans had massed one h undr~d thousand parachutists and ten thousand tanks, and also two million me.i behind the Kharkov front. It was to destroy this concentration that Marshal Timoshenko attacked. ENEMY TRANSPORT SUNK. (Rec. 1.5.) LONDON, May 20. ' An enemy transport was sunk in the Barents Sea.