NON-STOP ATTACK

Grey River Argus, 30 October 1942, Page 5

NON-STOP ATTACK

SMALL GERMAN GAINS In Stalingrad Factory Area [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, Oct. 28. The Soviet communique on Wednesday stated: In Stalingrad the Germans are still using large forces of tanks and infantry. The Germans managed to advance along two streets at heavy cost. Elsewhere in Stalingrad the Russians repelled all enemy attacks. Fierce fighting with large enemy tank and infantry forces continues in the Stalingrad area. In spite oi enemy numerical superiority, our troops repulsed the attacks. Only in an area of two streets, at-a price ot heavy losses did the enemy succeed in pushing forward southwards. The enemy also continued unsuccessful attacks north-west of Stalingrad. The Moscow correspondent of “The Times” states that the German commanders at Stalingrad now apparently intend to hammer away on a limited front, while keeping their main force to ward off the Russian relief attacks.

A later report says: Pressure against Northern Stalingrad in the past 24 hours has been very heavy. The Germans are piling attack on attack with large tank and infantry forces. German losses were again severe, but they gained more ground. German counter-attacks again flared up north-west of Stalingrad. Their bitterness and persistence show the Germans regard the Russian relief drive'as dangerous. Russian forces north-west and soutli of Stalingrad continue to nibble forward. Squadrons of the R.A.F. Coastal Command are now operating from Northern Russia, protecting convoys carrying supplies from Britain to Russia. Some of the aircraft were flown direct to Russia. At Washington Admiral Standley said: The Russians will retain Stalingrad. The Germans will not get Groznyi or the Baku oilfields this winter. Russia will fight to tfie bitter end. '

An informant with first-hand knowledge of Russian events, told the American Press that M. Stalin is satisfied United States military operations in the Pacific forced Japan to postpone an attack against Siberia. He emphasised that Russian people do not regard the present offensive in Egypt, even if successful, as the fulfilment of the Second Front pledge.

LATER REPORTS. (Rec. 10.20) _ LONDON, Oct. 28. General Von Hoth is ceaselessly attacking Stalingrad’s factory area. He is rushing up reserves against the tired, but determined defenders. The Luftwaffe has been ordered to make a final all-out effort before rain puts the landing fields out ot i action. The Germans overran two streets of Stalingrad factory area, but at a cost of a thousand men. i An American commentator says: “The Germans seem willing to pay any price for a break through, but their gains in the past twenty-iour hours have been negligible.” . RUSSIAN RELIEF ARMIES. CONTINUE PROGRESS (Rec. 10.40.){ LONDON, Oct 28. Russian relief armies north and south of - Stalingrad are maintaining a set procedure. Both armies,- after breaching- the German lines, dig in and wait for an inevitable counterattack. When that is repelled, they again advance to bite another piece from the German defence system. Marshal Timoshenko’s tactics ■of sharp regular strokes north and south of the' city are winning ground steadily. ■ • “The Times’s” Stockholm correspondent says: “Attention which Berlin commentators are giving the Russian southward drive towards Stalingrad implies anxiety and in fact the Germans are at the moment on the defensive.” •

In the Caucasus FIERCE FIGHTING LONDON, Oct. 28. Fierce fighting continues northeast of Tuapse. The Germans advanced in this area by taking a wide detour through mountainous country. In the last two days the Russians have been strongly counterattacking. A Soviet report said: North-east of Tuapse, our troops continue active operations, and east of Novorossisk Soviet Marines penetrated a locality occupied by the enemy. The Red Army, Cossacks, and Marines are holding off the Germans from the Tuapse area. Across the Caucasus towards Novorossisk Russian scout detachments are constantly infiltrating in the enemy’s rear. The fighting on the whole of the Caucasus front is mobile.

A big battle is raging north-east of Tuapse, where the Germans are doing their utmost to encircle the port, in preparation for its reduction and elimitation of the stubborn Russian forces between Novorossisk and Tuapse. Both sides report gains on this front.

A Tass Agency dispatch states that Russians in a counter-attack forced the Germans to withdraw from hill positions which the Germans recently captured in the drive towards Tuapse. A German communique says: The Germans south-east of Novorossisk after several days’ heavy fighting captured a commanding . range of heights and also captured a strongly fortified and stubbornly defended mountain position east of Tuapse.

(Rec. 10.30.) LONDON, Oct. 28. Reports from the Caucasus front indicate Russian advantages in the Novorossisk area. There the chief operations are now described as eastwards of the town, instead of southeastwards. Both sides claim slight successes north-eastwards of Tuapse. The German High Command, in a statement, said deep snow in the central Caucasus was rendering operations impossible. ■