CAUCASUS CAMPAIGN

Grey River Argus, 26 January 1943, Page 5

CAUCASUS CAMPAIGN

Russians Advancing Fast GREATER THREAT TO ROSTOV [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, Jan. 24. Southward of Rostov a large area of the Germans’ 1942 gains still remains to them in the Kuban district, but it is rapidly shrinking and their chances of retaining any Caucasus territory at all are slender. Russian forces, after the capture of Armavir are speeding on with a view to menacing the Krasnodar-Tikhoretsk railway. Other Soviet columns are thrusting across the foothills to Maikop. These advances generally very » gravely endanger all German communications to Rostov. Guerrillas are incessantly harrassing the enemy’s rear. Advancing along the railways beyond Salsk yesterday the Russians reached places 70 miles north-east of Tikhoretsk Junction, and 80 miles south-east of Rostov, while the rapid recovery of the Northern Caucasus continued north-east and south of Armavir. The Russians also extended the grip on the Oskol River. On the lower Don the Russians took Razilnoe and Tselina, 20 miles south-west and west of Salsk, the State farm at ••Gigant,’’ and tne station at Trabelskaya In the Northern Caucasus, they took Izobilkoye, 25 miles northwest of Voroshilovsk, Otradnaya 2o miles south-west of Nevinomysk and dozens of smaller places, while partisans near Katasnoder Killed o 0 and wounded 40 of a German garrison. On the Voronezh front the Russians took Volokonovka, 25 miles northwest of Valuiki and Budennoye. The “Express” military correspondent, Morley Richards, says,the capture of Armavir and Salsk may compel the Germans to retreat across the Kerch Straits into the German-held Crimean Peninsula. The Germans falling back through the Northern Caucasus towards Rostov may also try to escape across the Kerch Straus because the Russians drive from Salsk threatens to close, their retreat. The fall of Salsk gravely diminishes the chances of the retreating Germans reaching Rostov. . Correspondents say that Russian forces are so threatening the Germans with encirclement m the Caucasus that there may be a race between the Russians and the Germans for the mouth of the sack, which the Russians are trying to close and tiie Germans to keep open. A Rea Army vast encircling movement is now taking definite shape against Rostov. The Russian victors at Salsk are forming the southern arm oi the pincers and columns are thrusting down from the Donetz in the Kamensk region, constituing the northern army. Russians are pressing on rapidly to Tikhoretsk, which is an important junction controlling rail communications from Kuban and Salsk. General Yeremenko’s hard-fighting columns moving down the Salsk-Rostov ra jl" way have peached Tselina, within JU miles of Rostov. . The next Russian objective is Krapotkin, 40 miles north-west of Armavir, which is also threatened by the thrust up the railway from Voroshilovsk. The Russian force advancing down the railway from Salsk has progressed 20 miles towards Tikhoryetsk, where the Caucasus and Kuban railways join. Another force from Salsk is advancing up the branch railway towards Rostov- , , ■ The capture of Salsk greatly increases the threat to the Germans m the Caucasus, because-tne Russians will be able to strike across the open country . between Manich and Salsk to Rostov. Through this big railway junction pass supplies tor Hitler’s southern armies and their supply position has now been greatly complicated. The Berlin radio admits that. Russian attacks are growing in intensity and says the enemy at all focal points along the front, is employing vast armies and supplies in an effort to break through. Moscow correspondents describe the pact of the Russian advance on the same front as like a whirlwind.

GERMANS IN MAIKOP.

QUESTION of RETIREMENT.

(Rec. 9.25.) LONDON, Jan 34. * The Moscow correspondent of “The Times” emphasises that the Russians in the Caucasus have a front two hy n " dred miles broad. He states*. ‘‘The Germans have the choice of several high roads from Maikop to the Kras-nodar-Tikhoretsk railway. This line the Red Air Force is heavily bombing. The Russian momentum down the Baku-Rostov railway, however, fakes such a line of espape precarious. With other land routes threatened, the Kerch Straits again is assuming importance, especially as the Russians are undoubtedly masters in the Black Sea, they possessing a number of submarines and destroyers, besides mosquito craft.