RUSSIAN GAINS

Grey River Argus, 12 May 1943, Page 5

RUSSIAN GAINS

NEW MOVES LIKELY Novorossisk Fighting GERMANS MAY DRAW ON RESERVES. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, May 10. The Germans are reported to be drawing on reserves earmarked for the summer offensive in an attempt to hold Novorossisk says “Tne Times’s” Moscow correspondent, it seems that they, are determined to keep their heels dug into this last strip of the' Caucasian coastline. The Red Army is still advancing towards Novorossisk, but the defences are thick and tough, and progress is slow. Russian artillery first hammers a selected fortified area, which shock troops seize and hold against bitter counter-attacks. “Pravda” reports the intensity of the battle is increasing. The Russians are out-gunning the enemy and are also holding air superiority. The only, other noteworthy news from the Russian front is the continuaiticln of the Lisichansk battle, where the enemy is trying to regain the ground lost to the Russians last week.

Berlin’s radio commentator, Captain Sertorius, declares that both sides are ■ ready for grand-scale operations. He adds that tne Soviet has augmented the number of Guard Divisions, and has taken particular care to build up special formations, mostly artillery. The Soviet Air Force has grown considerably in recent months, and their air attacks against supply lines merit attention. PARIS RADIO REPORT. (Rec. 1.0.) " LONDON, May 11. Paris radio reports that the Russians carried out a large-scale landing in the Novorossisk area. German artillery and planes inflicted large losses on enemy barges.

RUSSIAN NAVY ACTIVE

RUGBY, May 10

The Moscow radio to 'day quoted an article on “the activities of the Red Fleet,” which described the role of the Black Sea Navy in the fighting in the Novorossisk area. Soviet marines taking part in the land operations are advancing towards Novorossisk. Shore artillery batteries are destroying enemy troops and planes. The Black Sea’ .Navy attacked an enemy aerodrome. E'ght planes were destroyed and nine damaged. Planes supporting the operations of the Soviet ground forces frustrated an attack by enemy bombers, and in spite of the numerical superiority; of the Germans’ planes, fighters shot down eight German planes. Cutters entered an enemy harbour and sank by torpedo a' larger self-propelled barge.

Leningrad Sector RUSSIAN LANDING AT SEA OF AZOV REPORTED. LONDON, May 10. The Berlin radio reports that the Russians attempted to carry out a large-scale landing behind the Germans in the Sea of Azov area'. It claims that 21 Russian ferry boats were gunk and 16 others heavily damaged. The Berlin radio reports that Russian warships and submarines made a night attempt to penetrate the sea channel from Leningrad to Kronstadt to invade the Eastern Baltic. The radio sayfc that the Russians, when spotted, put up a smoke-screen and attempted to dazzle the German searchlight crews. Russian artillery from Kronstadt, Leningrad, and the Karelian coast and also Russian aeroplanes participated in the ' battle. German guns sank two ships and damaged two, and dispersed the Russians after an artillery battle lasting three hours.