ENEMY HIT AT MANY POINTS

Grey River Argus, 13 May 1943, Page 5

ENEMY HIT AT MANY POINTS

—— ft Novorossisk Defences RUSSIANS FACE FORMIDABLE TASK. i Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l LONDON, May 11. ' The Russians are battering their way step by step towards the Black Sea port of Novorossisk. The main assault is from the north-east, where the Germans have built a. formidable system of defence lines, through which, the Russians emphasise there is no quick or easy way.. The Russians have 1 cleared the first defence Imo, and arc making inroads into Ihe second. A Soviet communique ■ ays: “Strong artillery lire took place in the Kuban area and northcast of Novorossisk on Monday. Rhe airforce dealt heavy; blows to enemy troops.’’

FORTIFICATIONS DEMOLISHED.

RUGBY, May 11. A Soviet communique states; In the Kuban, north-east of Novorossisk, to-day, our military and aerial attack continued to demolish enemy fortifications. During the day thirtyfive enemy planes were shot down m combat, ‘while twenty-one ■ were brought down by anti-aircraft batteries Our losses were eleven. 'I he Red Army penetrated the new enemy defence line reached a few days ago, states a Moscow message. The line consists of ferro-concrete blockhouses and trenches with concrete parapets, which were reducible only , by concentrated bombing, and shelling which accounts for the slowness or the advance. The Germans built fortifications behind a deep zone of field works and minefields, which are now mostly in Russian hands. Yesterday, the Germans counterattacked with renewed violence, supported by a strong air umbrella'. In one sector, the Russians ' successfully withstood nine bombings, and captured an important height.

Fighting at Rostov LONDON, May 11. A Soviet communique records activity west of Rostov, on the Volkhov front, and in the area of Lisitichansk where two enemy infantry battalions, supported by 15 tanks, attacked Soviet positions. Red Army troops retreated slightly, then dealt a blow from the flank and compelled the enemy to retreat t 0 his former positions. Nine German tanks were destroyed or damaged, and 300 tiermans were killed. On another sector of the same front Soviet troops repelled four German counter-attacks. The Moscow, radio says that about 200 enemy aeroplanes on Sunday attempted to bomb the Rostov-Bataisk area. The enemy force was dispersed by anti-aircraft guns and Soviet lighters, and only a few German aeroplanes broke through, they dropped bombs at random, and no military or industrial targets were damaged. Forty-three German aeroplanes were destroyed. The Russians lost seven aeroplanes. On Monday 40 German aeroplanes attempted to raid the railway station of Shchigry. Only three to four aeroplanes got through. They, dropped several bombs, which demolished f 1.3 railway waggons carrying scra'p iron. Eleven German aeroplanes were shot down, while the Soviet Air Force suffered no loss.

RUSSIAN AIR ACTIVITY.

LONDON, May 11

A special Soviet communique says: “Our air force on Sunday dealt a powerful blow against the important railway junction of Bryansk. Our aeroplanes bombod trams between Bylelgorod and Kharkov, Lozovaya and Kramatorskaya, Orel and Glazumovka, Mtsensk or Orel, Vitebsk and Nov o Sokolniki, and other railway lines. Many trains and lorries carrying troops and supplies were destroyed. Our aeroplanes also successfully bombed a number of aerodromes.”

Offensives Forecast HINTS OF BIG RUSSIAN ACTIVITY.

LONDON, May 11. The Russian guns are pounding the German defences before Novorossisk and Russian bombers are hammering •the key area in the German salient of the Orel sector. Other than this, the Russian front news is quiet, but filled with hints of early offensives. “The Times” Moscow correspondent says Novorossisk was previously the- Soviet’s greatest cement-produc-ing centre and the Germans clearly spent the winter establishing a’ very tough fortification system. The Russian guns are ceaselessly hammering the defence line, which has been reached and; penetrated; ■in some places. , j Reuter’s Moscow correspondent reports that a Russian offensive in the Orel sector can be expected any day. The Red Air Force bombers appear to be softening up the sector for land attacks. The Russians are also constantly battering the 'four main railways leading to Orel. The Germans must be relying on partially-crippled rail communications, or are already completely cut off. The “Daily Express” correspondent in Persia says Russia is about to launch her greatest offensive. It may not be launched where the Germans expect it, but it will certainly come and quickly, he says. A Red Army officer in Teheran told the correspondent: “Yours is a splendid victory in Africa’, but the spotlight will soon swing back to the Red The latest Moscow reports have stated that the Russians expect the Germans to make the first summer move, but London observers believe these reports are part of the Russian war of nerves to keep the Germans guessing about the Red Army plans.