FURIOUS NIGHT BATTLE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 253, 24 September 1942, Page 5

FURIOUS NIGHT BATTLE

BIG FIRES IN CITY .

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) (Rec. 11.40 a.m.; LONDON, Sept .23 Stalingrad entered its 30th day of the battle with tho Germans having gained some streets at bitter cost. After ferocious fighting amid the city's blazing ruins last night, the Germans, supported by 100 tanks, pressed the Russian units back and succeeded in holding several streets. In all other parts of the city and outside it, repeated German onslaughts were beaten off. Tho Red Star says the Russians, north-west of Stalingrad, are inexorably sweeping back the Germans. They have broken through the German line of outer defences, recaptured a height and established tTiemselves across an important road. The Germans, alarmed at the Russian progress, are now swinging men and machines to this area.

The tempo of the street fighting in Stalingrad is continuing to mount in fury as both sides throw in more armour. Every spot of cover is being used while tanks from both sides crash along the shell-marked pavements. . . ... The Luftwaffe continues to inflict terrific damage, and huge fires are burning day and night. A concentration of 21 Russian batteries pounded enemy concentrations of 200 tanks and 500 lorries with devastating effect. NEW THRUST IN SOUTH.

The Germans have opened a new offensive on the south bank of the Terek River, but the Russians are holding them. Tlio Germans failed to widen their bridgehead and the Russians are still holding the ridge of hills they recently recaptured. ■ _ The Russians on the Novorossisk front have improved their positions and driven the Genrians from a number of mountain passes.