BATTLES FOR BUILDINGS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 254, 25 September 1942, Page 5

BATTLES FOR BUILDINGS

LIFE IN CHARRED CITY

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 24 Yesterday saw the fiercest fighting since the Germans first broke into Stalingrad, according to a Moscow message. Thero was a terrific struggle for one of the largest buildings in the city, all approaches to which were held by the Germans. The Red Army broke in but failed to take the building and sent in five men only who blew it up, burying all the Germans inside. The Russians also retook another building, killing 80 Germans. Tho Russians’ attack yesterday north-west of Stalingrad was simultaneous in several sectors and was preceded by heavy air raids and intense artillery fire, after which Soviet tanks and infantry crashed through the first line of the German defences and pressed forward in tho face of fierce resistance. The Red Star, giving an eye-wit-ness account of life in Stalingrad, states that the Volga continues to link the beleagured city with the rest of Russia, bringing up reserves and supplies. Stalingrad itself is described as a grey, smoky city charred by battle. There are no sale areas, hut everyone is used to danger. The majority of Russian wounded are being paddled across S the Volga as it is impossible to run \ hospitals in the flaming city. Some ' bakeries and restaurants, however, are still working.—Official Wireless.