VASTLY IMPROVED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 255, 26 September 1942, Page 5

VASTLY IMPROVED

POSITION AT STALINGRAD. ALMOST A MIRACLE. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, Sept. 25. Tho position in the northwestern suburbs of Stalingrad has improved out of recognition during the past two days, reports the Daily Express correspondent in Moscow, who adds that it is something approaching a military miracle which the whole world should acknowledge with the deepest gratitude. The Germans had driven a very dangerous wedgo into the northwestern suburbs, but much of it has now been hammered out.

Mcamvhilo the Russians arc edging southward into the German corridor between the Don and the Volga north of Stalingrad. No changes are reported in other sectors of the Stalingrad perimeter. Developments during the past few days, however, do not mean that tho battle for Stalingrad has yet been decided, The Germans are still hammering away and still bringing up reinforcements from their seemingly limitless reserves as they demonstrated in their massive attacks to-day by 200 tanks in one small sector.

A Russian supplementary communique issued on Thursday night stated tliut many fierce. German attacks in tlie Stalingrad area were being beaten olf. North-west of tho city the Russians continued their offensive operations and advanced in some sectors. German attempts to regain the strategic height recently retaken by the Russians were defeated with heavy enemy losses in tlie seven attacks launched. Thirty-five tanks were destroyed and an infantry battalion wiped out. In the Mozdok area Soviet artillery arid mortar units inflicted heavy losses on enemy tank and infantry forces which were reported to have been reinforced. In one engagement 12 Gorman tanks were destroyed and a company of German automatic riflemen annihilated. Other losses Were inflicted in other engagements. Nevertheless, after fierce fighting the Russians were compelled to withdraw in oile sector.

The Stockholm correspondent of the Times reports that Voronezh, Rzliev, and Sinyavino are still centres of unfelaxed heavy fighting. The Leningrad garrison has apparently made substantial headway in the past few days in its attempt to link up with the main Russian army. The latest German reports mention Neva River crossings and hits on Russian lorries east of it. This implies tliat the Russians have_ established bridgeheads across tho Neva,