STARTLING PROGRESS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIII, Issue 25, 29 December 1942, Page 5

STARTLING PROGRESS

SOVIET PLANS CLEAR. GERMAN DANGER GROWS. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, Dec. 27. The Red Army's startling Christmas successes show clearly that Marshal Timoshenko plans to encompass the 55 German divisions south of Voronezh in a complete ring, the.opposite points of its diameter being Stalingrad and Rostov, says the , military correspondent of the Daily Express. This involves the recapture of Rostov, on which the Russians are closing. Their progress under difficult winter conditions is phenomenal, suggesting that the Germans' power of resistance is breaking down. They have failed to consolidate a defensive line anywhere. Marshal Timoshenko at the gates of Rostov would seal the fate of the Germans in north Caucasia.

On the Stalingrad front tho Red Army is still driving back the relief force sent to help the divisions trapped between the Volga and the Don. These divisions are now left to their fate. The advance in this sector has boon up to 30 miles in two days, the Germans suffering enormous losses.

The area regained by tho Russians leaves the Don River about 30 miles north-north-west of Rossosh, crosses the Voronezh-Millerovo railway 20 miles north of Rossosh, hugs the railway to Rossosh which apparently is still held by the Germans, then runs almost straight to a point slightly east of Osinovo and swings south-west to the Millerovo area, where the Russians hold Baynkovka, 25 miles north-west of Millerovo. Malchevskaya, 12 miles north-west of Millerovo, Grekovo, 10 miles west of Millerovo, Voloshino, 22 miles west of Millerovo, and also Olkovyirog and Tarasov, which are about 15 miles south of Millerovo. The line runs roughly south-eastwards from the Tarasov area to Goloya which is about 20 miles north-east of Kamensk. The Russians hold Tatsinskaya, Potemkinskaya and Chilekov, which' are on the railway between Kotelnikovo and Jutovo. Since their mid-Don offensive began 12 days ago, the Russians have reoccupied 20,000 square miles of territory. One group of Russian forces is driving down the railway from Voronezh, by-passing Millerovo. Another group is moving along the Stalingrad railway line and tho two forces are now only from 50 to 60 miles apart. The Russians are now from 10 to 20 miles into the Ukraine. Between Rzhev and Veliki Liiki the Russians successfully contained large enemy forces and there were fresh successes at both ends of this front. „ Near Rzhev 40 per cent, ot a German regiment, including its commander, were killed before withdrawing.