ADVANCE STEMMED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 23 October 1941, Page 5

ADVANCE STEMMED

FIGHTING IN THE UKRAINE GRAVE SITUATION AT TAGANROG HEAVY RAIN AND BAD ROADS (Rec. 11.55 a.m ) London, Oct. 22. The weather in Russia has markedly deteriorated. Heavy rain is falling on the southern and central fronts, where roads are almost impassable. The Tass News Agency (Moscow) states : “Soviet troops succeeded in stopping the German advance on different sectors of the southern front in the direction of Rostov. The enemy was unable to resist the counter-attacks and was obliged to pass to the defensive. The Germans tried to make a detour of the fortifications of Taganrog after several ineffectual frontal attacks. Both sides suffered heavy losses. We a severe blow to enamy tank units. The situation at Taganrog, nevertheless, is extremely grave. Pressure in the Orel sector has slackened. The enemy is hesitating to throw in large formations despite numerical superiority, and is trying to infiltrate our lines in small groups. “Our troops delivered a violent blow in the vicinity of Orel and inflicted heavy losses, sobering the invaders. Three German attempts to cross a river failed and we succeeded in pushing back enemy masses in some places. A violent attack cleared the Germans from one town and the enemy left many dead Ever increasing tenacity of the Soviet troops characterises the situation in the direction of Kalinin. The Germans managed to ford a river in ' ne sector, but a fierce counter-at-tack routed and annihilated the enemy's detachment. Bitter fighting continues at the approaches to Kalinin." Berlin officials admitted that the German advance in the Donetz Basin has somewhat slowed down as the tremendous forced marches in the past fortnight necessitate a breather for the troops. A German communique states that German and allied troops extended their occupation of the industrial area of the Donetz Basin. The communique repeats the special announcement concerning the occupation of the Baltic Islands, and adds that the Finnish navy effectively supported German naval forces—U.P.A. SCORCHED EARTH POLICY DESTRUCTION IN THE UKRAINE ITALIAN PRESS REPORT London, Oct. 21. I The Turin newspaper “Gazetta del Popolo" reports that the destruction of the industrial districts in the Ukraine has been systematic. All factories have either been dynamited or burnt, and there is no hope of using them. The devastation in Odessa. it states, is indescribable. The Russians had blown up the city’s dam in five places, flooding the centre and suburbs to the level of the first floor of the houses. The higher parts of the town were unaffected, but they were in flames. The port of Odessa is completely destroyed. Only one small steamer, which was blown up, lies near the quay.—U.P.A.