BADLY MAULED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 20 November 1941, Page 5

BADLY MAULED

SURPRISE ATTACK FAILED GERMAN ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE ! ROSTOV (Rec. 11.45 a.m.) London, Nov. 19. German attempts to capture Rostov i by a surprise flank attacked ended in i complete failure says the Tass Agency (Moscow). General von Kleist tried to drive through Novochekhtinsk after which he intended to swing southwards towards Rostov. Against a Russian force under Command Kharitonov, General von Kleist flung two tank divisions, one mechanised and one SS division. The German tanks outnum bering the Russians by 6 to 1 pierced the first and second Soviet defence lines but Russian infantry concealed in deep dugout held ground. From all sides Soviet artillery poured in a withering fire while the tanks fell into camouflaged pits and mines blew off their caterpillar treads. The first day’s fighting upset von Kleist’s plans, which depended on a quick break through. The German force wheeled in all directions in efforts to find a weak spot in the Soviet 1 ting, but was pushed back everywhere. * Soviet planes carried out hundreds of low-flying attacks on German tanks and mechanised columns and artillery. Over ; half the German tanks were out of action when the offensive was brought ! to a standstill. The enemy lost thousands of men. The Moscow radio says despite the • Germans’ powerful fortifications the Russians are stubbornly advancing on the Leningrad front with strong support from heavy artillery and the Air Force. One Russian detachment occupied important new positions in the past 24 hours.