FAILURE ALLEGED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 23 October 1942, Page 2

FAILURE ALLEGED

NEW GERMAN ASSAULT I ATTACK ON STALINGRAD NO PROGRESS FOR THREE DAYS (Rec. 1.30) London, Oct. 22. It can be said with confidence that the new and tremendous German assault started against Stalingrad on 14th October and designed to cut through the Soviet positions and reach the Volga has failed, says a Moscow message. Considerable territorial gains were made by the Germans in the early stages but after the first two days the spearhead was blunted and in the last three days the Germans had made no new progress. Berlin radio reported that strong reinforcements have joined Stalingrad’s defenders. They crossed the Volga despite ceaseless German artillery fire and air attacks. The arrival of these reinforcements supports suggestions that the latest all-out German attack on the city is petering out. The Moscow correspondent of “The Times” says while it has been suggested that the enemy’s efforts at Stalingrad are weakening nevertheless his last week's gains are highly significant tactically and it can be assumed that violent fighting will continue, perhaps on comparatively narrow sectors, until a decision is reached. The Russian defenders are often in danger of encirclement because the Germans are able to attack them frontally as well as against the flank, but the Red Army forces remain intact and connected. A series of sharp and separate battles for heights is going on to the northwest of Stalingrad which, although described as of local significance are involving many men and taking toll of hundreds of the enemy daily.— P.A.