NO FURTHER NAZI GAINS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 24 October 1942, Page 5

NO FURTHER NAZI GAINS

Bad Weather at Stalingrad SITUATION IS STILL CRITICAL

London, Oct. 22. The weather continues to set a problem for the Germans along the southern Russian front. In addition, quagmired streets are slowing up his attacks on Stalingrad. Ihe enemy is hard put to find sheltei for his troops, because there are no large inhabited localities near thf city for billets. Cold driving rain continues at Stalingrad and some snow fell on the Steppeiand north-west of the city. Ihe Moscow correspondent of “I he I imes” says the German# are continuing their attacks north of the suburbs without gaining ground. Stalingrad’s situation is still critical, but it is now clear that the latest German offensive has lost its original momentum, and lost the chance of developing into an initial success while the Russian# were off their balance. Russian guns have been more than a match for German tanks approaching a disputed factory from the north west.

Stalingrad field radio reported to night that the Russians to-day beat back seven German attacks in the north west sector of the city. The enemy was finally forced to withdraw. The German High Command, describ ing the Russian break-through north west of Stalingrad, said the Russians, by concentrating forces on a narrow front succeeded in penetrating German forward positions. The High Command claimed the line was recaptured. Moscow message say the weather is playing a vital part in the Caucasus where the enemy is making an effort to bustle across mountain passes to the south before the snow piles high enough to halt all movement. German tank assaults have already diminished appreciably. "Red Star” considers the Germans are husbanding heavy tanks hoping to throw them in at a decisive moment for a break-through, and adds that the enemy in the past ten days last 4000 men in bitter fighting for a mountain road. The German High Command in a statement said the Caucasus operations in the past few days were confined to solving the transport problem, which the Germans have done by columns of porters. An American radio commentator in a broadcast from Moscow declared: “The Caucasus fighting is bleeding the invader white.” HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING To-night’s official Soviet reports say: "Enemy tank and infantry attacks in the Stalingrad area have been rbpelled. In one factory area engagements frequently developed into hand-to-hand fighting and in the course of these engagements 13 German tanks were destroyed and an infantry battalion was annihilated. RED ARMY SUCCESS “North-west of Stalingrad our troops, by during attacks, penetrated enemy positions and after stubborn fighting occupied two lines of trenches. The enemy left over 200 dead. We captured booty.

“On another sector of the same front fighting continued in the area of one height. The enemy made several unsuccessful counter-attacks in an attempt to retake positions lost two days ago. “Our troops in the Mosdok area waged defensive operations. In one sector the enemy launched an attack by one infantry regiment, supported by a large number of tanks. Our men destroyed seven tanks and eight guns, and wiped out one enemy infantry battalion. Only at one place did the enemy succeed in driving a wedge into the first line of our defences. Russians are now trying to wipe out this group.” For the first time a German High Command communique to-night refers to defensive fighting having taken place yesterday to the north of Stalingrad.— 8.0. W. and P.A.