VAST BATTLEGROUND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 27 November 1942, Page 5

VAST BATTLEGROUND

RUSSIANS STILL ADVANCING GERMANS THREATENED WITH DESTRUCTION (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) Rugby, Nov. 26. The total numbers of the enemy threatened with destruction by the Russian offensive arc not accurately known, but are believed in London to be at least twenty divisions, many of which are probably much reduced by the fruitless attacks on Stalingrad in the past three months. Apparently the Germans so far have found it impossible to carry out any effective counter-attacks or even halt the Russian advance. It is difficult to draw a precise picture

of this vast battleground. Roughly three great pincers are being wielded by the Russians, one closing on the outskirts of Stalingrad itself from the north and south, the second some 45 miles west of the jaws which seemed yesterday to be only 25 miles apart at Kalach in the south and Navatov in the north, both on the Don, and the third and most comprehensive pincer has swung down from Serafimovich and turned east at Chernyshevskaya in a tremendous embracing sweep crossing the river Chir, where the Germans might have been expected to make a stand, and reaching Richkov on the east-west railway, thus virtually completing the encirclement of the tip of the Don elbow. The other arm of this pincer is the western branch of that which captured Kalach. Though Rm'.ian gains are already great, it seems not unreasonable to anticipate even greater gains as a result of movements still taking place. The battle of the Don and Volga bends may well prove the greatest setback Hitler has yet suffered at the hands of the Russians. FIERCER OPPOSITION The Russian offensive is continuing to make progress, despite much fiercer opposition, particularly south of Stalingrad. Germans everywhere In the Don and Stalingrad area are doing their utmost to strengthen the positions they still hold in the hope of hanging on until the German Command is able to launch an attack to relieve them. Coinciding with the Stalingrad push the Russians have launched an offensive north-west of Moscow. Berlin radio announced that the offensive, which opened on a wide front, made local breaches. A German communique stated: ’’Russians on the central front yesterday started their expected attack south of Kalinin and south-east and west of Toropets. Fierce fighting occurred and German counter-attacks straightened out temporary break-throughs.” Moscow reports that the Red Air Force with air superiority is now pounding strongpoints all along the siege lines around Stalingrad. Stormoviks and assault planes have carried out hundreds of sorties in the last 24 hours. The Germans are now rushing all available warplanes tc this front. —8.0. W.