THRUSTS IN CENTRE AND SOUTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24102, 22 October 1941, Page 7

THRUSTS IN CENTRE AND SOUTH

MOSCOW'S PREPARATIONS STALIN TOURS THE OUTER DEFENCES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Beceired October 21, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 21 The Russians are still holding with stubborn resistance the ever-increasing German formations being thrown into the battles for Moscow and the Donetz Basin. The Moscow midnight communique reported that fighting ■was particularly stubborn in the direction of Mojaisk and Maloyaroslavets, on the central front. Large enemy tank formations repeatedly launched fierce attacks on the Russian positions, but all were repulsed. The Russians are making strong counter-attacks at some parts of the central front, particularly in the Kalinin sector. There is no definite information as to which side holds Kalinin and Orel. Renewed German thrusts toward Moscow have been repulsed. The mid-day Moscow communique again speaks of heavy fighting in the Mojaisk and Maloyaroslavets sectors and claims that enemy attacks in the Orel direction were repulsed. Stalin, in a heavily-armoured train, yesterday travelled over the 300-mile Moscow front, supervising the defences of the city, says the Stockholm correspondent of the Daily Express. In spite of German bombers and heavy artillery fire, he conferred with General Zhukov, the commander of the Soviet forces. The citizens of Moscow are said to be working day and night building a steel ring around the capital. The newspaper Pravda says this morning that there are big reserves of men and materials in Moscow and further supplies and reinforcements are still pouring in. The Germans claim that they are making steady progress in the Donetz Basin sector, but admit fierce Russian counter-attacks. Moscow says there has been heavy fighting in the Taganrog sector, west of Rostov. Breslau radio claims that great events are impending in the Ukraine. The Russians are stated to be in full flight in the Donetz Basin area. The New York Times says it is believed a temporary Russian capital has been formed at Kuibyshev (Samara), 560 miles east of Moscow.