COUNTER-STROKE AT KHARKOV

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24279, 21 May 1942, Page 5

COUNTER-STROKE AT KHARKOV

SOVIET FORCES MENACED

STRUGGLE STILL RAGES BITTERLY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Beceived May 20, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, May 20 The Germans under General von Bock have launched an offensive on the Isyiim-Barvenkova front, south-east of Kharkov, according to a Soviet communique. The move is seen as a threat to the flank and rear of Marshal Timoshenko's armies. Isyum is on the Donetz River, 80 miles south-east of Kharkov, and at the base of the Russian bulge to the south of that city. Barvenkova is 30 miles south-west of Isyum. The Germans are probably seeking to cut in behind the Russians left wing. Alternatively, their new drive may be an attempt to relieve the tremendous Russian pressure on Kharkov, upon which city all von Bock s advanced communications pivot. Some Russian units are reported to be only eight miles from the centre of Kharkov. Messages from Moscow, quoted by the British official wireless, indicate that Marshal Timoshenko s drive continues to widen and deepen the breach in the German defences in the Kharkov area. The Germans are said to be hurling an increasing number of tanks into the fray. In a battle in one sector yesterday the Germans threw in 90 tanks, 46 of which were destroyed. An especially fierce battle is stated to be raging for two vital highways where the Russians are pressing the Germans to the north and to the south-west. A considerable amount of use appears £# be made of the Russian cavalry which, besides pursuing the retreating Germans and inflicting heavy casualties, captured a large settlement which was strongly held by the enemy. The Rumanian Fourth Division counter-attacked later, but was repulsed. Othkr reports speak of severe fighting on the north-west front where, following the Russian advance, the Germans are trying desperately to wrest the initiative from the Red Army. It is stated that von Bock is throwing in all his available forces in an attempt to disorganise the Red Army's advance on Kharkov. Observers, however, are of the opinion that Marshal Timoshenko has already achieved his principal objective—the disorganisation of the German preparations for the drive on the Caucasus.