DONETZ STRUGGLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24539, 23 March 1943, Page 3

DONETZ STRUGGLE

LOSS OF BIELGOBOP RIVER NOT YET CROSSED LONDON, March 22 The Germans south-east of Kharkov are rushing fresh forces into the battle at Chuguiev in an effort to force a decision. There has, however, been no appreciable change on this part of the front. North-east of Kharkov tho important railway town of Bielgorod has been evacuated by the Russians. The town fell after a fierce battle, but the Red Army is still keeping the Germans from crossing the Donetz. Massive German air concentrations, and tank, motorised and infantry forces are hammering at vital crossings amid slush and rain. After heavy losses in frontal attacks tlie Germans are now either aiming at flanking drives or striking at numerous points in an effort to find soft spots. One report says that in threo days of some of the grimmest fighting of the Russian war the Germans ceaselessly poured in huge reinforcements, including 200,000 men from western regions. Be liter's Moscow correspondent says the Germans are putting tremendous pressure on the Chuguiev and Bielgorod sectors. The Russians have been forced to yield ground at Chuguiev, but they still hold their main positions on the Donetz.

Correspondents emphasise ,that if the Germans are able to cross the Donetz here in force the entire Russian line from the region of Bielgorod to Voroshilovgrad will bo imperilled. Hitler is totally disregarding hugo losses, and is striving desperately to establish a bridgehead across tho Donetz before the spring thaw, in the race against which his losses are reported already to run into 100,000 killed and wounded. The Russians aro parrying the enemy's new manoeuvres against their flanks with artillery and anti-tank rifle fire. A Gorman communique states: — "In tho Kharkov-Bielgorod sector we reached the Upper Donetz on a wide front. In the Sievslc area we closed the last remaining gap and established a firm line of communication with the Orel sector." CAUCASUS DRIVE GERMAN ARMY'S HOPES (Reed. 8,30 p.m. 1 LONDON, March 22 Tho Russians in the northern Caucasus have captured 15 more places, including the strongly-fortified town of Petrovsk, near the Sea of Azov coast 55 miles north of Krasnodar. It is tolerably certain from Berlin indications that the Germans hope again to launch a spring and summer campaign against the Caucasus, partly to acquire oil and partly because they consider few other important objectives can be obtained, says tho Stockholm correspondent of the Times. Consequently, the Germans aro making a most determined bid for Donetz bridgeheads. Russian strategy requires the retention of the left bank of the Donetz to enable a drive from Kursk and Orel, or elsewhere, when the ground dries. The present German effort is so expensive that the enemy may find that the accumulation of a weight comparable to that of last year, and the forestalling of the Russians, is too tough a task Nevertheless, the Germans have the advantage of a bridgehead on the Caucasus which they did not possess last year. The Germans have not even the most meagre prospects of a successful major offensive on tho northern halt of the front, adds tho correspondent, but will probably be obliged to fight hard on the defensive, as tho Russians have indicated that they do not intend to remain idle as they did during tho summer last year.

RED ARMY ATTACK LAKE LADOGA REGION (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, March ~I Heavy lighting has broken out in the region of Lake Ladoga after a lull lasting several weeks, says the Associated Press, The Russians for some time have been massing in Leningrad and on the eastern flank of the German positions. After a heavy artillery barrage yesterday they began to storm the German lines.