DOUBLE GERMAN DRIVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24634, 13 July 1943, Page 5

DOUBLE GERMAN DRIVE

PROGRESS SOUTH OF KURSK DANGER FROM_RUSSIAN TANKS RED ARMY ATTACKS IN STRENGTH (Received July 12, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON. July 1.2 The Germans have made some progress south of Kursk where they are driving northward from Bielgorod in two thrusts, one along the railway to Kursk and the other in a north-easterly direction. The drive along the railway appears to have progressed about 20 miles, but the Russians, with reserves of men and tanks, are now battling hard to flatten it out. The German wedge is so narrow that the German positions inside it are within range of Russian guns. The fighting yesterday was particularly fierce in the Orel region. In some attacks the Germans used up to 400 tanks at a time and threw them into action with wave after wave of infantry. Every attack was held. w

The German wedges in the neighbourhood of Bielgorod are in danger of being cut off by mass attacks by Soviet tanks, artillery and aircraft, which are growing in weight and intensity, states an earlier Moscow message. It adds that despatches from the front say that the wedges are of considerable width and depth, but all German attempts to increase them have failed. In cramped space the Germans are fighting at a serious disadvantage, while the Russians enjoy freedom to manoeuvre. Due north of Bielgorod 500 tanks, headed by Tigers, attacked on a narrow front and, after an exhausting three-hour battle, captured a populated point. While the enemy regrouped his depleted forces behind a screen of aerial bombs, masses of Soviet tanks struck a crushing counter-blow and recaptured the settlement. The German tanks withdrew under an air cover. Soviet fighters, however, which were brought up overwhelmed the German aircraft and bombers attacked a German armoured camp and disorganised masses of tanks, caterpillar guns and motorised infantry. This happened at the apex of one of the wedges and was one of the most severe tactical setbacks for the Germans since the beginning of the offensive. Another Moscow message states that the Russians are T6* taining mastery of the air in the Kursk salient in spite of German aerial reinforcements.