BATTLE FOR THE DON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24968, 15 July 1942, Page 3

BATTLE FOR THE DON

A DECISIVE STRUGGLE STAL CENTRES MENACED (United Press Association) ' (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Rec. 1 a.m) LONDON, July 14. To-day's Moscow communique states that last night there were fierce engagements in the Voronezh area and south of Bogutchar. Elsewhere there were no material changes. Earlier reports said that in the area between the Don and Voronezh the Soviet troops were continuing their heroic resistance. A Reuters despatch said that-more German forces, had fought their way across the Don near Voronezh, and German tanks and motorised infantry were still pouring towards the west bank of the river from the direction of Kursk. In fierce hand-to-hand fighting, as well as in tank battles, the Russians were defending every foot of ground. This correspondent says that the threat to Voronezh is increasing •very hour, and large German forces are now smashing their way right lot© the town under cover of a smoke screen. The Germans are also reported to be using flame-throwers. At Bogutchar another great *battle is developing in the elbow of the Don River, and desperate fighting is taking place south of the town. There is no further news of the enemy thrust in the Rjev sector since the reports of an offensive in thk; area which caused a Russian withdrawal. Other reports say that in six days' fighting around Kalinin very heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy, especially on his parachute troops. The Russians realise that the battle for the Don is one of the war's most decisive struggles, and do not conceal the menace to many centres of population. Except for the Voronezh sector, the scene of the heaviest fighting switched at the week-end to Bogutchar from Katimirovka, which brings the Germans almost to the banks of the Don, 200 miles below Voronezh. Russian resistance still appears to be strongest on the sector north-west of Voronezh, where for a week Russian tanks have offered the most determined obstacle, but the German superiority in regard to numbers of tanks is proving decisive elsewhere.