THREAT TO VORONEZH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24969, 16 July 1942, Page 5

THREAT TO VORONEZH

MORE SERIOUS EVERY HOUR LONDON, July 14. The Russians launched a powerful counter-attack in the Voronezh area against the German left flank. _ Tanks, cavalry, and infantry crashed into the German defences and forced the Germans to retreat to the south. Red Star says the counter-attack began three days ago, the Russians forcing battle on the enemy on a broad front west of the Don. Repeated waves of Russian tanks hurled themselves against the Germans’ formidable tank batteries. The tanks, with cavalry and infantry, deeply penetrated the German flank defences. At least 90 German tanks were destroyed, while 2000 Germans and Hungarians were killed. The Russians retain the initiative. Another Moscow message says the

threat to Vononezh grows every hour. Large German tanks and motorised infantry forces are now smashing their way into the town under cover of smoke screens. In one sector of the line the Germans are using two tank divisions and two infantry divisions. They are also using flame throwers in efforts to dislodge the defenders from their trenches. Air battles rage constantly. Russian bombers are keeping up their pounding of the Don crossings, which the Russian artillery is still shelling. They are taking a heavy toll The Moscow radio announced that German troops had passed Millerovo. The Vichy radio declared that Marshak von Bock had begun a Sea of Azov offensive extending along a 100-mile front between Artemovsk and Taganrog. A message from Berlin to Stockholm says Marshal von Bock’s thrust towards Stalingrad is now beyond Kazansk, eastward of Bogutchar, and has reached the outskirts of Mogulinskaya. The Germans believe that they have sufficient material east of the Don to cut the Stalingrad-Moscow railway running 45 miles east of Voronezh. A German communique states: Our offensive on the Russian southern front has extended to the south. We have penetrated stubbornly-defended enemy positions. Our mobile forces deeply penetrated the Russian lines and dispersed retreating columns. The Rome radio declared that 34-ton Russian tanks, equipped with flamethrowers, are in action on the Orel front.