GERMAN ADVANCE

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

GERMAN ADVANCE

RUSSIANS GIVE GROUND NEARING MAIN DEFENCE LINE (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, July 14. Although the full stream of Marshal von Bock’s advance may be interrupted at Voronezh by the valient Russian counter-attack, the gravity of the German sweep south and to the south-east can be readily realised from the capture of or threat to such places as Millerovo, Stalingrad, Migulinskaya, anidi Voroshilovgrad which are mentioned in to-day's reports.

The Stockholm correspondent of The Times says that apart from Voronezh and a 100-mile stretch of the Don to the south of Bogutchar. the main battle-front must now be considered as stretching between the junction of the Bogutchar River with the Don down to the Sea of Azov, with fronts on the north wing, wheeling to the east along the Don to the Don's elbow, 40 miles from Stalingrad, which is on the Volga's corresponding elbow, The Russians are retiring to the main prepared line, which is roughly 200 miles long, along the Lower Don, which is the strongest natural defence line before tine apnroaches to the Caucasus. Fresh Russian Armies After the Dnieper was abandoned last year the Russians were not expected to make a really determined stand before this line was reached, where presumably fresh armies are already stationed to meet and stem the German advance, when the tired though intact Russian forces now fighting will pass through to rest and reorganise as reserves in the rear. The Russians expect the hardest fighting in the Donetz Basin, south and south-east of Lisitichansk, where the German pressure already threatens the local Russian flank and may compel the abandonment of several towns in a cluster to the south of the Donetz; particularly around Arlemovsk., At the southern end. of which the Sea of Azov and the Don front are now pivots, the German positions have been stabilised since December and are about 50 miles from the niouth of the Don below Rostov. It is certain, therefore, that no large-scale withdrawal here can figure m the Russian 'programme and the Don can be crossed here only after a major Russian defeat. Fierce Battles

The Soviet night communique states; “ Soviet troops to-day fought fierce battles against the German army group which broke through in the region ot Voronezh. In the region south of Bogutchar our troops were engaged in heavy fighting with advancing German tanks and motorised infantry. There are no important changes in other sectors.” ~ According to Moscow messages, tne Russians are continuing their slow retreat south of Bogutchar. They withdrew several miles on Monday, but only after inflicting very heavy losses on the Germans. German pressure is said to be continuing to increase, and one specially powerful thrust was made in one sector where, through numerical superiority, the Germans advanced in spite of being engaged by the Russians in a strong rearguard action. A fierce battle is raging day and night, with Soviet tanks making vicious thrusts and adding to their toll of the advancing enemy.

Red Army’s Attack at Kalinin

Following the Red Army’s withdrawal south-west ot Rostov, the Russians launched a powerful counterattack on the Kalinin front, which held the enemy’s advance and is limiting the fighting to two sectors. Furious encounters took place, in the course of which the Russians cut an important road linking two large concentrations of enemy forces and dislodged the Germans from several settlements. In a desperate attempt to hold the road the enemy brought up fresh reserves, achieving numerical superiority in a number of places. The enemy also increased the air force protecting the land forces. All attempts to regain complete control of the road are said, however, to have been frustrated by deadly trench-mortar and artillery fire. The Russian counter-attack on the Voronezh front is reported to have inflicted very high casualties on the enemy. The Russians are making good use of their tanks and cavalry here. About 500 German tanks and two divisions, one of which is said to have just arrived from France, are resisting the Soviet thrust.