KHARKOV IN PERIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25173, 13 March 1943, Page 5

KHARKOV IN PERIL

STRONG GERMAN ATTACK RUSSIANS TAKE VYAZMA (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Rec. 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. 12. . The Germans are making a supreme effort to capture Kharkov and the issue is still in the balance. They are employing 900 tanks and several infantry divisions, with strong support from the Luftwaffe, and wave after wave of bombers is attacking the Russian reinforcements moving up to the front. Fighting is now believed to be taking place in the outskirts of Kharkov, and the Germans claim to have obtained a grip on the main road entrance within the suburbs. One Moscow correspondent says: “The present is one of those moments in a gigantic battle when the Whole issue of a campaign turns on a matter of hours.” The Berlin radio to-night claimed that Russian resistance on important roads and railways in the outer Kharkov area has been over-

Kharkov, which was recaptured by the Russians on February 16 last, is again gravely endangered by German attacks from the south and south-west. Vyazma, which is not shown in the map, lies between Moscow and Smolensk. come. The commentator,’ Captain Sertorious, said the city was closely enveloped from the south and west, while strong forces were thrusting from the north. ‘ ... The Stockholm correspondent of The Times, however, reports that the Russians have repelled all German efforts to get closer to the city. :Tj)p Germans have nowhere, managed to establish a footing on the left bank of the.Donetz; The Russians south and south-west of. Kharkov are facing the greater part of a powerful German army group, including a newly-formed corps of 1000 tanks which earlier failed to cross the Northern Donetz and was then switched to Kharkov. The Germans to-day announced the evacuation of Vyazma, the strongly fortified “ hedgehog ” position on the central front 100 miles north-east of Smolensk. The town has been held by the Germans since October, 1941, and had been converted into one of the chief bastions of their defence system. So far, the occupation of the town has not been reported by Moscow, hut unofficial messages from Russia say that the town was occupied yesterday. The Germans state that Vyazma was evacuated according to plan as part of the move to shorten their front.

The German announcement added that the. withdrawal was preceded by the blowing up of waterworks, workshops, rail installations, aerodromes, and main roads. The destruction of the town was unavoidable because of its situation in the fighting area. The Germans say they left untouched cultural buildings and two hospitals full of Russian soldiers and civilians with medical equipment and food supplies.