RUSSIANS OUTNUMBERED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25174, 15 March 1943, Page 3

RUSSIANS OUTNUMBERED

DESPERATE RESISTANCE MAINTAINED (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, Mar. 14. Though heavily outnumbered in men, tanks, and planes, the Russian defenders of Kharkov are still resisting desperately. A front line despatch to the Moscow newspaper Pravda says the situation is serious. The German news agency's claim that Kharkov had been recaptured has been modified by the German High Command. A German communique states that bitter fighting continues in some districts of Kharkov. The railway station has been occupied and also the station yards. The communique also claims that German divisions west of Byelgorod, attacking on a wide front, captured Akhtyrka, Graivoron, and Bogodukhov. The Red Star says the Russians’ resistance at Kharkov is growing, slowing the enemy advance and inflicting mounting losses. The military writer of the Daily Ex--s>ress, Mr Morley Richards, believes here is hope for Kharkov as long as the defenders can hold the left bank of the Donetz. If the Russians are driven from the Donetz the city’s eastern communications will be threatened, and it may be necessary to withdraw from the position. , The Russians are driving a broad wedge between Vyazma and Smolensk, reports Reuter’s Moscow correspondent. Their right flank has been considerably advanced towards Yartsevo, which is 40 miles north-east of Smolensk. The Red Army’s left flank is biting more deeply between the headwaters of the Dnieper and Vyazma, thrusting towards Nikitinka. Marshal Timoshenko’s troops, fighting among bogs on the south bank of Lake Ilmen, have broken into German strongholds guarding. Staraya Russa. from the ■orth. Five villages were taken in a series of swift encircling moves. The Berlin radio admitted that i 100,000 Russian men, women, and children are being moved back with the German troops from the evacuated areas in Central Russia.