COUNTER BY SOVIET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25280, 17 July 1943, Page 5

COUNTER BY SOVIET

OFFENSIVE LAUNCHED GERMAN LINES BROKEN (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) * LONDON, July 16. The Russians, as the result of an offensive launched on the Orel-Kursk front a few days ago, have torn great gaps in the German defences covering the Orel bastion, and their attacks are reported to be gaining momentum. A Moscow communique states that Soviet troops north and east of Orel, after a number of counter-attacks, went over to the offensive which began from two directions from the area north of Orel in a southerly direction, and from east of Orel in a westerly direction. North of Orel Soviet troops broke through a strongly-fortified enemy defence zone, and broke the enemy’s front on a width of 25 miles. “In three days of intense fighting,” the communique says, “ our troops advanced 28 miles and demolished numerous enemy 'strongholds and key defence points. Our troops in this direction occupied 50 localities. East of Orel our troops broke a strongly-fortified enemy defence zone 19 miles wide, and, overcoming stubborn resistance, advanced 12 to 15 miles, occupying 60 localities.” Reuter’s military commentator points out that the Russian success is a remarkable achievement, especially as the Russians were able to stage a strong offensive practically during the German attack. “ It shows that the Russians were able to hold the German attack with local reserves while they prepared a counter-stroke, Reuter s commentator adds. “It is obvious that large numbers of tanks must have been held in reserve for the thrust, and this would tend to show that the German claims of vast destruction of Russian armour were grossly exaggerated. The blows have fallen where the Geimans are strongest. If the thrusts east and north of Orel should converge, an important chunk would be pinched out of the German line.” The German and Italian radios admit that Soviet forces breached the German lines on the Orel sector. The Russian change to the offensive follows 10 days in which the Russian salient at Kursk, below the Orel front, was successfully held against attacks which are estimated to have cost the Germans 60,000 men.