THE MIDDLE DON ADVANCE

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXI, Issue 15233, 24 December 1942, Page 3

THE MIDDLE DON ADVANCE

GERMANS BECOME PANIC STRICKEN RED ARMY ADVANCE IRRESISTIBLE. GERMAN COMMAND PUZZLED. (Received 11.50 a.m.) United Press Assn.- By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, Dec. 23. At many points on the Middle Dun front the Germans are retreating in complete disorder before Russian offensive and many of the Germans have become panic-stricken and aie throwing away their aims. Reuter’s Moscow says the Russians, after breaking through, are dashing forward at tremendous speed emulating Hitler’s panzer drive across France. The Germans having lost the line on th e Don now appear to lie lost altogether. Russian tank columns jvhich crashed through the German defence zone have. now reached open spaces favourable for large scale manoeuvres. Several large columns of heavy and medium tanks are today irresistibly thrusting southwards and south-west-wards hammering new wedges in the German positions. Masses of Russian infantry are quickly filling toe gaps torn in the German lines and mopping up and consolidating the newly won positions. German garrisons are making stands at strongpoints originally far behind their front line but reports are coming in of more and more of these garrisons either surrendering or being put out of action. Hitler at on<» stage made an attempt to stop the rot but bombed his own retreating troops. Tim German Oommahu is so far unable to offer a systematic oi* tactically comprehensible" counterblow.

The Red Army lias created onQ solid front and is sweeping onward, the Russian threat to Millerovo having grown greater n the past. 24 hours. Battles are waxing fiercer southwest of Stalingrad, the Germans having raced up numerous tanks in attempting by massive blows to pierce the Russian lanes and relieve Von Hoth.’s trapped forces.