STUBBORN DEFENCE OF STALINGRAD

Southland Times, Issue 24860, 28 September 1942, Page 5

STUBBORN DEFENCE OF STALINGRAD

RUSSIANS GIVE GROUND IN ONE SECTOR (United Press Association— Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 1.10 a.m.) LONDON, September 27. The Russian defenders of Stalingrad have been compelled to give ground in one sector, according to the Russian mid-day communique, but they are still resisting stubbornly They are mopping up German parties which have driven into the new defences. The Moscow correspondent of The Daily Express says the prolonged and magnificent defence of Stalingrad is changing the whole story of the war. It would be foolish to state that Stalingrad can hold on indefinitely. The growing problems of supply and transport are too great to be sure of that, but the possibility of a German failure remains. According to the Moscow radio the Germans in the Sinyaveno area in the past few days lost 100 tanks and 8000 men. The Germans are hurling in large reserves in an effort to check the Russian offensive in this area. The Germans violently attacked near Sinyaveno, but the Russians report that the lines they gained earlier in the month are intact. Messages from Stockholm report important Russian - progress from Leningrad through the Pulkova district. Field-Marshal Wilhelm von Leeb apparently realizes the danger of the Leningrad blockade being broken. At least one infantry division has been hastily transferred from the west. The Russians are steadily improving their positions in Karelia. The Finns have been displaced from another important stronghold after suffering 300 casualties. The Russians continue to make headway on the central front, despite strong resistance. One unit in the past 10 days has recaptured three villages and killed more than 2000 Germans.