SITUATION TENSE

Southland Times, Issue 24864, 2 October 1942, Page 5

SITUATION TENSE

NO IMPORTANT NAZI ADVANCE (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 30. The situation in the north-western suburbs of Stalingrad, which was most critical at the week-end, has at present been re-established, but the situation is still tense. The Germans have not achieved an important advance since Sunday. The Russians are still fighting off incessant German attempts to capture a dominating height, from which the Volga ferries could be shelled. This battle is now in its third day. The Russians yesterday recaptured large buildings in the workers’ settlement. Meanwhile, the Russians driving from the north have improved their positions. They are reported to be attempting to force a new crossing over the Don with the intention of linking up with Red Army elements in the Kletskaya area. Fluid battles are raging outside Stalingrad’s built up regions, says the Moscow correspondent of The Times. Rumanians and Germans yesterday reached the Volga bank south of

Stalingrad, but the river flotilla drove them away. Farther south 170 German tanks attempted to smash to the river, but were held up by Russian artillery, which covered 30 miles in a few hours and took up positions in time to save the situation. GERMANS USE RESERVES The great battle north-west of Stalingrad is reported to be reaching a climax. The Germans are pouring in reserves and the Luftwaffe, is making as many as 1500 sorties a day. Heights change and rechange hands, but the balance of success is with the Russians. The German offensive in the Terek Valley is in its fourth day. The Germans are using groups of 100 tanks, but the defenders are holding firm. The situation is similar south-east of Novorossisk, where the Rumanians and Germans repeatedly falter after initial successes. The Russians are fighting stubbornly in the mountains northeast of Novorossisk, also to the eastward, where the Germans are doing their utmost to seize the mountain passes before the winter. The British United Press Moscow correspondent reports that Russian Marines, using commando tactics, raided Novorossisk and destroyed several batteries in the centre of the city. The Marines are playing a big part in raids along the Black Sea coast, destroying supplies, taking prisoners and generally keeping the Germans and Rumanians on the alert. A German communique states: “After hard offensive fighting Allied troops in the north-west Caucasus and south of Terek made further advances. The Germans stormed and captured some sectors in the northern part of Stalingrad.” ' -■