GROWING STRONGER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 August 1942, Page 3

GROWING STRONGER

RUSSIAN RESISTANCE EXCEPT IN NORTH CAUCASUS. MAIKOP NOW A BLAZING INFERNO. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, August 11. There have been definite signs in the last 48 hours that the Soviet I resistance is strengthening in all vital sectors except Armavir, says Reuter’s Moscow correspondent. The Maikop oilfield, which was set on fire by the Russians, is now an impenetrable inferno of flame, reports ' the “Daily Telegraph.” German bombers are attempting to blast out the fires by dropping demolition charges down the blazing wells. I AIR BLOCKADE OF CASPIAN OIL ROUTE. POSSIBLE GERMAN INTENTION. LONDON, August 11. A correspondent, Mr Negley Farson, in an article in the “Daily Mail," points out that it is not necessary for Field Farshal von Bock to drive his forces across the great Caucasian Mountains; ho can cut off the Russians from their absolutely essential source of fuel oil first, by smashing through the remaining 40 or 50 miles from the Don bend to the Volga at Stalingrad, and, secondly, by striking swiftly to the Caspian Sea" across the Caucasian neck. German air bases at Makhachkala could command the Caspian, which here is only 170 miles wide, and divebomb every vessel attempting to carry oil to the north for the Russians, and German shore batteries from Stalingrad could sink oil tankers and food barges trying to struggle up the Volga against the strong current on the thin stretch. RAPID ADVANCE MADE BY THE GERMANS. IN NORTH CAUCASUS REGION. LONDON, August 11. Today’s Soviet communique reports a further withdrawal in the Armavir region in the Caucasus foothills, and repeats last night’s announcement of fighting in the 'oilfields district of Maikop and Krasnodar. A Moscow correspondent says it appears that the presence of the enemy force at Krasnodar represents a 90mile advance in not much more than 24 hours. The operations in the Kotelnikovo region have not relaxed and the fighting in the Kletskaya sector yesterday was the most violent yet. The Germans ignoring their losses; have repeatedly hurled in reinforced tank units and infantry, and the Russians hereabouts are only just hanging on. The Berlin radio stated that big battles have been raging in the Rzhev sector, north-west of Moscow, since July 30. The Russians day after day have been sending over strong infantry and tank forces supported by artillery, but all the attacks have, been repulsed.