IN KHARKOV REGION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 114, 18 May 1942, Page 5

IN KHARKOV REGION

RUSSIAN ADVANCE CONTINUES RELENTLESS ATTACKS BY GUERRILLAS (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Recd. 7.30 p.m.) London, May 16. Marshal Timoshenko’s forces in the Kharkov region are continuing their successes. The Russians streamed across the Donetz at fresh points between Byelgorod and Miyev. Russian planes dominate the sky over the battlefield. Heavy guns opened the way for tanks and infantry. Pravda describes the Russian use of the tank ‘'landings," where the troops advance into fortified zones aboard heavilyarmoured vehicles and then disembark in the rear of German positions. The Russians are also skilfully using camouflage and swift manoeuvres to swoop on anil wipe, out German artillery, mortar posts and machine-gun lusts in the firing lines.

The offensive has caused a tremendous outburst of guerrilla activity to the west of the battlefront, and guerrillas, aided by the relentless attacks by the Red air force, are rendering reinforcement of the Germans most difficult. A Moscow communique says tne .Russians in tne Knarxov mreclion, successiully advancing, liberated many populated places and inilicteo tremendous losses. They have taken a large numoer of prisoners ana capturea tanks, guns, motor vehicles, ammunition uumps and warehouses lull of war materials and provisions. Russian units m three days' fighting on various sectors of the Leningrad front annihilated 1200 Germans and destroyed much war material. A Russian detachment operating at the real of the enemy on the central front wrecked lout military trains and killed more than 300 Germans. The Stockholm correspondent of the Dailv Express says a Russian air and tank offensive resulted in the capture of Kremona, which is on the railway line from Leningrad to Dno, northwest of Volkhov. Reuter's correspondent on the German frontier says the Russians at Yenikale are reported to have driven the Germans out of Kerch, which the Germans occupied except for the harbour area. Russian tanks under cover of artillery hurled the Germans back to the surrounding heights. The Finnish radio says that Marsha Tanner issued a statement that Finland will never make a separate peace with Russia. A Moscow report announces that r large tire broke out at the goods station at Stuttgart. Warehouses were burnt down. All foreigners working at the station were arrested.