MOUNTING FURY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 226, 25 September 1942, Page 5

MOUNTING FURY

POUNDING OF ENEMY REINFORCEMENTS London, Sept. 23. Stalingrad entered its thirtieth day of the battle with the Germans having gained some streets at bitter cost. After ferocious fighting amid the city’s blazing ruins last night, German troops, supported by 100 tanks, pressed Russian units back and succeeded in holding several streets. In all other parts of the city and outside it, repeated German onslaughts were beaten off. The Red Star says that the Russians north-west of Stalingrad are inexorably sweeping back the Germans. They broke through the German line of the outer defences, recaptured a height, and established themselves across an important road. The Germans, alarmed at the Russian progress, are now swinging men ana machines to this area. The tempo of the street fighting in Stalingrad is mounting in fury as. both sides throw in more armour. Tanks from both sides crash along the shell-pitted pavements. The Luftwaffe continues to inflict terrific damage, and huge fires burn day and night. Batteries of Russian field-guns stretching in an immense curv* behind Stalingrad, some standing almost wheel to wheel, are pouring a stream of shells into German reinforcements coming up to join in the battle for the city. One concentration of 21 Russian batteries pounded an enemy concentration of 200 tanks aiul 500 lorries with devastating effect. The Germans have opened a new offensive on the south bank of the Terek River, but the Russians are holding them. The Germans failed to widen their bridgehead, and the Russians are still holding the ridge of hills which they recently recaptured. The Russians on the Novorossisk front have improved their positions and have driven the Germans from x number of mountain passes.