SUCCESS OF NEW OFFENSIVE

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22093, 17 July 1943, Page 5

SUCCESS OF NEW OFFENSIVE

REPULSE OF GERMAN COUNTER-ATTACKS TOWNS CAPTURED PLANES AND TANKS DESTROYED LONDON, July 16 Russian forces in their new offensive in the Orel sector have again advanced by from six to nine miles at points not yet named. They have repulsed 11 counter-attacks with heavy losses to the enemy. Over the whole front today the Russians destroyed 129 German tanks and 76 aeroplanes. The Red Army is striking into the Orel salient from three directions, north east and south. At one point mobile units have reached within five miles of the city of Orel. The Russian drive is toward the vital railway linking Orel with Briansk and the German rear. East of Orel the Russians are pushing forward on a 30-mile front astride the railway from Voronezh. Inhabited localities captured by the Russians include Setuka, 28 miles east of Orel and three miles north of the Orel-Voronezh railway, and Berezovetz, about 30 miles east of Orel and two miles south of the same railway. Klen and Yelensk have also been captured. Both are 18 miles north of the Orel-Briansk railway. At Klen the Russians have pierced the German winter line.