GREAT RESERVES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 176, 28 July 1942, Page 5

GREAT RESERVES

FLUNG IN BY BOCK

Some Russian Counter-attacks

Prove Effective

United Press Association.—Copyright Rec. 2 p.m. LONDON, July 27.

Desperate fighting is going on all day and night for the 300 miles between Kalach and Rostov. Marshal Timoshenko is launching coun-ter-attack after counter-attack against von Bock's menacing bridgeheads in the Tsymlyanskaya area. The Germans have been thrown back into the Don at several points, and at others cut off, but elsewhere the Russians admit they have been forced to give ground. Moscow describes the situation as very grave. A big tank battle is reported to be developing around Kalach. The German's claim to have crossed the Don near Rostov and captured Bataisk, and also to have surrounded Azov are so far not confirmed.

The Daily Telegraph's Moscow correspondent says the German Command daily throws in more reserves at all essential points, aiming at widening the deepening wedges being driven towards Stalingrad and Baku. "Never before has the enemy better shown his superlative quality in swift mass concentration, also in wealth of efficient motor transport," he says. "But we must not belittle Marshal Timoshenko's strategy. He cannot yet risk engaging forces as heavy as von Bock's." Airmen Blast Enemy Hordes The Daily Telegraph's Moscow correspondent adds that the enemy maintains two bridgeheads at Tsymlyanskaya, but has not succeeded in establishing others. Enemy pressure is growing hourly. Each fresh attempt to force a crossing is savagely smashed by the Red Air Force, which is now in considerable strength in the Tsymlyanskaya area. Stormoviks are blasting the German concentrations. They are divefighters fitted with big cannon and strongly armoured forward so they can come right down and rake armoured units, batteries, transports and troops. The Germans temporarily made a new crossing, but were thrown into confusion by the Stormoviks. The blitz was then pushed into the river by bayonets, grenades and Tommy guns. The Daily Telegraph's Stockholm representative reports that a tremendous panzer battle is raging around Kalach. Russian tanks, also infantry, in powerful field fortifications, are offering desperate resistance. Rumanian and the German armoured forces attack wave after wave in superior numbers with seemingly inexhaustible reserves. Fierce Struggle for Rostov Pravda's front line reporter at Rostov says: "Enemy planes, tanks, artillery—everything—were again thrown in to-day in a ferocious battle. Russian artillery was firing on the tanks over open sights, knocking out scores. We threw back three attacks in one area, but the enemy brought up more tanks and fresh infantry and broke deeply into our defences."

The Times Moscow correspondent reports that important Russian forces still on the right bank of the Don are fighting stubborn defensive battles, the most outstanding being at Novocherkask, now in its sixth day. A large enemy force, strong in tanks, is held up mainly by infantry and artillery, who are exacting the heaviest toll of the advancing masses.

The Germans are unable to stem the steady Russian advance at Voronezh. The strength of the Russian forces on the west bank of the Don is growing. The Russians made a new crossing yesterday, widening the front. A strong German group is still within the city perimeter, apparently determined to hold on. The position is unsatisfactory until the Germans are dislodged from the city, also from the triangle between the Don and the Voronezh Rvers.

Fierce fighting continues on the adjacent Bryansk front, where the Russians have captured another height and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy motorised forces and infantry.

The Daily Mail's Stockholm reporter says the two German armoured columns which forced the Don at Tsymlyanskaya have joined up. but the Russians isolated them from the river, launching attacks from all sides in an attempt to wipe them out.

The Soviet War News states that the Red air force destroyed or damaged more than 1600 German tanks between June 27 and July 24. A total of 228 German tanks were destroyed on one sector of the Voronezh front.