WIDE ADVANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 177, 29 July 1942, Page 5

WIDE ADVANCE

TOWARDS OILFIELDS

Timoshenko Believed Holding

Bulk Of Reserves

United Press Association.—Copyright Rec. 2 p.m. LONDON, July 28. The threat to the Caucasus is nowgrave. as the Germans claim to have crossed the Don on a broad front east of Rostov, crossed the Sal River and to nave reaciied the Manich River. The Moscow radio admits the Germans have forced the Don and are "moving ahead towards the last railway between South Russia and the rest of the country." The Germans also claim to have advanced eastward from Bataisk, which is ten miles south of Rostov, also from Olginskaya, which is 20 miles south-east of Bataisk. The Red Star states that German forces in the drive south of the Don are "many times superior," which suggests that Marshal Timoshenko is even yet withholding the bulk of his reserves. The paper adds that the Germans have forced a new crossing of the Don in the Tsy mlyanskaya area, where two bridgeheads were previously reported. The huge German concentration driving towards Stalingrad is reported to be slowing down after the heaviest losses and to be awaiting reinforcements. Enemy Pontoons Smashed The Times Moscow correspondent says the enemy is having the greatest difficulty in establishing pontoons across the Don. without which only infantry and light artillery are able to reach the south bank. Scores of pontoons have been smashed by Russian planes and artillery. The correspondent adds that Stormoviks wiped out a convoy which was being established for an attempted crossing. The Russians in another area found the Germans concentrating tanks and infantry on a river's bank in scrub, obviously for a night crossing. A Russian battalion took up a position unobserved, and when the pontoon bridge was crowded with men and machines swinging across the river searchlights were switched on, artillery opened up and automatic rifles raked the pontoons. No Germans readMtf the south bank. Loss of Rostov Vital The fall of Rostov will have repercussions of every kind throughout the Caucasus, for which Rostov served as an outlet to Russia. Rostov's position at the head of the railway to Baku, also commanding the Sea of Azov and Don navigation, make it a commercial pivot for a wide area. The importance of the loss cannot be exaggerated. The Germans are now massing for any advance into the Don Steppes, where large and highly productive State farms are busy with the harvest, which promises to be exceptionally bounteous. The grain losses are already great, but most of the Don corn is too green to be destroyed. The Don Basin produced more than 60 per cent of Soviet grain.