STUBBORN SOVIET EFFORTS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 264, 6 August 1942, Page 5

STUBBORN SOVIET EFFORTS

Stemming Of Flood ' LONDON, August 4. According to “Red Star,” the Russians have checked the Germans in nearly all sectors of the southern front except at Salsk. The resistance of the Don and Kuban Cossacks is particularly strong and successful in beating back the German tank and infantry attacks in most of the north Caucasus sectors. The famous horsemen dash across the steppes with sabres drawn, boldly outflank the German armoured units and charge the supporting infantry. Others tackle the tanks direct with anti-tank rifles. These tactics are repeatedly stopping dangerous panzer thrusts. Rumanian cavalry has been thrown into the Kushchevska area in an attempt to deal with the Cossacks. The Russians yesterday repulsed many attacks, and villages changed bands several times. The Germans made no significant progress. The Russians in the Salsk area are waging stubborn defensive battles. Tonight’s Russian communique states: “During August 4 our troops fought fierce engagements in the areas of Eletskaya, Zymlyanskaya, Belaya Glina, and Kushchevskaya. There were no material changes in other sectors. Belaya Glina is on the Stalingrad-Kras-nodar railway, 100 miles from Rostov. Au earlier communique reported bloody battles in the Kuschevka area where the Germans several times attempted to force the river, but were beaten back with heavy losses. lhe Russians in the Salsk area were forced to fall back to new positions after repelling fierce attacks. Stavropol Claimed. A German communique claims that east of the Sea of’ Azov a German div isiou has broken the resistance of the Russian rearguards and that a mobile army and storm troop units, in a daring advance, reached the Kuban River at several points. The Germans also captured the industrial town of Voroshilovsk (Stavropol) after stiff street lighting. The Germans and Rumanians, between the Sal and Don, are advancing further eastward with undiminished vigour, it is claimed. Vichy radio says a German motorised unit intercepted lorries evacuating equipment from Krasnodar electric power station to the east. Vichy radio declared that the main German forces south of Rostov are now 30 miles from the middle reaches of the Kuban River. The Germans driving south-west from Rostov have not materially progressed for some days and are engaged in mopping up powerful Russian centres of resistance between the Rostov railway and the Sea of Azov. „ _ Success in Don Bend. The Russians in the Eletskaya sector have driven back the Germans at a number of points and recaptured tactically important positions. Russian units swept in behind the enemy and destroyed detachments protecting Axis supply lines and cut roads to the south and 'south-west, which the Germans were using to bring up reinforcements and supplies. The situation at the approaches of one of the most important Russian bridgeheads on the Don elbow remains tense. The Germans are attacking from several sides and using large tank and infantry forces and many planes. One large German tank force here is immobilized and is encircled.' Russian bombers are pounding the encircled troops and attacking tbe approaches to the area to prevent the arrival of reinforcements and supplies.