GRAVE LOSS IN SOUTH

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 292, 8 September 1942, Page 5

GRAVE LOSS IN SOUTH

Naval Base Battle

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received September 7, 9.10 p.m.) LONDON, September 6.. A special German High Command communique issued tonight stated that Novorossisk was captured after several days of heavy fighting. London military writers state that the loss of Novorossisk is a heavy blow to the Red Fleet, because it was one of their main bases. When Marshal Timoshenko withdrew the bulk of his forces from the south for the defence of Stalingrad, he left only a small force, mainly Cossacks, who gallantly held out for weeks against overwhelming odds.«

The Moscow correspondent of "The Times” says the German force on the Black Sea is large, and its future movements need to be carefully watched. The 350-mile land front between the edge of the Black. Sea and the-Grozny oil fields is the scene of sporadic fighting along the foot of the Caucasus, where the Cossacks are conducting an active defence. The Russians report that 35 German tanks and a strong force of infantry have crossed a river in the Mosdok area, presumably the Terek. Fifteen of the tanks were destroyed, and a battle is raging on the south bank of the river. The Russians routed Rumanians south of Prokhladnaya and recaptured an important height. Caucasus Penetration.

According to the “Red Star,” the Germans have penetrated into the Caucasus Range. The enemy is not risking tanks, motor-vehicles, and motor-cycles, in the main mountain passes. They get their armour to the foothills, where defences are built, tanks being used as forts anid heavy artillery as fire points. German, Italian and Rumanian alpine troops are being used. They scatter over the mountain paths, seizing commanding heights. Behind them come heavily-laden horses with munitions and mountain guns. Behind the rocks of the Caucasus the Russians are fighting tb the death against the invader. A German communique says: "Bitter fighting is continuing in the Stalingrad area, qqd very strong Russian diversionary attacks in the northern sector of this area failed. The Taman Peninsula is in German hands. Moscow reports that bn the central front the Russians have recaptured several more villages in the Rzhev area, and the street fighting continues in the outskirts of the city. The Russians on the Bryansk front, south-west of Moscow, took two important hill positions, and they repulsed counter-attacks in the voronez area, to the south.

OBSCURE POSITION AT NOVOROSSISK Moscow Smashes Raid LONDON,. Sept. 7. A Moscow communique reports, no new German advance during last night on any sector 61‘ the Stalingrad front. The Germans have thrown in further reinforcements, and 1500 dive-bombers (and other planes are now concentrated against the city. The situation at Novorossisk is rather obscure. The latest Soviet communique does not confirm the claim that the base has fallen, but reports fighting in the Novorossisk area, and says that Soviet marines successfully held heights of strategic importance.

The Germans have resumed their vain attempts to bomb Moscow. Planes in three groups totalling 73 were turned back before reaching the city, and 11 were shot down.