24-HOUR HALT IMPOSED

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 21, 20 October 1942, Page 5

24-HOUR HALT IMPOSED

Vigorous Defence (Received October 19, 9.15 p.iu.) LONDON, October 18. The Moscow correspondent of “The Times” says that the Germans, after driving the narrow salient into northern Stalingrad, are now attempting to drive north and south from the salient parallel to the Volga. They made some progress In. the southern drive, where a critical situation developed till a Russian flank attack restored the situation. , ' .. Russian reports indicate that the situation has not deteriorated in the past 24 hours, but the Germans are clearly in a strong position and have the river crossings under mortar and artillery fire. The Russians have reinforced the Volga flotilla, even shabby old ferryboats and slow’ wood-burning craft having been mobilized. The Germans today threw a third infantry division into the gap which was gouged out on Friday by the capture of the workers’ settlement in the northern outskirts of Stalingrad, says the Moscow correspondent of the “Daily Express.” The Germans have made 28 attacks since Friday night, all of which have been repulsed, and the 29th is now in progress. The Germans claim to have reached the Volga bank in three places. This is untrue, but it must be recognized that they are not far from the river. Most notable of all the defending units is the Guards infantry division, commanded toy Major-General Rodimtsev. They crossed the Volga in- pontoons and- boats on September 27 and went straight into the battle. They have 'been fighting without pause for 21 days, 'but they went over to the offensive yesterday and forced the Germans to fall back in one sector. Floating Artillery. The Germans are perilously close to the Volga in northern Stalingrad, and they have the river bank under direct fire, endangering the Russian ferries, says the Moscow correspondent of the Columbia Broadcasting System. German guns are carrying out a duel with Russian field-guns mounted in steel barges which are towed by motorboats. These small ships swarm close to the shore in surprise night attacks. The Luftwaffe is again making mass raids on Stalingrad, relentlessly pounding the city in an attempt to pulverize the remaining defences. The Germans 'have been forced to divert forces from their all-out attack on Stalingrad. The increasing pressure by Marshal Timoshenko’s northern relief army has compelled the Germans to switch part of their armies northward. This is admitted by Berlin radio, but all reports indicate that Stalingrad s position is more critical than at any stage in the two months of assault on the city. Another “Miracle” Wanted. The Germans are clearly determined to occupy the city before the winter closes in, and they are launching ceaseless assaults with ever-renewed forces. It is generally agreed now that it will be another Russian “miracle” if the Germans are again thwarted. Altogether, in the first four days of the renewed battle for the city, the Russians have destroyed between 200 and 300 enemy tanks. The Soviet Guard battalions are fighting alongside Home Guard troops and factory workers. A Soviet communique reports: _ Our troops fought battles in the Stalingrad and Mosdok areas. There were no changes elsewhere. In the week ended October 17, the Germans lost 130 planes. We lost 49 in the same period.” A supplementary Soviet communique says.: “Enemy tank and infantry attacks in the StalingAd area were repelled by our ground forces, aided by effective worn by the Soviet Air Force.’’ A German communique states: ‘German troops in Stalingrad broke t J? w l u . stubborn resistance and captured all parts of the Red Barricade factory and threw the Russians out of the neighbouring district.” Berlin radio stated that the Russians are still desperately resisting in the remaining parts of the Red October The s German High Command claims tliat the Germans continued their attacks in the Novorossisk-Tuapse sector, and at one point captured 60 fortified positions. The Germans also advanced in one sector south of Terek.