FIERCE BATTLES IN SNOW

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 31, 31 October 1942, Page 7

FIERCE BATTLES IN SNOW

Wide New Axis Offensive Started In Caucasus

(Received October 30, 8 p.m.) LONDON, October 29. The Russians in the western Caucasushave launched a new series of counter-attacks to prevent further enemy penetration toward the Black Sea, and they recaptured an important height. Moscow radio says that in a snowstorm, which has been raging for several days in the Caucasus, hundreds of Germans have been frozen to death. Despite blizzards and heavy snowfalls which are causing deep drifts and avalanches, front-line dispatches to Moscow report a new flare-up along the whole Caucasus frout. The Germans are employing large contingents of alpine troops in a vigorous effort to smash the Russian defences before the winter deadlock sets in. The Germans at Nalchik, 50 miles south-west of Mosdok, are pressing a large-scale offensive, attacking heavily With troops, artillery, and planes, in an effort to penetrate the deep Russian defences. The Germans are using ski and sleigh detachments in fighting for snowbound mountain slopes and passes. Nalchik is a small town at the end of a branch railway on the north side of the Caucasus ridge. The country

round it is fairly smooth and cultivated. . Today’s German communique claims the capture of Nalchik, but this is not confirmed in Moscow. Today’s Soviet communique says: "In the area of Nalchik our troops conducted defensive operations. The enemy succeeded in one place in driving a wedge in our defences. Our troops routed the enemy, but the Germans’got reinforcements and our troops withdrew to'new positions after inflicting heavy losses.” “Vast Battle” in West. The communique also says that north-east of Tuapse an enemy attempt to advance along the main road was routed and 200 were killed. An unofficial report says that in this district men of the Red Army, equipped with skis and sleighs, repelled fierce attacks and captured a height. A vast battle continues cast of Novorossisk, where tlie Russians, after routing the Third Rumanian Alpine Division, are fighting a fresh Rumanian division and also Austrian and Hungarian troops. HELSINKI BOMBED LONDON, October 29. An official report from Helsinki says that Russian bombers raided Helsinki last evening, dropping land mines. Three persons were killed and nine injured.