WEDGE IN CAUCASUS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 33, 3 November 1942, Page 5

WEDGE IN CAUCASUS

Deepened By Germans In Heavy Fighting (Received November 2, 7 p.m.) LONDON, November 1. “In the area of Nalchik our troops carried out heavy defence operations, but in one sector the enemy drove a wedge into our positions.’’ says tonight’s Russian communique, reporting on the Caucasus front. “North-east of Tuapse our troops dislodged the enemy from one important height.’’ The situation at Nalchik is tense, says the “Red Star.” The Germans are speedily bringing up reinforcements. The Russians yesterday fell back in two sectors. One withdrawal followed a battle against superior forces consisting of 6000 infantrymen, supported by 40 tanks and also planes. The other withdrawal followed an encirclement, from which the Russians broke out. Savage battles continue further west with the Russians pressing forward north-east of Tuapse, despite stiff resistance everywhere. The Russians are repelling all attacks east of Novorossisk. A German communique claims a considerable advance west of Terek. • Soviet headquarters reports that east of Novorossisk an enemy company, disguised in Red Army uniforms, tried to penetrate the Russian positions, but were mostly destroyed. On the north-western front two enemy regiments attacked, and some Germans, at great cost, succeeded in driving wedges into the Russian positions, but later they were mopped up ami 300 were killed.