GENERAL OFFENSIVE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 37, 7 November 1942, Page 7

GENERAL OFFENSIVE

Stalingrad’s Position Very Tense

CITY IN GREAT DANGER

(Received November 6, 10 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 5. The position at Stalingrad remains very tense. The Moscow correspondent of “The Times" states though the city is in great danger and a crack in any sector would imperil the whole position, the larger part of the city remains in Russian hands. He adds that the German attacks on Stalingrad, which have increased since the beginning of the week, had swollen yesterday to a general offensive. The enemy is straining every nerve to force a decision Ibut failed to gain ground. The whole enemy force of shock troops, riflemen and tanks, surging across the manoeuvring ground between the two armies or thrusting along the streets was yesterday, as on previous days this week, hurled back decisively. The fiercest attacks yesterday were directed against factories and gaps. The battle is described as very bloody and raged for several hours.

In another part of the city the Gerimans had launched an attack under cover of emoke mines but failed to make headway. Though the Russians still regard the situation in the central Caucasus as alarming there are no territorial changes. Vladikavkaz remains in Russian hands though the Germans are approaching it and the Luftwaffe is trying the usual smashing methode. Vladikavkaz is the most important, stronghold after Nalchik on the German right flank. The position of the Russians in the Tuapse area has improved. Moscow tonight states that Soviet troops have captured height after height north-east of the town, where German counter-attacks were repulsed.

Stalingrad and north-east of Tuapse and the south-east of Nalchik, are the two chief 'battle areas mentioned in tonight’s Soviet communique, which mentions that in the Stalingrad area the enemy brought up reserves but attacks were all repelled. South-east of Nalchik our troops engaged large enemy forces. North-east of Tuapse our troops continued to conduct active operations and on some sectors forged ahead.

Front line dispatches to Moscow say that the Germans at Stalingrad, despite the fiercest aerial protection and the use of smoke-screens, have not gained a single success in the past 24 hours, but were forced to abandon- a number of strong points. Dispatches mention “growing Russian activity and manoeuvrability.” Features of the fighting north-west of Stalingrad yesterday were successful reconnaissance and artillery fire by the Russians. South-east of Nalchik there was hard defensive fighting, and artillery was able to disperse a concentration of enemy forces preparing to attack. In the Mozdok area an enemy attempt to develop an attack was foiled.

Continuous enemy attacks are still being launched on the northern factory area, though not on the very heavy scale of the past few days. A correspondent says that yesterday the German attacks on Stalingrad were [made on a wide front, but were not carried out with their major forces. All the attacks were repulsed by the Russian defenders and the enemy lost another 1000 men without making any progress. Another M6scow message says, however, that the Germans are continuing to bring up new forces which are being prepared for further attacks.