MUCH SLOWED DOWN

Evening Star, Issue 24281, 24 August 1942, Page 3

MUCH SLOWED DOWN

Steppe Brush Fires Create Memo

Russians Holding The Enemy

(British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

(Eec. noon.) EUGBY, August 23.

Although the German attacks in the Stalingrad sector have been intensified from the south-west, it is thought in London that the Russians are still holding the enemy. In the Don Bend, where violent fighting is reported, the Germans, despite every effort, have not increased their foothold on the east bank. There has been a further advance towards Novorossisk, but, generally speaking, the advance everywhere in the Caucasus has been very much slowed down.

Describing the fighting north-east of Kotelnikovo, a Moscow message says the weather is very hot, rivulets and lakes have dried up, and drinking water is precious. The bursting shells and the heat ard firing the steppe brush, allowing the Germans to strike behind a screen of fire and smoke, braving all hazards, and using water only to revive those who collapse. The Russians are repulsing attack after attack.

' 4 Pravda,’ also describing these battles, says that only the red sun reminded the troops that it was daytime. The Red Army suffered tortures, but firmly held the line. Tongues of flame began to lick the trenches, and behind the screen of smoke and fire surged the enemy tanks and tommy gunners. On orders from their commanders, the Red Army men rose from the bottom of their trenches and fired, the steppe being strewn with German corpses.

■ Investia ’ says the Germans are holding a* narrow line on the east bank of the Don, south-east of Kletskaya, but Soviet counter-attacks are preventing the enemy from widening the line. Baby tanks brought by the Germans to the east bank were destroyed, and fighting is raging along the west bank as the Germans try to find a weak spot in the defences. The enemy is hurling masses of tanks and planes into the battle on this narrow sector. Successful Soviet actions in the Caucasian mountain passes prevented an enemy drive in the other sectors.

In an unnamed vital settlement, persistent attacks made by the Germans against the Soviet forces defending a valley led to penetration of the entire Soviet The Germans turned and struck from the rear. The Russians then gave battle and stopped the enemy everywhere, but were forced to abandon the valley. Fierce fighting continues.