PANZER AVALANCHE

Evening Star, Issue 24284, 27 August 1942, Page 5

PANZER AVALANCHE

POURING THROUGH RUSSIAN GAP

Puss Association--By Telegraph—Copyright

(Be. 1 p.m.) LONDON, August 26,

Massed German tanks are driving on towards Stalingrad. The very strong forces which crossed the Don under a big air umbrella succeeded in deploying and are advancing at surprising speed. ‘ Red Star ’ admits that the Germans after fierce ground fighting found a gap in the Russian lines and penetrated into the depth of the Russian defence, cutting the junction of two Russian units.

Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says the Russians are holding the German drive from the south-west. The Red Army at some places counter-attacked and forced back a number of German units. It is estimated in Moscow that a total of 750,000 men, including 25 armoured divisions, are driving on Stalingrad from the North-west, the west, and the south-west.' ' A German communique claims a fur ter -advance westward of Stalingrad, and says the Luftwaffe is attacking Stalingrad night and day. A Berlin message claims that the central railway station is aflame and that many buildings in the centre of the city have been destroyed \by bombs. The Vicky radio reports that the Germans captured Susinovsk, 35 miles south-west of Stalingrad. ‘ Red Star ’ reports that, despite huge losses, the Germans in the region of Prokhladnaya continue to advance and fierce battles are raging. The Russian Azov Sea fleet and marines are challenging Germans over a large part of the eastern shores of the Sea of Azov.

‘ Pravda ’ reports that guerrillas continue to gain successes in the Ukraine. One detachment dislodged the Germans .from 32 villages and killed 69 officers, including two generals; also about 930 of other ranks. Another detachment killed 890 Germans, _ and a third detachment killed 213 police and 1,300 troops. The guerrillas now control whole areas.