FIGHT FOR STALINGRAD

Evening Star, Issue 24289, 2 September 1942, Page 5

FIGHT FOR STALINGRAD

Russian Defence Still Holds Strong Axis Pressure In North-west Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright (Received noon.) LONDON, September 1. No material changes have taken place on the front, according to the morning Soviet communique. The Germans still appear to be held on the Stalingrad front, though they are continuing to attack strongly in one sector in the north" west. ‘ Pravda ’ reports that one Soviet guard unit, after repelling an attack, assumed the offensive and recaptured two localities. The Germans are reported to have suffered enormous casualties in men and material on this sector. On another sector of this front the Germans attacked with 64 tanks, nine of which were put out of action, the rest withdrawing. The most dangerous sector is that north-west of Kotelnikovo, where the Germans are exercising terrific pressure, and in one sector advanced. Very fierce fighting continues south of Krasnodar, whore the Germans are striking towards the Black Sea. One locality was reoccupied by Cossack cavalry. In the far south the Germans are held up on an unnamed river in the Mozdok area. Moscow says enemy ships are appearing in increasing numbers in the Sea of Azov and are being engaged by a Soviet flotilla. Fighting is still raging for the eastern shores. Marshal Timoshenko’s main force, after pushing back the Italians in the Kletskaya region, crossed by night to the west bank of the Don. The Russians recaptured five villages in the Kletskaya area. Field»Marshal von Bock is rushing troops from neighbouring sectors in an attempt to hold the Russians, but is reported to be failing. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says the Red Army started a counter-offensive in Prokjlatnaya region with the object of restoring the Russian positions. The Russians have broken into Prokhlatnaya itself and are steadily routing the enemv from everv house. The Russians are foigmg ahead step by step on the central front. German prisoners state that the German losses are tremendous. Ihirteen hundrcd were killed in one 'action alone. Hand-to-hand fighting often occurred in counter-attacks, of which all resulted in Russian successes. The Moscow radio stated that Russian planes on the Bryansk front attacked two German aerodromes on which about 60 German planes were concentrated. About 45 were destroyed. Pour Messerschmitt 118’s were shot down m combat. The German High Command claims that Kalach was eantured. A German communique states that a turtner advance was made towards Stalingrad. Germans and Rumanians south of the Lower Kuban overcame stubbom resistance and broke through along along the. eastoncomt of the Black Sea. The Rumanians took the town and harbour of Anapa.