SMASHING FORWARD

Evening Star, Issue 24291, 4 September 1942, Page 3

SMASHING FORWARD

A MILLION GERMANS ENGAGED HASSES HURLED INTO BATTLE (Rec. 1 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 3. In Russia more than a million Germans are reported to be smashing their way forward on the Stalingrad -front. The Red Army is fighting the fiercest battle of the year against this terrific onslaught. South-west of Stalingrad General von jjock, after two hours of massed bombing and shelling of the Russian lines, Hung in 200 tanks and several divisions of infantry. The masses of German infantry went over the.top in waves while more fresh infantry was hurled into the melee. Every three hours a huge concentration of the Luftwaffe forms the spearhead of a German push. Reports from the front repeatedly refer to the Germans’ numerical strength. '.i he Germans’ overwhelming superiority ui the air is considered to be the most disturbing feature of the battle for r talingrad, the Russian air force, however, proving a tremendous power in delaying the German drive. Frequent uogtights yesterday resulted in 23 German planes being shot down, while Russian bombers attacked German reserves moving up to the battle and scattered large concentrations of infantry. The Russians have the initiative north-west of Stalingrad, and at Kletsh»y» they have beaten off several strong German counter-attacks. The Russians are employing guerrilla tactici with effect here, small groups sweeping through the German lines and harassing communications. ‘ Red Star ’ reports that the Russians recaptured au important point' < uutrolling the road from the Don to Stalingrad and situated on a branch :.dlway line. The Germans lost, three companies in this fight. Overwhelmingly superior enemy forces are attacking the Russians by land and sea north-west of Novorossisk. Although suffering heavy losses, the Germans continue to press on in the face of the stubborn Russian delaying actions. • However, reports admit that the Germans have achieved gains in an important sector where the Russians were withdrawn slightly. • Red Star ’ says the Germans concentrated so much weight here that ihe mounting scale of the battles inflicted terrible losses on both sides. NOVOROSSISK SURROUNDED. A Moscow message says that (Russian marines, fighting south-west of Krasnodar, routed the Fifth (Rumanian Cavalry iiivision and crushingly defeated the >.inth Cavalry Division sent to replace them. Bitter fighting continues. The Vichy News Agency declares that the Germans landed important forces in the Gelenclshik sector which Hulked up with the Germans and Rumanians advancing southwards of Krymskaya; Novorossisk is now practically surrounded. The Germans also landed near Mikhailovsk, about 12 miles south of Tuapse. The Germans east of Grozny oilfields advanced from th# Terek River towards Makhachkala and reached a point 47 miles from the Caspian Sea. The Germans have also isolated Krasnoarmetsk. the fall of which is expected shortly. Moscow reports heavy fighting going on in the Mosdok area, where the Germans fought hard for hours trying to cross the river. A group of tommy gunners got across, but the Russians wiped them out. Russian artillery also wiped out armoured units which attempted to force the crossing.