STALINGRAD BATTLE

Evening Star, Issue 24330, 20 October 1942, Page 3

STALINGRAD BATTLE

ENEMY ASSAULT MAINTAINED

SMALL ADVANCE AT GREAT COST

(British Official Wireless.)

giec, 10 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 19 Soviet headquarters states that in the Stalingrad area fierce fighting con(fcinnes. In one sector enemy infantry and tanks attacked our positions, and at the price of huge losses occupied one block. Several hundred enemy were killed and 18 German tanks destroyed. Our pilots shot down nine aircraft, and A.A. batteries shot down five. North-west of Stalingrad our troops were engaged in fighting of local importance. Artillery dispersed enemy infantry preparing to attack. In another part of the same front three attacks were repulsed. In the Mosdok area enemy attacks were repulsed. Soviet marines made a landing behind the enemy lines on the Black Sea, inflicted losses, and returned safely. Tie Moscow correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ states that the Russian operations north-west of Stalingrad are still of local character. The German defences are strong and deep. Small groups of Russians, gnawing their way forward each day, bring slight but significant successes.

A Stockholm report states that the German offensive continues in the Leningrad area, with heavy losses, notably of Italian-built planes piloted by Finns.