LULL BROKEN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20914, 14 October 1942, Page 3

LULL BROKEN

STALINGRAD DRIVE NEW AXIS' ATTACK TIME RUNNING OUT RUSSIANS PREPARED (By Tolegrapn—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 13. The three-day lull at Stalingrad was broken last night when German infantry and tank divisions returned to the attack. The Russians were not surprised, but were forced to give a little ground in one city area where thev knocked out 20 tanks. The Germans have only 10 days oi a fortnight to take Stalingrad before the weather makes full-scale operations impossible, says Reuter’s correspondent in Stockholm. Snow has fallen already on the northern and central fronts and in the Mosdok area, where the snowline is creeping quickly from the peaks to the valleys. There is a growing feeling, says the correspondent, that the chances oi saving Stalingrad were never better. A large number of infantry attacked Stalingrad this morning, says Reuter’s Moscow correspondent. These attacks were directed against the factory forces, in the north-western suburbs, where the Russians are holding on wth characteristic determination. Marshal Timoshenko’s army is battling north-west of Stalingrad: It has advanced further southwards and is now fighting not only in the steppes between the Volga and the Don. but also in the hills farther south, where it captured useful positions. It is attempting to drive the Germans from the hills dominating the roads and other lines of communication. Russians Hitting Back The Russians refuse to play Hitler’s game at Stalingrad. Instead of gratefully accepting the lull in the German ground attacks and resigning themselves to endure constant shelling and bombing, they are hitting back in many small sectors, bayoneting the Germans, from their houses i and forcing the tired enemy to maintain the most active defence. It is not yet clear whether the Germans are using the lull for building up a new striking force before Stalingrad or are diverting shock forces to the Caucasus. German reinforcements still coming up to Stalingrad may be defensive groups intended to replace the shock Hoops diverted elsewhere, but the Russians are not taking chances. They are constantly strengthening their defences and feeding men and materials into the city across the Volga. It is revealed that underground factories throughout the siege turned out munitions and repaired tanks and vehicles.

The Berlin radio claims that the Germans are maintaining the advance towards Tuapse along the road from Armavir and also claims that the bridgeheads on the Terek River have all been linked up. Berlin reports mention fighting in snow storms near the Black Sea coast, which emphasises Herr Hitler’s need for speed if he desires to force a passage of the Caucasian mountains before the winter in order to secure a jumping off ground for a Middle East drive in conjunction with a renewed offensive in Egypt.