FIERCE AXIS DRIVE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20917, 17 October 1942, Page 3

FIERCE AXIS DRIVE

all-out”attack AIR CONCENTRATION SCANT PROGRESS MADE (By Tslegrapn—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 16. After reorganising, the Germans have now launched an all-out attack against Stalingrad, using every available man. gun, tank, and plane, says a Wilhelmstrasse spokesman. The present fishtine is heavier than anything hitherto. The High Command is convinced that the city can now be conauered with one terrific push. The latest German assault on Stalingrad opened with an intensive bombing of the Soviet positions, recording to a Moscow message. On the north side of the city from the front line back to the Volga crossings the Germans had made 1500 individual flights by 5 p.m. on Wednesday in a sector just over a mile wide and a few miles deep. The enemy flew in waves of 30 or 40 planes without cessation and so low that the defending ground forces alone shot down 16.

Concentrations of tanks also advanced into the same deep and narrow sector with new tanks ever taking the places of those wrecked or burned. After 39 enemy tanks had been knocked .out the Russians counter-attacked with their own tanks. The enemy’s numerical advantage in armour and man-power, however, along with overwhelming air superiority, enabled them to advance in a l umber of sectors. “Decisive Battle”

The significance attached to the present situation is indicated by the Red' Star, which says: “This is a decisive battle for Stalingrad. We must hold .the city at any cost. There must be more stamina, stubbornness, and skill of manoeuvre, and we shall repel the new fierce enemy attacks. The Germans are launching desperate assaults in their efforts to capture Stslingrad. The proximity of winter is driving them on. The German High Command is replenishing divisions incessantly and hurling reinforcements into the battle straight from the march.” In the Soviet offensive north-west of Stalingrad, the Red Army captured several trench lines and some prisoners. German counter-attacks were ineffective.

The Moscow radio says that the Russans. after an artillery preparation at one point north-west of Stalingrad. drove a wedge into the German positions. Grenades killed 100 Germans and the remainder were forced to retreat.

The Daily Express’ correspondent in Stockholm says that General Antonescu is expected to visit Herr Hitler’s headquarters at the end' of the month, when the Fuehrer will appoint him comman ler-in-chief of one section of the southern front. Forty Rumanian divisions totalling 750,000 men are fighting in Russia.