MORE CRITICAL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20919, 20 October 1942, Page 5

MORE CRITICAL

RUSSIAN POSITION STALINGRAD FIGHT RELIEF' OF PRESSURE (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (3 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 18. The Germans have been forced to divert forces from their all-out attack on Stalingrad. The increasing pressure by Marshal Timoshenko’s northern relief army has compelled the Germans to switch part of thenarmies northward. t This is admitted by the Berlin radio, but all reports indicate that Stalingrad’s position is more critical than at any stage in the two months’ assault on the city. The Russians continue their tenacious defence, but the Germans clearly are determined to occupy the city before the winter cioses in, and they are launching ceaseless assaults with ever-renewed forces. It is generally agreed now that it will be another Russian “miracle” if the Germans are again thwarted. A Soviet communiaue reports that Russian, troops fought battles in the Stalingrad and Mosdok areas. There were no changes elsewhere. In the week ended on Saturday, the Germans lost 130 planes. The Russians lost 49 in the same period. A supplementary communique says that enemy tank and infantry attacks in the Stalingrad area were repelled by ground forces aided by the effective work of the Soviet air force. A German communique states that German troops in Stalingrad broke the stubborn resistance, captured all parts of the Red Barricade factory, and threw ’ the Russians out of the neighbouring district. The Berlin radio stated that the Russians are still desperately resisting in the remaining parts of the Red October factory. The German High Command claims that ■ the : Germans * continued their attacks in the Novorossisk and Tuapse sector, and at cne point captured 60 fortified positions. The Germans also advanced south of the Terek.