NO SIGN OF FLAGGING

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 249, 22 October 1942, Page 2

NO SIGN OF FLAGGING

STALINGRAD ASSAULT RAIN S GROUND LUFTWAFFE. TROOPS FIGHTING ON TERMS.

P.A. Gable.

• LONDON, Oct. 21.

There is no sign of any flag in the German assault against Stalingrad. Despite the heavy losses of the past few days, the Germans are pouring in reinforcements and maintaining heavy pressure. Incessant rain continues to hamper air activity, but the tempo of the land battles is as fierce as ever. The rain has resulted in the grounding of the majority of the Luftwaffe on mud-swamped; aerodromss, and, the Germans, without their tremendous air umbrella, are compelled to meet the Russian Guards on equal terms. The fiercest fighting is occurring around a large factory in the north suburbs, against which two German divisions with 60 tanks started an attack on Monday. The enemy reaehed the very wall of the factory, and only hesitatsd when he feared a blow against his flank. The Russians, taking advantage of the lull, counter-attacked and drove the Germans back to their original positions. Fighting has swayed in this area ever since. The Red Star reports that the Russians were pressed back slightly in a narrow sector, where a serious breach threatened. The Germans penetrated to a strategic railway, but Russian reinforcements rushed in and are holding the drive. ^ A German communique reports that the Russians bstween the Volga and the Don have resumed relief attacks from the north with strong reinforcements of infantry and tanks. The communique says that the attacks collapsed with high losses. Another Berlin report says that Marshal Timoshenko's new relief thrust was launched with thrse divisions and over 100 tanks, against a front only a few miles wide.