FAILED AGAIN

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 250, 23 October 1942, Page 2

FAILED AGAIN

GERMANS AT STALINGRAD

SLACKENING OF ATTACK. IMPORTANT TACTICAL GAINS.

P.A. Gable.

LONDON, Oct, 22.

It ean be said with confidenee that fch© new and tremendeus German assault that was started against Stalingrad on October 14 and was designed to cut thrdugh the Soviet pcsiticns and reach the Vclga has failed, says a Mosccw message. Considerable territcrial gains were made by the Germans in the early stages, but after the first two days the spearhead was blunted and in the last three days the Germans havet made no new progress. Berlin radio reports that strong reinforcements have jcined Stalingrad's defenders. They crossed the Volga despite ceaseless German artiilery fire and air attacks. The arrival cf these reinforcements supports suggestions that the latest all- out German attack on the city is petering out. The Times's Moscow correspondent says that while it has been suggested that the enemy's efforts at Stalingrad are weakening, nevertheless his last week's gains are highly significant tactically and it can be assumed that violent fighting will continue, perhaps on eomparatively narrow sectors, until a decision is reached. The Russian defenders are often in danger of encirclement because the Germans are able to attack them frontally as well as against the flank, but the Red Army forces remain intact and connected. A series of sharp separate battles for heights is going on to the northwest of Stalingrad which, although. described as of local significance, are inyclving many men and taking a toll of hundreds of the enemy daily. To-night's official Soviet reports say that enemy tank and infantry attacks in the Stalingrad area have been repeiled. In one factory area engagements frequently developed into hand-to-hand flghting. In the course of these engagements 13 German tanks were destroyed and an infantry battalion annihilated. "North-west of Stalingrad our troops by daring attacks penetrated enemy positions and after stubborn fighting occupied two lines of trenches. The enemy left over 200 dead. We captured booty. In another sector of the same front fighting continued in the area of one height. The enemy made several unsuccessful counter-attacks in an attempt to retake the positions lost two days ago. "Our" troops' in the Mosdok area waged defensive operations. In one sector the enemy launched an attack by one infantry regirnent supported by a large number of tanks. Our men destroyed seven tanks and eight guns and wiped out one enemy infantry battalion. Only at one place did the enemy succeed in driving a wedge into the first line of our defences. The Russians are now trying to wipe out this group." For the first time the German High Command communique tonight refers to defensive fighting having taken plaee yesterday to the north of Stalingrad.