MORE HEADWAY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 31 August 1942, Page 2

MORE HEADWAY

RUSSIANS ON CENTRAL FRONT TERRIFIC BATTLES REPORTED GERMAN CLAIMS AT STALINGRAD (Rec. 1.5 p.m.) London, Aug. 30. The Russians continue to make headway on the central front. They had some local successes in the Caucasus and before Stalingrad. The Germans are doing their utmost to retain the water barriers in the Rjev area, rushing up tanks and Infantry reserves. Terrillc air battles developed.

“Pravda” says the Germans are fighting tooth and nail for every position in the Rjev area. A fierce battle

is raging west of Substov where the Russians occupied several new places. Russians on the northern and northeastern outskirts of Rjev dislodged Germans from more pillarboxes and are battling on for every house. Fighting is proceeding at the western approaches to Rjev in open country where Germans dug themselves in. but the Russians are continuing their methodical progress. Moscow this afternoon reported that despite fierce German resistance the Russians recaptured four settlements in the Frokhladnaya and Mosdok area in the Caucasus. Numerous German attacks were repulsed on other sectors of these fronts.

Russian coastal defences on Saturday smashed a German landing attempt on the Black Sea ooast. sinking ten transports with shells. Not a single vessel was able to anchor near the shore. The German attempt was launched from Kerch Peninsula. STALINGRAD SECTOR “Red Star” says the Russians northeastward of Stalingrad captured an important unnamed town. Red Army troops after a fierce battle drove the Germans from the heights governing vital roads at the rear of the town. Other units after frontal and flank assaults pushed the Germans into the | streets where the battle was carried on ! until enemy remnants were wiped out.

A German communique states that infantry and motorised units with strong air support broke through strongly fortfied position in the Stalingrad area and penetrated into the Russian defence system. ■—P.A.