DEFENDERS OF STALINGRAD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 3 September 1942, Page 2

DEFENDERS OF STALINGRAD

GERMAN RESERVES THROWN IN SAVAGE BATTLES IN THE CAUCASUS (Rcc. 11.40 a.in.) London, Sept. 2. The position before Stalingrad has further deteriorated. The Moscow correspondent of the British United Press says -he Russians have withdrawn to a new line in the south-western approaches to the city making a fourth withdrawal in 48 hours. The Germans have drawn in reserve troops and tanks from other points for a north-western drive.

Stukas are pounding Russian positions and both sides are suffering heavily in day and night battles. The Russians are firmly holding a bridgehead on the west bank of the Don near Kletskaya and have taken sixty large villages.

“Izvestia” says the Russians at Kletskaya are widening the area of reconquered territory on the western bank of the Don. German reinforcements were rushed up and thrown in immediately, but counter-attacks failed.

Savage battles are being fought out on mountain passes in the west Caucasus, where the Germans are flinging in cx-ack alpine units to burst through to Novorossiisk.

According to Vichy radio the Luftwaffe is incessantly bombing Novorossiisk.

Moscow radio declares that the Germans are continuing their efforts to pierce the Russian lines south of Krasnodar in an attempt to reach the Black Sea but are held in practically every sector and suffered tremendous losses. Guerrillas on the Briansk front killed Genei’al Guderian’s right-hand man. Staff-Colonel Botorff. —8.0. W.

A Russian communique states: — “Soviet troops launched several flank attacks against the enemy north-west-ward of Stalingrad. South-westward of the city fierce fighting is proceeding against German tanks and motorised infantry, which broke through. There is also fierce fighting in the Novorossiisk region.—8.0. W.