Germans at Stalingrad

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 17 October 1942, Page 5

Germans at Stalingrad

HIGH COMMAND CONFIDENT OF VICTORY London, Oct. 16. After reorganising, the Germans have now launched an all-out offensive against Stalingrad, using every available man, gun, tank and plane, says a Wilhelmstrasse spokesman. The present fighting is heavier than anything hitherto. The High Command is convinced the city will now be conquered in one terrific push. Moscow radio says the Russians after an artillery preparation at one point north-west of Stalingrad, drove a wedge into German positions. Grenades killed 100 Germans and the remainder were forced to retreat.

In operations in both east and west Caucasus very large forces of tanks, infantry and planes are involved and new fighting areas are being opened up as each side brings in more effectives, says the Moscow correspondent of “The Times.” The Russians at Mosdok are mainly on the defensive. The German offensive, which lias been fitfully progressing for many weeks, was resumed, but the length of supply lines is preventing sustained action. A violent battle has been raging for a week for an inhabited locality on the road from the Kuban Plains to the Black Sea at Tuapse. The Germans are carrying out a large-scale offensive in these forested mountains and are clearly making an effort to break through to the coast and liquidate the position which for many weeks has hampered their plans. The Germans are also increasing pressure south-east of Novorossiisk.- P.A.