Further Nazi Gains at Stalingrad

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 20 October 1942, Page 5

Further Nazi Gains at Stalingrad

RELENTLESS POUNDING OF THE CITY London, Oct. 18. The Germans are perilously close to the Volga in northern Stalingrad. They have the Volga bank under direct fire, endangering Russian ferries, says the Moscow correspondent of the Columbia Broadcasting system. German guns are carrying out a duel with Russian field-guns mounted in steel barges which are towed by motor-boats. These small ships swarm close to the shore in surprise night attacks. The Russians call them “river tanks.” The L.uftwaffe is again making mass raids on Stalingrad. '1 he Germans are relentlessly pounding the city in an attempt to pulverise the remaining defences. The Germans to-day threw a third infantry division into the gap gouged on Friday by the capture of the workers’ settlement on the northern outskirts of Stalingrad, says the Moscow correspondent of the “Daily Express.” T he Germans have made 28 attacks since Friday night, all of which were repulsed. The 29th is now in progress. The Germans claim to have reached the Volga bank in three places. T his is untrue but it must be recognised they are not far from the river.

Most notable of all the defending units is the Guards Infantry Division, commanded by Major-General Rodimtsev. They crossed the Volga in pontoons and boats on 27th September and went straight into battle. They have been fighting without a pause for 21 days. They went over to the offensive on Saturday, held a new German thrust and forced the Germans to fall back in one sector. The Moscow correspondent of “The Times” says the Germans, after driving a narrow salient into northern Stalingrad, are now attempting to drive north and south from the salient parallel to the Volga. They were making some progress in the southern drive, where a critical situation developed until a Russian flank attack restored the situation. Russian reports indicate that the situation has not deteriorated in the past 24 hours, but the Germans are clearly in a strong position and have river crossings under mortar and artillery fire. The Russians have reinforced the Volga flotilla and even shabby old ferry-boats and slow wood-burn-ing craft are mobilised. ESTIMATE OF ENEMY LOSSES German losses at Stalingrad and the Caucasus include at least 12 divisions smashed, besides thousands of tanks and planes. according to a Moscow message.—P.A. and 8.0. W.

BLOCK OCCUPIED BY ENEMY

HUGE LOSSES INCURRED (Rec. 9.45 a.m.) Rugby, Oct. 19. Soviet headquarters states: “In the area of Stalingrad fierce fighting continued. On one sector enemy infantry and tanks attacked our positions and at the price of huge losses occupied one block. Several hundred enemy were killed and 18 German tanks destroyed Our pilots shot down nine aircraft and anti-aircraft batteries shot down five. North-west of Stalingrad our troops waged fighting of local importance. Artillery dispersed enemy infantry prer»nrino tn nttarW On snnthpr nflrt of

the same front three attacks were repulsed. “In the area of Mosdok enemy attacks were repulsed. Soviet marines made a landing behind enemy lines on the Black Sea. inflicting losses and returned safely.”—B.O.W.