GERMAN ASSAULT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 22 October 1942, Page 2

GERMAN ASSAULT

NO SIGN OF WEAKENING STALINGRAD FACTORY AREA RAIN HAMPERS AIR ACTIVITY (Rec. 12.45 p.m.) London, Oct. 21. Thfere is no sign of any flag in the German assault against Stalingrad. Despite heavy losses of the past few days the Germans are pouring in reinforcements and maintainingheavy pressure. Incessant rain continues to hamper air activity, but the tempo of the land battles is as fierce as ever. Rain resulted in grounding the majority of the Luftwaffe on mud-swamp-ed aerodromes and the Germans without their tremendous air umbrella are compelled to meet the Russian Guards on equal terms. Fiercest fighting is occurring around a large factory in the north suburbs against which two German divisions and 60 tanks on Monday started to attack. The enemy reached the very walls of the factory and only hesitated when it feared a blow against its flank. The Russians, taking advantage of the lull, counter-attacked and drove the Germans back to their original positions. Fighting has swayed in this area. Early reports stated that the Russians were pressed back slightly on a narrow sector where a serious breach was threatened, and the Germans penetrated to a strategic railway, but Russian reinforcements were rushed in and are holding the drive. A German communique reports that the Russians between the Volga and the Don resumed relief attacks from the north with strong reinforcements of infantry and tanks. The communique says the attacks collapsed with high losses. Another Berlin report says Marshal Timoshenko's new relief thrust was launched with three divisions and over 100 tanks against a front only a few miles wide.—P.A.