BIG BATTLE 35 MILES FROM STALINGRAD

Southland Times, Issue 24834, 28 August 1942, Page 5

BIG BATTLE 35 MILES FROM STALINGRAD

(United Press Association— Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, August 27. While the Russian offensive in the Moscow area is making progress, there is no slackening in the great battle for Stalingrad. Massive German forces are keeping up their pressure against Stalingrad and a big tank and air battle is raging 35 miles from the city. General Gregory Zhukov’s forces, which have launched a surprise offensive in the Moscow sector, are now reported to be fighting on the outskirts of Rjev. A special Moscow announcement says that among the 610 inhabited localities liberated by last Thursday were the towns of Zubzov, Karmanovo and Potoroonoye. According to incomplete figures Russian troops captured 2ao tanks, 750 guns, 567 mortars and much other booty, while 324 tanks were destroyed. In aerial combat 252 planes were shot down and 290 were destroyed on the ground. This Soviet break-through was organized by General Zhukov and General Koniev. In the Caucasus fighting is going on south of Krasnodar. The Germans, who are still 80 miles west of Grozny, are making every effort to reach this important oil-bearing centre. Russian planes last night raided targets in Eastern and Central Germany. The Germans say that only one plane reached Berlin, but neutral correspondents maintain that at least five bombers were over the city.