STALINGRAD FIGHTING

Southland Times, Issue 24872, 12 October 1942, Page 5

STALINGRAD FIGHTING

NAZIS ACHIEVE MINOR SUCCESS (Rec. 10.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct 10. Crack Russian shock troops in a powerful attack dislodged the Germans from an operational base south of Stalingrad, says the Moscow radio. Taking advantage of a moment when the Germans and Rumanians were exhausted after several days of ceaseless attacks, the Russians advanced boldly and captured the base after bitter hand-to-hand fighting. The Russians attacking the German left flank north-west of Stalingrad captured another important height. The Russian newspaper Izvestia says the Germans have concentrated several fresh infantry divisions and tank divisions against north-western Stalingrad. More than eight attacks in the last four days achieved only Ininor success. The Germans in one sector of the Stalingrad front penetrated the defences and captured another important height. Izvestia says the Germans concentrated several fresh infantry divisions and tank divisions against north-west-ern Stalingrad. More than 80 attacks in the last four days achieved only minor success. The Germans in one

sector at Stalingrad penetrated the defences and captured streets., but were finally pushed back after losing a company of infantry and nine tanks. More than 100 truck-loads of supplies, as well as troops, are ferried nightly across the Volga to Stalingrad. German batteries constantly shell the ferries, but the boats keep crossing regardless of the risks. The crossing takes half an hour. SOVIET COUNTER-ATTACKS Moscow radio reports that the Russians south-east of Novorossisk, supported by artillery and bombers, are making determined counter-attacks. A Finnish communique states that the Russians are violently attacking on the Karelian Isthmus. The Vichy News Agency announced that a contingent of the French Volunteer Legion to fight against Bolshevism left for the Eastern Front. A special Russian communique refutes a statement by the German High Command a few days ago that German troops had surrounded and annihilated south of Lake Ladoga seven Soviet divisions, capturing 12,370 troops and much material. “This statemerit,” says the communique, “is an absolute lie. Neither south of Lake Ladoga nor in any other place have the Germans surrounded a Soviet division or even a Soviet regiment. On the other hand, 60,000 Germans .have been killed, wounded or captured south of Lake Ladoga. The aim of these offensive operations was to divert German forces from Stalingrad and this purpose has been achieved, while the Russians captured a number of key defence points which are now firmly held. The Russian, losses in killed, wounded and missing were 21,384.” RUSSIAN POSITION IMPROVED A Soviet communique states that at Stalingrad' Soviet troops, in. repelling enemy counter-attacks, are improving their positions and are smashing the enemy defence. In one sector an enemy attack was repelled and more than 200 Germans were killed. An hour later the Germans again attacked, supported by tanks and planes. Soviet artillery crippled five German tanks, de-

stroyed five heavy machine-guns and wiped out 400 of the enemy. On another sector 40 German automatic riflemen approached a position with a white flag. Soviet troops stopped firing, but when foe Germans approached the position they opened fire with foeir automatic rifles. All 40 automatic riflemen were killed. The Germans are still straining every effort to try to stem the Soviet advance north-west of Stalingrad and are bringing up. panzer forces and infantry divisions, in massed attacks. Their divebombers are also intensely active and one Russian unit claimed 21 planes destroyed in 14 days. The fighting is particularly fierce for a large building commanding several city blocks. After changing hands three times the bui’ding is now firmly in Soviet hands. Latest reports from the Mozdok front state that the German Viking SS Division and other reinforcements, supported by 100 tanks, made an at J tack earlier in the week and suffered heavy casualties, including 1000 killed.