REINFORCEMENTS FOR RUSSIANS

Southland Times, Issue 24883, 24 October 1942, Page 5

REINFORCEMENTS FOR RUSSIANS

TROOPS CROSS VOLGA (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 22. It is reported that strong reinforcements have joined Stalingrad’s defenders. They crossed the Volga despite ceaseless German artillery fire and air attacks. The arrival of these reinforcements supports suggestions that the latest all-out German attack on the city is petering out. The Moscow correspondent of The Times says that while it has been suggested that the enemy’s efforts against Stalingrad are weakening, nevertheless his last week’s gains are highly significant tactically and it can be assumed that violent fighting will continue, perhaps on comparatively narrow sectors, until a decision is reached. The Russian defenders are often in danger of encirclement because the Germans are able to attack them in the rear as well as against the flank, but the Red Army forces remain intact and connected. A series of sharp, separate battles for the heights is going on to the north-west of Stalingrad which, although described as of local significance, are involving many men and taking a toll of 100 , enemy daily.

It can be said with confidence that the new and tremendous German assault started against Stalingrad on Oc-

tober 14 and designed to cut through the Soviet positions and reach the Volga has failed, says a Moscow message. Considerable territorial gains were made by the Germans in the early stages but, after the first two days, the spearhead ■ was blunted and in the last three days the Germans have made no new progress. LOSSES OF TANKS This description of German tactics is given in a Moscow message: “After weeks of heavy tank losses caused by Russian artillery and antitank rifles the Germans have sharply reduced the scale of their tank operations. German tanks take up initial positions three or four miles from the front lines with guards on the look-out for the tank hunters with their armourpiercing bullets. The Germans simulate mass tank attacks to draw the Soviet artillery fire and then withdraw the main body of the tanks and throw in infantry. “On one sector the tanks attacked Soviet positions and turned back in the face of heavy fire. After a short interval the real assault was made by motorized infantry supported by only five tanks. This was repulsed with heavy losses.

“Soviet infantry with armour-piercing two-man rifles not only meet the German tank attacks with volleys from the trenches, but go out hunting tanks light trucks. One sergeant crippled six tanks in four hours. Infantry attack German tanks eve* with ordinary rif ”