SOVIET REPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 July 1941, Page 5

SOVIET REPORT

CONTINUATION OF HEAVY FIGHTING SOME EFFECTIVE BLOWS STRUCK BY RUSSIANS. NAZI MOTORISED REGIMENTS SMASHED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) RUGBY. July 9. The following is the text of a Russian communique received here at noon: —“During the night of July 8, large scale fighting took place in the Polotsk, Lepel and Novograd-Volynsk sectors. In the Ostrov sector, our troops strengthened the positions occupied by them and carried out an intensified night reconnaissance. “Towards the end of July 8, fighting developed in the direction of Sebesh, where enemy tank and infantry units endeavoured to break through to the east. Fighting continues. “In the direction of Lepel, our troops delivered a blow at the enemy, smashing two motorised regiments and destroyed four heavy and light batteries, as well as considerable quantities of anti-tank weapons. Hundreds of bodies were left on the battlefield when the enemy withdrew. “In the direction of NovogradVolynsk, our troops continued to wage continuous stubborn battles against enemy tanks and motorised units, counteracting their advance to the east. “In other sectors there were no

large scale operations during the night. “Our Air Force delivered blows against mechanised units of the enemy in the Ostrov, Lepel and NovogradVolynsk sectors and against enemy aviation on his aerodrome. In night operations against eriemy aerodromes, and in air battles on the night of July 8, our Air Force destroyed 62 enemy planes in the Lepel, Borisov and Bobruisk sectors alone, losing seven of its own planes. According to verified data the Air Force destroyed 102 enemy planes on July 8, losing ten.”