STOUT DEFENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1941, Page 5

STOUT DEFENCE

MAINTAINED BY RUSSIANS At Odessa and Leningrad ENEMY ATTACKS BROKEN AT GATEWAY TO CRIMEA BUDENNY'S RETIREMENT IN THE UKRAINE LONDON, September 26. At Odessa, according to a despatch to the “Isvestia,” the German and Rumanian forces attacking this Russian port suffered 50,000 casualties in killed, wounded and missing in the first fortnight of September. The stubborn defence of Odessa has made the enemy change his tactics. Instead of masses of troops being sent forward, attacks are now being made by smaller groups. The enemy has brought up considerable reinforcements in the past few days and an intense artillery and air bombardment is proceeding. intense fighting is continuing in the Kiev area against superior German forces. The Russians have made several counter-attacks on the front held by the Hungarian troops. The Germans now claim to have taken 574,000 Russian prisoners, which is a number greatly in excess of that which the Germans originally claimed to have surrounded. The defenders of Leningrad have beaten off attacks from three directions. As the result of counter-attacks, Leningrad defenders have moved forward their line at many points. Two Russian battleships have inflicted heavy losses on the Germans. Russian bombers and fighters have been busy in this area. In one day alone they destroyed 160 infantry lorries, 32 armoured cars and seven tanks. A Russian Press dispatch states that in the Crimea, where German attacks have been repelled, the situation is well in hand.