STIFFENING ON THE APPROACHES TO MOSCOW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 October 1941, Page 5

STIFFENING ON THE APPROACHES TO MOSCOW

Three German Thrusts Stemmed SITUATION REMAINS VERY GRAVE ENEMY CLAIMS IN UKRAINE MODIFIED LONDON, October 12. The Russians say that in the battle for Moscow the three main German thrusts have been brought to a halt. Russian resistance to the great German onslaught appears ; to be stiffening and well-equipped Russian reserves are reported to be pouring into the battle area. The three main German thrusts towards the capital are at Viazma to the west, Bryansk to the south-west and Orel to the south. The fighting is particularly fierce around Viazma, where the Germans are making ferocious attempts to capture the road to Moscow. . The Russians claim a local victory near Viazma, where the Germans were driven back several miles to the west. The Russians are reported to have killed 4,000 men and destroyed 80 tanks. The Germans say that Viazma and Bryansk are now behind the front, but they do not claim that these two battles have been won. They still refer to counter-attack in this area. The “Red Star’’ says the Germans launched a mass attack just west of Orel and were repulsed three times. In one fight 34 German tanks out of 60 were crippled. The Germans are massing reinforcements in this sector. The official Russian news agency states that the situation here remains grave. In the Ukraine, on the northern shore of the Sea of Azov, the Germans claim further victories but mention no place names. They have apparently reconsidered yesterday’s claim that Russian troops this area had been wiped out and speak now of three pockets of Russian troops remaining. It is pointed out in London that in spite of local Russian successes, the situation on the whole front remains grave. The threat of the German wedges towards Moscow cannot be minimised.