IN BATTLE FOR MOSCOW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 October 1941, Page 5

IN BATTLE FOR MOSCOW

Furious German Thrusts Stemmed POSITION IN SOUTH STILL VERY CRITICAL ENEMY FORCES CLOSE TO ROSTOV LONDON, October 27. There is better news from Moscow tonight. .After some days in which reports have spoken of the seriousness of the situation a Russian message states that all German advances towards Moscow have been halted. Russian troops have broken out of encirclement and rejoined the main army after twelve days’ fighting, with their artillery and equipment intact. On the 26th day of the batte, the Russians were still holding grimly to their main defence lines in spite of the mounting fury of the German attacks. A message from Kuibyshev states that the German thrusts are not only checked at all points, but that the Russians have counter-attacked and regained ground in some places. Mojaisk and Malo Yaroslavetz are still the main scenes of fighting west and southiwest of Moscow. The Germans may have made local advances in these sectors, but have nowhere broken through. Fierce battles continue at Kalinin, where no important change is reported. Accounts are given of the havoc Russian Stormovic divebombers have done to the enemy. ...In one onslaught they destroyed 17 lorries crammed with German troops and 30 tanks. In ten days in one sector alone Russian aircraft destroyed 275 tanks, 357 lorries laden with troops, 12 petrol lorries and a great deal of equipment. In spite of enormous losses of men and material, the Germans have smashed their way into positions very close to Rostov, but that city is still in Russian hands. The Germans claim that their advance continues in the Donetz basin and the Italians state that the upper reaches of the Donetz have been reached in some places. A Reuter correspondent reports heavy transfers of industrial plant from the evacuated areas to others well behind the Russian front. Great additions have been made in this way to the powerful plants working in the Urals. The first consignment for Russia by way of Iran has passed through that country. Britain’s immediate aim is to send Russia 3,000 tons of supplies per day over the roads and railways of Iran. It is denied that Russian troops have been withdrawn from Iran to the Caucasus. There is little news of the position at Kharkov. Fighting is known to be going on very close to the city and some of its use as an armed centre has been lost.