SLACKENING SEEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 November 1941, Page 6

SLACKENING SEEN

GERMAN DRIVE ON MOSCOW SOME DETAILS OF ENEMY LOSSES. SAVAGE ATTACKS ON TULA. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, November 2. Asserting that the .German drive against Moscow, is slackening, the s “Izvestia” says: “For a third day there has been a comparative lull. The enemy at one point launched an offensive but was badly mauled. In a battle, extending over six days, a German 'infantry division lost heavily. The division twice received reinforcements yet several battalions have only a hundred men left. JTwo infantry regiments lost eighty per cent of their effectives.” The “Izvestia” adds that in view of their serious losses and increasing difficulties, the morale of the German. Army is falling off. The Moscow radio claims that the German offensive at Volokolamsk has been brought to a standstill and that the Russians have consolidated strategically favourable positions. The “Red Star’s” correspondent at Tula says terrific fighting is still going on. The Germans have concentrated large forces and are staking everything cn an attempt to force a way through. The onslaught shows no signs of weakening, despite enormous losses. After attacks throughout the day, which the Russians repulsed, the Germans attacked at night, threatening the flanks and

forcing the Russians to retreat to new positions. Fighting was resumed early this morning. The main attacks were beaten back, but thirteen German tanks broke through to the Tula Road. Factory workers rushed out from the town and destroyed the tanks with anti-tank rifles.