ROSTOV VICTORY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 December 1941, Page 6

ROSTOV VICTORY

GREATEST' YET WON BY SOVIET In War Against Germany ENEMY FLANKING ATTACK THROWN BACK e " T 1 BEGINNING OF GREATER THINGS TO COME (By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received This Dav, 11.45 a.in.) LONDON, November 30. The Russians’ success in the Rostov area constitutes the Soviet’s greatest victory thus far in the war against Germany. The Red Army has consolidated its pcsition by throwing back the German forces which tried a ’ flanking counter-offensive from the central Don basin. Von Kleist’s defeat is of great importance at present, as it has considerably reduced the threat to the north of the Caucasus.

The “Izvestia,’’ commenting on the capture of Rostov, says: “This is only a beginning. The correlation of forces is changing all the time. It is a long process, which cannot come to a head in a few days, but the time will come when the whole Red Army will pass from the defensive to the offensive. Everywhere —near Moscow, Leningrad, Tula and Rostov—the struggle is entering on a new phase. A foundation for the rout of Hitler’s Army is being laid. However, while the Soviet armies are trying to seize the initiative in some sectors of the front, the Nazi offensive continues. It is a stubborn, fierce and desperate offensive. The enemy has at his disposal a mighty war machine, which is already showing,signs of uneven working, but is still advancing. The situation remains serious.” * The “Izvestia.” reports that successful Russian counterattacks are continuing in the region of the Donetz basin. The Russian troops are smiting the retreating enemy, inflicting heavy losses and preventing the Germans gaining a strong foothold on new defence lines. Twenty villages have been freed from Fascist occupation. The Russians in one day killed or wounded 4,000 German officers and men.