VIOLENT FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 February 1942, Page 3

VIOLENT FIGHTING

RUSSIAN DRIVE CONTINUES Germans Being Hard-Pressed TERRIFIC ATTACKS NEAR KHARKOV ADMITTED BY ENEMY LONDON, February 5. There is more news of a big battle which has been raging for many days near an important town in the Kalinin sector. Violent fighting is now going on near the approaches to the town, which is still designated “B.” The Russians report having killed 600 Germans in fighting in this area and having captured much valuable material. The hard-pressed Germans are being supplied by air. One enemy transport plane has been captured. In one sector on the Kalinin front the Russians have occupied five towns and villages in one day’s fighting. Five thousand German officers and men have been killed. In the Valdai Hills area Russian artillery has been pounding the German position. In the past few days heavy losses have been inflicted on the enemy. In the Smolensk area, where the Russian drive continues, Soviet forces have liberated three more places in the past 24 hours. The Germans are making counter-claims in this sector, stating that they have pierced the Russian lines and recaptured 19 villages. A Berlin military spokesman admits that the Russians are launching terrific attacks north of Kharkov. The Russians are continuing to forge ahead westward toward Smolensk, and on all parts of the central front the Germans are being pushed back. The “Red Star’’ declares: “The Germans will not check us, no matter how desperately they cling to their defence lines. We have sufficient forces to bring about their defeat.’’ SOVIET COMMUNIQUE (British Official Wireless.) (lleceivi'd This Day, 9.45 a.m.) RUGBY, February 5. A Soviet communique states: “The Russian troops are continuing active operations against the enemy. “The three enemy transports, which a Soviet communique of February 2 announced had been sunk in the Barents Sea, now are stated to have totalled 14,200 tons, not 8,800 tons as orginally stated.’’