ATTACKS LAUNCHED BY RUSSIANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 May 1942, Page 3

ATTACKS LAUNCHED BY RUSSIANS

Powerful Thrust Directed Against Kharkov HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES IN MEN & MATERIAL SOVIET TROOPS ALSO STRIKING NORTH & SOUTH OF LAKE ILMEN LONDON, May 14. Marshal Timoshenko’s forces are reported to have broken through the German first-line defences before Kharkov and to be now preparing to advance against the second line and the city as well. . The Moscow radio stated this afternoon that the attack on Kharkov was not a mere diversion intended to relieve enemy pressure in the Crimea. The Germans in the Kharkov area had been pushed back, for a considerable distance, leaving behind them great stores of war material. The enemy bad been unable to hold their defences and had suffered heavy casualties. German troops were now being moved up from other parts of the front. The “Red Star” says that great losses are being inflicted on the enemy in the Kerch Peninsula (in the Crimea) and that the Russians are in a position to retain the initiative. The Russians are reported to be attacking also north and south of Lake Ilmen. The German High Command admits attacks on German positions south-east of Leningrad.