ON THE KHARKOV FRONT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 May 1942, Page 3

ON THE KHARKOV FRONT

Great Forces Locked in Grim Struggle HEAVY DESTRUCTION OF GERMAN TANKS RUSSIAN WITHDRAWAL IN GOOD ORDER FROM KERCH PENINSULA LONDON, May 24. Today’s main news from Russia is still about the great battle round Kharkov. In fighting- throughout the night the Soviet troops flung- back several German counter-attacks. An observer likens the opposing armies to two heavyweight boxers punishing each other in close infighting. On one sector of a thousand yards the Germans attacked with three columns each of fifty tanks and through the Russian front line. When the battle in this sector ended, over a hundred German tanks had been put out of action. . The Russians report that their troops have withdrawn in good order from the Kerch Peninsula, in the Crimea, taking al their equipment with them. The “Pravda” states that big guns are firing ceaselessly day and night on the Kharkov front and that a fierce infantry, tank and air battle is going on. Fighting is going on along a front of 125 miles. Thousands of tanks and planes are engaged and over a million men are at close grips within the loop ol the Donetz River. , . South-east of Kharkov, fighting is raging with increasing ferocity. The “Red Star” states that the Germans are attacking fiercely and that enemy reinforcements are being rushed up, to the front and flung from one sector to another in an attempt to smash through the Soviet defences. Russian resistance is being strengthened and counter-attacks are being launched. The Soviet Air Force has shattered enemy columns and German aircraft. In one raid alone 20 German planes were smashed up on the ground. North of Kharkov the Moscow radio reports a marked increase of activities. The Germans have launched a number of attacks, backed up by tanks. In one action every one of the attacking enemy tanks was burnt out and every member of the tank crews was killed. . , Fierce fighting is also reported m the Arctic, where, alter a three-day battle, four German battalions were pushed back.