GERMAN EFFORT IN KHARKOV BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1942, Page 3

GERMAN EFFORT IN KHARKOV BATTLE

Russians Consolidating Ground Won FIGHTING ENTERS ON POSITIONAL STAGE CONFLICT IN THE KALININ AREA LONDON, May 31. The German attack in the, Isyum sector is growing weaker. The “Red Star” says the fighting has now entered on a positional stage. The Russians are consolidating and fortifying points captured during the heavy fighting of the past few days. The Germans are still striving vainly for a river crossing in this area, A big part was played in the battle by the mortars used by the Soviet troops. The Russians waited until about 2,000 Germans were on the banks of the river. They then opened fire and mowed down 1,000 Germans and set fire to tanks and lorries. A fierce battle is also reported in the Kalinin sector. This area is the most active section of the front between Kharkov and Leningrad. The Russians have captured important enemy positions, which the Germans in a three-day battle tried in vain to retake. The Russians forced the Germans to fight in the Kalinin sector before they could carry out their own plans of attack.