CRITICAL BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 July 1942, Page 3

CRITICAL BATTLE

BEING FOUGHT FOR VORONEZH AND DON CROSSINGS Position Obscure in Details PRINCIPAL ENEMY CLAIMS STILL UNCONFIRMED BUT WEDGE DRIVEN INTO RUSSIAN DEFENCES LONDON, July 8. A critical battle for Voronezh and the Don bridgehead is still being fought out on the Russian front. The Germans have apparently driven a wedge into the Russian defences between the river and the town of Voronezh, their immediate objective being to cut the vital railway between Moscow and Rostov. Although the Germans claimed the capture of Voronezh two days ago and to have cut the railway, the fate of the town and the line remains obscure. The Russians give no indication that either has been lost. The Nazis have reached the Don as the result of striking with overwhelming forces and their efforts are being directed not merely to securing bridgeheads on the eastern bank, but also to widening the point of the wedge on the western bank. These operations are being constantly hampered by Russian flank attacks. The Russians are making air attacks against German concentrations and the Germans are making heavy raids against Russian communications in the rear. South-west of Voronezh, the Russians have been forced back in one area and the German pressure is also very strong on the Kalinin front.