SOVIET RESERVES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1942, Page 3

SOVIET RESERVES

THROWN INTO BATTLE HEAVIER TOLL TAKEN OF ENEMY. BUT POSITION GRAVE EAST OF DON. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) RUGBY, July 14. The Soviet Air Force, attacking four German aerodromes, destroyed 113 planes on the ground. Moscow messages say that Soviet forces, in ceaseless counter-attacks, by day and night, succeeded in capturing yesterday an important line on the Voronezh sector. The counter-attack was made along a wide front, against the enemy’s left flank on the banks of the Don. Soviet tanks, cavalry and infantry crashed into the enemy's defences on this flank, forcing the Germans to retreat southwards. Thousands of Germans were killed or taken prisoner. It' is apparent from front-line despatches that considerable reinforcements in tanks, aircraft and men have reached the Soviet forces, enabling them to take a heavier toll of the enemy and also to recapture villages near Voronezh. Tank battles continue between the Don and Voronezh rivers, and although the Russians are destroying enemy crossings, several bridegheads are functioning. The serious position which it was feared would result from the Germans establishing a large bridgehead at Voronezh is considered in London to have arisen. An army group has broken through and it remains to be seen in what manner Von Kleist will be able to eyploit his new position east of the Don. The line from Voronezh north-westward apparently still holds firm on the flank of the German advance. Further south, the Russian armies between the Don and Donetz evidently have been able to withdraw in good order, on a line between the Don, near Boguchar, and the Donetz.

FURY OF BATTLE “HELL HAS BROKEN LOOSE.” BETWEEN DON & VORONEZH. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, July 14. “Hell has broken loose between the Don and Voronezh and a fight to the death is going on everywhere in an area fifty miles long and ten miles wide,” says a Moscow despatch. “The Russians are defending every foot of ground to the last Bitter hand to hand fighting alternates with large-scale tank battles.’’ The Vichy radio says the Russians are violently attacking north-west and north-east of Voronezh. The Russians for the second time have been driven out of Novokhopersk, where the Germans have reached the most easterly point of their drive to the Volga. Another German thrust is being made cast of Millerovo.