THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE IN RUSSIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 July 1942, Page 3

THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE IN RUSSIA

Critical Operations in Progress SOVIET WITHDRAWALS AT SOME POINTS ENEMY CLAIMS APPROACH TO ROSTOV LONDON, July 15. While the Russians around Voronezh continue to battle grimly against the Germans', the main danger point continues to move to the south. In the Boguchar district, where Axis forces are attacking, the pace of the enemy advance gives ground for a most serious view of the situation. No fresh news is available of the progress of the battle, but it is known that the situation is changing rapidly and that the Russians have made a further withdrawal to new positions. There is no confirmation of enemy claims to have made progress along the Sea of Azov twoards Rostov. The defenders of Voronezh are fighting with savage determination against even more enemy tanks and infantry. Hand to hand fighting is going on on the outskirts of,the town, A threat of encirclement from the north and south has also developed. At one point a Soviet counter-attack hurled the enemy back. The Germans continue to pay a terrific price for the ground gained, South of Boguchar the Germans are pressing toward the river from two directions, apparently aiming at Stalingrad, the great city in the bend of the Volga. The advance is not fast.The Moscow radio announced that the Germans have again advanced several miles south of Boguchar. The Russian units are gradually withdrawing after making a stand in order to allow the main Soviet forces to take up new positions. A report says that an artillery "bombardment throughout the previous night preceded a German dawn offensive yesterday in the south between Stalino and Taganrog, which, according to unconfirmed. Stockholm reports, had. already taken the enemy to within six miles of Rostov. Field Marshal von Bock is reported to be attacking with 24 divisions. The Germans are heavily bombing Rostov.