FEARFUL LOSSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 July 1942, Page 4

FEARFUL LOSSES

INFLICTED ON GERMANS IN VORONEZH BATTLE AREA. ENEMY DIVISIONS “SIMPLY WITHERING AWAY.” (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, July 15. Russian counter-blows on the Voronezh front have been intensified in the past two days. A Moscow message says the enemy at some points has been forced to dig in and fortify his lines. The Russians continue to inflict fearful losses in the Voronezh sector. The “Pravda”' says enemy divisions are simply withering away. A correspondent gives, as an example, General Schlucper’s Third Motorised Division, which crossed the Don River, but was obliged to withdraw after one day’s fighting. It was replaced by the 168th Division, which had already suffered huge losses. The northern and southern outskirts of Voronezh City are at present the scenes of furious fighting. Von Kleist’s armoured forces, advancing towards Rostov, are said to have reached Rovenki, on the Taganrog Gulf. It is also reported that fighting is proceeding in the streets of Voroshilovorad. Moscow reports that a' fierce Russian surprise attack resulted in the capture of an important German stronghold and considerable booty on the Volkhov front. German counterattacks failed to regain the stronghold. The Russians are steadily improving their position between Lake Ilmen and Leningrad. The Russians repulsed large-scale German attacks attempting to penetrate the Russian lines in the Lake Ilmen area. The Germans here, in the past ten days, have lost several thousands killed and wounded. The “Ivestia” says a Russian unit on the Kalinin front annihilated 2,000 Germans and destroyed 54 tanks. A German High Command communique states: “Axis ' troops are advancing rapidly along the whole Russian offensive front.”

ENEMY SHIPS

DESTROYED BY RED AIR FORCE. ATTACK ON UNNAMED PORT. (Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, July 15. The Moscow radio announced that a Russian Air Force unit dropped hundreds of heavy bombs on an unnamed enemy port, in which five ships were destroyed, and a refuelling ship and docks were blown up.

SPOTTED TYPHOID

SPREADING AMONG GERMAN TROOPS. CAUGHT FROM RUSSIANS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, July 15. An Oslo despatch reports that spotted typhoid among Russians taken prisoner in the Bodo district is spreading to German soldiers. The district has been quarantined and German doctors are attempting to combat the epidemic.