HELD AT VORONEZH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 July 1942, Page 3

HELD AT VORONEZH

BUT PRESSING ATTACK FURTHER SOUTH German Thrust Across Don Steppes SOVIET REPORTS HUGE ENEMY LOSSES IN TERRIFIC FIGHTING OF LAST TWO MONTHS LONDON, July 17. The Russians are still falling back in the lower Don Basin area, though round Voronezh the Germans appear to be digging in. In the south the Russians have been forced to withdraw from a large area, but nowhere have the Germans succeeded in encircling Soviet forces. Berlin reports repeated Russian attacks against the German brideghead east of the Don, near Voronezh. South of Voronezh, the position is more critical. The Germans are making every effort to keep up their pressure. A special Berlin communique claims the capture of Voroshilovgrad, on the Don. No confirmation of the loss of this town has been given by Moscow. It is an important industrial and agricultural centre, 90 miles north-west of Rostov. A special Soviet communique states: “The Germans have sustained huge losses in the terrific fighting of the last two months. The German losses in killed, wounded and captured have been 900,000, of which 350,000 were killed or wounded. “The Russian losses in the same period were 399,000 killed, planes. “The Russian losses in the same period were 399,zz0 killed, wounded and missing, 1905 guns, 940 tanks, and 1354 aircraft.’’