IN DEFENCE OF LOWER DON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 July 1942, Page 3

IN DEFENCE OF LOWER DON

Russians Making Enemy Pay For Every Yard Gained ROSTOV BEING STORMED HOUSE BY HOUSE GERMANS FORCED BACK A LITTLE AT VORONEZH ~ LONDON, July 26. The news of the great battle raging round the Lower Don front is still grave. In the Rostov sector the Russian defences have been penetrated at a new point and further up the river the Germans have established a bridgehead. The defenders of Rostov realise, it is stated, that the German advance into the south threatens the life of all Russia and they are putting up a sacrificial resistance, knowing they have not any chance of success and selling their lives as dearly as possible. They are fighting in fortified positions to the last round of ammunition and to the last man. The enemy has now reached the outskirts of Rostov on one side and each building has to be stormed separately, always at heavy cost. The present Soviet policy is to put up a stout defence for every yard of territory, so as to make the enemy pay exorbitantly for each success. Further up the Don the same policy is being pursued. The Germans have succeeded in getting tanks across the river, within 25 miles from the railway connecting the Caucasus with Stalingrad and the rest of Russia. The enemy has hurled men and material into the task of consolidating bridegheads and has managed to establish himself on the. eastern bank in fair strength. The Russians are counter-attacking strongly. If the German army does get across, it will be a very different army to that which approached the river. At Voronezh the Germans are s,till being held, in spite of counter-,attacks. The Russians have succeeded in establishing a new bridgehead on the western bank. Fierce fighting continues in this area, with attacks and counter-attacks. On balance the Russians have forced the Germans back a little. There is no important change further north.