IN REGION OF LOWER DON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 July 1942, Page 3

IN REGION OF LOWER DON

Following on the Fall of Rostov THREAT TO STALINGRAD INCREASING RUSSIAN FORCES HEAVILY OUTNUMBERED LONDON, July 28. The Russian troops opposing the German thrust south of the Don from Rostov are reported today to be in a most unfavourable position. At the same time, the threat to Stalingrad is increasing. A message from Moscow states that in the south great masses of German troops are now freed for action, after being held up at Rostov. Since Saturday the Germans have been advancing along the line of railway reaching to the rich corn country. The grain is now ripe. The Russian army is vastly outnumbered and the Germans are pushing forward with tanks and other units. The Germans claim to have made progress towards the roads and railways linking Stalingrad with the rest of the country. At Voronezh, the Russians continue to improve their positions in spite of fierce German counter-attacks. Russian airmen in the north attacked enemy shipping and harbour works at a German naval base, An ipimense number of women and young people in Russia have been drafted to land work, replacing men as tractor and lorry drivers and mechanics. There has been a large increase in the area in crops and a countrywide allotment system has been started.