ON THE SOUTHERN FRONT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 August 1942, Page 4

ON THE SOUTHERN FRONT

Situation Becoming Steadily More Disquieting VON BOCK DISREGARDING HEAVY LOSSES SERIOUS THREAT TO BLACK SEA PORTS (By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright.) (.Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, August G. Although the more startling Vichy reports of German progress in the Caucasus are not borne out by either the Germans or the Russians, there is no question that the situation is developing rapidly. The Russian position has shown further deterioration and is steadily becoming more disquieting. Marshal von Bock, with seemingly endless supplies of troops and materials, and disregarding the heavy losses which the Russians undoubtedly are inflicting, is relentlessly pushing forward in vital sectors. Von Bock’s latest blows seem steadily to be pushing back the Russians in the Kuban area and observers recognise the serious threat to Novorossisk and Tuapse (a Caucasian port south-east of Novorossisk). Von Bock is trying to cut off the entire Kuban area. Although the Caucasus threat appears to provide the most immediate danger in the south, Marshal Timoshenko is now also facing an important new thrust against Stalingrad, against which von Bock’s attack has now developed a pincer thrust near Kotelnokovo. The Axis forces are astride the StalingradKrasnodar railway, to the east of which there is a wide, bleak expanse of flat country, offering no natural obstacle, before reaching the Volga. “The Timos ’’ Moscow correspondent emphasises the danger of the Kotelnokovo offensive. This is being made by German panzers which crossed the Don River in small numbers at numerous points in the vicinity of Zymlyanskaya.