AXIS BREAK-THROUGH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 August 1942, Page 3

AXIS BREAK-THROUGH

EFFECTED AFTER WEEKS OF FIGHTING ON WEST BANK OF DON. RIVER PASSAGE FORCED AT HEAVY POST. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 10.25 a.m.) RUGBY, August 26. The German break-through northwestward of Stalingrad occurred after several weeks of the most violent battles on the west bank of the Don loop. There several panzer and a number of infantry divisions, as well as heavy artillery. kept pressing day and • night. The Germans forced the Don several times, but the Red Army kept wiping out enemy troops on the east bank. Three days ago, however, the Germans made a supreme effort to cross the river with heavy forces and finally succeeded, under cover of a large number of aircraft. Enemy tanks and motorised infantry penetrated some way into \ the Soviet defences and began an advance towards Stalingrad from the north-west, in the fact of fierce resistance. This was especially the case near an unnamed settlement, where a terrific tank battle took place and the Germans were turned back.” The “Red Star” says: “In other directions on this front our units are holding the enemy. The situation is complicated and fierce battles are raging everywhere.” In the Kotelnikovo area, from whence the Germans are attempting to drive north-eastwards to attack Stalingrad from the flank, a Moscow message this morning says, the Russians have somewhat improved their position. The Red Army yesterday repulsed all enemy attacks from this direction and is still counter-attacking at a number of points. RAID ON HELSINKI MADE BY SOVIET PLANES. Helsinki is reported to have been raided last night by Russian planes. A Finnish communique says that many .buildings were damaged.