WON BY RUSSIAN TROOPS ON CENTRAL FRONT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 August 1942, Page 3

WON BY RUSSIAN TROOPS ON CENTRAL FRONT

Threat to Nazi Stronghold at Rzhev Intensified POSITION ON STALINGRAD APPROACHES AS CRITICAL AS EVER BUT ENEMY ADVANCE SLOWED BY SOVIET COUNTER-ATTACKS LONDON, August 28. The main news from Russia is of further successes won by the Soviet troops on the central front, west of Moscow, and of more bitter fighting in the defence of Stalingrad. On the Stalingrad front, although the danger to the city is still as grave as ever, all reports agree that the German advance has made no headway in the past 24 hours, The Germans are maintaining their push at full pressure and Russian units have been able to counter-attack. Three villages have been recaptured by Soviet troops in the sector nor Ji-west of the city. The outcome of the battle now depends upon whether Marshal Timoshenko can bring up more men and material to meet the reserves which the Germans are throwing into the battle. Stalingrad has been bombed, on the scale of Rotterdam. Parts of the central area and of the resid are in flames. All fit men have been leaving Stalingrad factories and marching - through the burning streets to the front line. The Soviet defenders of the Black Sea ports are standing firm. It is said the country is unfavourable for large-scale enemy tank movements. On the central front, the pace of the Russian drive westward has somewhat slowed down, though more local successes have been gained by the Russians. Eight more localities have been recaptured. Soviet units have crossed a river and captured an important bridge. Agency messages say that the main Soviet assault on Rzhev is on the northern outskirts of the town. Russians with tommyguns are creeping forward and infiltrating wherever they can. Long-range Russian artillery are pounding the last fortified positions still in German hands east of Rzhev.