STILL IN BALANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 October 1942, Page 3

STILL IN BALANCE

THE FATE OF STALINGRAD FURIOUS NEW AXIS EFFORT MASSED AIR AND TANK ATTACKS. FEW STREETS GAINED BY ENEMY. LONDON, October 16. The fate of Stalingrad is in the balance. It is impossible yet to forecast v the outcome of the furious new thrust now being made by the enemy. So far the Germans have only gained a few more streets in the industrial quarter.

The onslaught started at dawn on Wednesday, with a violent air bombardment. As many as 1500 enemy planes battered one narrow sector for hour after hour, dropping many thousands of bombs. A terrific artillery barrage followed and 100 tanks pressed forward over the burning debris. Close behind followed 2,500 infantry. The Russians withdrew slightly under the immense enemy pressure, but when the Germans advanced they were ready for them and opened a deadly fire over open sights. A heavier German attack is expected. All tank and infantry attacks launched by the Germans yesterday were held except in the factory area in Ihe north-west of the city, where after hard fighting, the Russians had to give some ground. In another sector, the Russians wiped out 30 tanks. The Germans officially announce that the present fighting is heavier than ever and that the German High Command is convinced that Stalingrad will be captured in one tremendous push. Outside the city to the north and south, the relieving Russian forces have advanced. In the Caucasus, the Germans are no nearer the Grozny oilfields, their latest heavy attacks having all been thrust back.

DECISIVE BATTLE

DECLARATION BY “RED STAR ”

CITY MUST BE HELD AT ANY COST.

(British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) RUGBY, October 16. The latest German assault on Stalingrad opened with intensive bombing of the Soviet positions, according to a Moscow message. On the north side of the city, -from the front line back to the Volga crossings, the Germans had made 1,500 individual flights by 5 p.m. on Wednesday in a sector just over a mile wide and a few miles deep. The enemy flew in waves of 30 to 40 planes, without cessation, and so low that the defending ground forces alone shot down 16.

Concentrations o£ tanks also advanced into the same deep, narrow sector, with new tanks ever taking the places of those wrecked or burned. After 39 enemy tanks had been knocked out, the Russians counter-at-tacked with their own tanks. The enemy’s numerical advantage in armour and manpower, however, along with his overwhelming air superiority, enabled them., to advance in a number of sectors. .<> The significance attached to the present situation is indicated by the “Red Star,” which says: “This is a decisive battle for Stalingrad. We must hold the city at any cost. There must be more stamina, stubbornness and skill of manoeuvre and we shall repel the new and fierce enemy attacks. The Germans are launching desperate assaults in their effort to capture Stalingrad. The proximity of winter is driving them on. The German High Command is replenishing divisions incessantly and hurling reinforcements into the battle straight from the march.”

In the Soviet offensive north-west of Stalingrad the Red Army captured several trench lines and some prisoners. G&rman counter-attacks were ineffective. In the Mozdok area several German attacks, supported by tanks, were repelled. Soviet armoured trains are taking an effective part in the fighting. In the Caucasus foothills a German Alpine regiment was dislodged from a dominating height and routed. South-east of Novorossisk superior enemy forces succeeded in taking one height, but Soviet infantry counter-attacked, supported by mortal - fire, and recaptured the position and took some prisoners.