MADE BY THE GERMANS AT STALINGRAD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 October 1942, Page 3

MADE BY THE GERMANS AT STALINGRAD

Operations Slowed Down by Autumn Rains ENEMY HOLDING NARROW FRONT ON VOLGA BANK ATTEMPTING TO BLOCK FLOW OF RUSSIAN REINFORCEMENTS LONDON, October 20. All German attacks agaist Stalingrad have failed during the past 24 hours. Torrential autumn rain has slowed down the assaults by enemy planes, as many aerodromes are now a quagmire and bombers are not making as frequent or as violent raids as they were recently. . « u • / If the Germans succeed in consolidating their foothold in the northern suburbs the position of the Soviet defenders in Central Stalingrad will become increasingly precarious. A new battle is developing in the rear of the Soviet forces defending the city, as the result of German penetration to the west bank of the Volga, where they are attempting to hold up the passage of reinforcements and supplies. Stalingrad’s little navy is still carrying on, escorting convoys and raiding the German riverbank batteries.

North and south of Stalingrad the opposing armies are floundering in mud and this explains why Marshal Timoshenko’s offensive is, hanging fire. ) In the Tuapse area, the Russians have lost two villages and reoccupied a hill. On the Mozdok front the enemy has failed to maintain his offensive on a wide front and is now attacking at several scattered points.