STEADY RAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 October 1942, Page 3

STEADY RAIN

DEEP MUD IN SOME AREAS OF CONFLICT STALINGRAD A BLAZING FURNACE. BUT SUPPLIES STILL GETTING THROUGH. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, October 21. The onslaughts against northwestern Stalingrad continue with undiminished ferocity, but today, as on the previous day, the Russian communique reports that all German attacks have been repulsed. The enemy made progress in one sector, but was thrown back. Rain has fallen steadily in the last few days, and the troops m parts of the suburbs are fighting knee-deep in mud. Though the air operations have been affected by the weather, the Luftwaffe’s bombardment is still very heavy. Artillery as well as planes are striking at the river crossings, but the latest reports from the city indicate that supplies are still getting through. Moscow reports that on the Caucasus front the enemy drives toward Grozny and Tuapse are being held, and the Russians have (regained some ground in some areas. Pictures from different sources vividly describe the hell that Stalingrad has become. Moscow radio says, “Stalingrad quakes under the incessant bombing from the air. Soviet fighter pilots continue to fight against numerically superior forces and with the utmost gallantry to prevent the enemy from bombing the Soviet troops.” The Rome radio, quoting an Italian special correspondent, says: “The road leading to Stalingrad can be compared with a huge crater. The course of the battle is marked by an uninterrupted chain of cemeteries of machines and artillery. Flying over the area, one sees enormous masses 'Of tanks destroyed in the battle and by bombers. Miles of columns of motorvehicles nailed down to the grounds and parts of light, medium, and heavy artillery are all converted into a shapeless mass of iron.

“Stalingrad has feecome a permanent furnace. The sky over the city is dark, because of the dark clouds of smoke which reach 6500 ft. The heat from the furnace is felt for several miles, and even the rains of the last few days have not lowered the temperature or decreased the extent of the fires, which the fighting continually lights anew.”