SOME SLACKENING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 October 1942, Page 3

SOME SLACKENING

IN GERMAN ONSLAUGHT ON STALINGRAD ENEMY ON THE DEFENSIVE ON BOTH FLANKS. RUSSIAN GAINS NORTH-EAST OF TUAPSE. LONDON, October 27. There are signs oT slackening in the Axis drive against Stalingrad. The “Izvestia” says that owing to their heavy losses the Germans are unable to attack in all sectors at Stalingrad simultaneously. The enemy is now on the "defensive on both flanks. South of Stalingrad the Soviet forces have occupied a ridge dominating the approaches to Stalingrad. The enemy had spent many weeks fortifying it. To the north-west of the city the Russians vigorously continue local assaults. The enemy has not made any further progress in Stalingrad itself. Many factories are still working and tanks are being repaired. In the Caucasus fighting has flared up north-east of Tuapse, on the Black Sea coast. At one point the Russians have advanced and improved their positions, capturing eight villages. CENTRES OF CONFLICT STALINGRAD AND BLACK SEA AREAS. DETAILS OF ENEMY LOSSES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, October 27. A Soviet communique mentions Stalingrad and north-east of Tuapse as the main battle areas. In the northern part of Stalingrad the Russians repulsed enemy attacks, wipig omit an infantry battalion and destroying six tanks. German prisoners report that only 20 to 30 soldiers are left in every company of the 305th Infantry Division. The rest have been killed or wounded. In counter-attacks on the southern outskirts of Stalingrad the Russians wiping out an infantry battalion and panies. North-west of Stalingrad the Russians have inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. North-east of Tuapse the Russians have repelled enemy attacks. East of Novorossisk the Russians have launched attacks and improved'their position. A Moscow message says: “In the southern industrial suburbs of Stalingrad the Red Army has pushed back the Germans to the steppe. One Soviet division, after many days of fighting, crippled or destroyed 160 tanks and killed about 7,000 Germans and Rumanians. Following upon these losses, the enemy is on the defensive in the southern suburbs. Here Russian factories, despite shell damage, are working day and night.”