GERMAN KEY STRONGHOLDS IN SOUTH RUSSIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 December 1942, Page 3

GERMAN KEY STRONGHOLDS IN SOUTH RUSSIA

Kotelnikovo and Millerovo SOVIET DRIVES MAKING RAPID HEADWAY ENEMY HASTILY RUSHING UP RESERVES LONDON, December 29. In South Russia two towns dominate the news of the Red Army’s great drive in the direction of Rostov—Millerovo and Kotelnikovo—the latter 100 miles south-west of Stalingrad. Both are key towns for supplies and reinforcements for the German armies during the winter and it seems likely that Hitler will lose both of them. Soviet forces advancing along both sides of the railway have already outflanked and almost surrounded Kotelnikovo from the east and west. At one point the Russians are only hve miles- away. The only way still open for the German forces to retreat is a corridor 15 miles wide south-west of the town and even this corridor is threatened by an advancing column. The Germans are fighting tenaciously in an effort to stem the Russian onslaught, but still, the Soviet troops are pressing forward, first encircling and then mopping up each garrison in turn. ■ ~ . The important town of Millerovo, 17 j miles north-we«t of Kotelnikovo, is in an equally critical position, with the Russian ring drawing tighter and tighter. The Russians are reported . to be only four miles away at one point. The Soviet forces are also moving closer to Kamenskaya (50 miles south of Millerovo), from the east and west. • The Germans are moving up fresh reserves, some of them coming straight from their rear bases to the front line.