GAINED BY RUSSIAN FORCES IN CAUCASUS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 January 1943, Page 3

GAINED BY RUSSIAN FORCES IN CAUCASUS

Railway Town of Nalchik Taken CONTINUED HEADWAY ON OTHER FRONTS IN SPITE OF STIFFENING RESISTANCE' LONDON”, January. 5. A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM MOSCOW STATES THAT THE TOWN OF NALCHIK, IN THE CAUCASUS, AND ANOTHER TOWN IN* THE SAME REGION, HAVE BEEN CAPTURED BY THE RUSSIANS. Although German resistance is stiffening, the Russians are still pushing ahead in their offensive thrusts, particularly in the Middle Don and on the central front. In the Middle Don area the Russians have surrounded an enemy base about 150 miles west of Stalingrad. The enemy managed to get troops into the town and launched a fierce counter-attack, which met with some temporary success. A Soviet attack routed the enemy, and 59 enemy tanks were destroyed and over 1,000 Germans killed. On the central front, the Russians are developing their twofold drive towards Novo Sokolniki and Neval, which are junctions on the enemy’s main supply line*running almost the whole length of the front from Leningrad to Kharkov. Soviet troops have broken through the German defences south-west of Velikiye Luki and have made a fresh advance their objectives during the past twelve hours. Another twofold Russian drive south and south-west of Stalingrad is also x going satisfactorily. Soviet tanks and Qossaek cavalry are reported to be taking part in the chase ailter the ijetijeating enemy in this area. i . Moscow messages say the Germans are retreating in such haste that they are leaving their wounded behind them. A number of cars have been abandoned with their tanks full of petrol. In some places the Russians have captured huge stocks of ammunition, which the enemy had no time to take with him.