CHOICE OF EVILS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 January 1943, Page 3

CHOICE OF EVILS

FACED BY THE GERMANS IN CAUCASIA DIFFICULT AND COSTLY RETREAT. LOSSES ALREADY VERY HEAVY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.12 a.m.) RUGBY, January 29. With the capture of Kastotnoye, the Russians have reached approximately the area they held in December, 1941, and gained a vantage ground for a direct drive against Kirsk, states a Moscow message. The loss of Kastornoye has exposed the Germans retreating west and north to strong pressure and has also jeopardised enemy positions in the Don area. The battle for Kastornoye (ended in hand-to-hand fighting. The survivors of the German garrison tried to escape but were taken prisoner. It has become clear that the Germans have decided that it is impossible to hold more than a bridgehead in the Caucasus peninsula. They would probably like to hold the triangle of Rostov, Krasnodar and Novorossisk, but this would mean a 200-mile front, and it is doubtful if they could find the necessary men and equipment. According to one Moscow correspondent the enemy had 25 divisions in the Caucasus, but it is certain that many of these have suffered losses, some being almost decimated. The actual enemy strength is thus unknown. The alternative would be to hold a much shorter line, from Rostov to Yeisk. but this would mean sacrificing large numbers of men of the Caucasian Army and the bulk of its equipment.