RACE FOR ROSTOV

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 February 1943, Page 3

RACE FOR ROSTOV

ABOUT WON BV RUSSIANS WITH CAPTURE OF VITAL JUNCTIONS. STALINGRAD’S DOUBLE LAURELS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, February 2. I A Soviet communique states that offensive fighting continues on all fronts. The occupation of the district centre of Mikitinsky marks a further important advance along the SalskRostov railway. The Russians are steadily closing the Caucasus ‘'bag” in which a very considerable enemy force is still operating. The size of this force is not known, but it is considered in London probably to be much smaller than the original 24 divisions believed to have been in the area. It is also pointed out by London miiltary observers that the Germans are not yet completely trapped in the Caucasus, as they still have a gap approximately 50 miles wide, containing one railway line through Rostov, and also the possibility of evacuation across the Kerch Straits. Nevertheless, as “The Times” points out: “The race that has been going on between the Germans retreating from the Caucasus and the Russians pressing forward towards Rostov to cut them off is almost won by the Russian capture of the railway junctions of Kropotkin and Tikhoretsk,” and the German armies face the danger of another major disaster. The magnitude of the Soviet victory at Stalingrad and its possible decisiveness are fully appreciated in London. “The Times” says: “For at least ten ■' days there can have been no object in the further outpouring of German blood except to postpone the inevitably heavy blow to Nazi prestige until after the party celebrations on January 30. No postponement can diminish the glory of our Allies or the great feat of arms which crowns the devoted city of Stalingrad with double laurels for the counter-offensive that so completely turned the tables. The size of the army the Russians encircled was the same as that encircled at Dunkirk, but there are some miracles of deliverance that are possible only to sea power.”