DESPERATE EFFORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 February 1943, Page 4

DESPERATE EFFORT

TO DEFEND AND HOLD KHARKOV MADE BY GERMANS CRACK DIVISIONS USED. IN FIERCE STREET FIGHTING. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, February 16. It is believed that the Germans defended Kharkov, their main base in the Ukraine, to the last. The 1 city was taken after fierce street fighting. The Germans used crack divisions in an effort to stem the Russian onslaught in the south-east section of the city. KEEPING IT DARK MAPS OF RUSSIAN FRONT. PUBLICATION PROHIBITED BY GOEBBELS. (Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, February 16. The Exchange Telegraph Agency’s Zurich correspondent quotes a Berlin report that Goebbels has ordered German newspapers to cease publishing maps of the Russian front until further notice. r . The Oslo’ radio says Mussert (Nazi Commissioner in Holland) disclosed that 300 Dutch volunteers were among the troops captured by the Russians at Stalingrad. . PICKED GERMAN UNITS INCLUDING TANK DIVISIONS, ROUTED IN THE BATTLE FOR KHARKOV. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 1.0 p.m.) RUGBY, February 16. The Soviet communique announcing the occupation of Kharkov said: In this fighting our troops routed a German corps consisting of the Adolf Hitler and Reich tank divisions, the Great Germany Motorised Division, several infantry divisions and several special units. This operation and the routing of the enemy forces have been carried out by Soviet troops under ColonelGeneral Golikof.”