CHECKED & HELD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 March 1943, Page 4

CHECKED & HELD

AXIS COUNTER-OFFENSIVE WEST OF KHARKOV ATTEMPTS TO CROSS RIVER FAIL. SOVIET REPORTS HEAVY ENEMY LOSSES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, March 9. The Russians have checked a powerful German counter-offensive against Kharkov, on a 120-mile front in the Donetz Basin. ( A Soviet communique states that the Gelmans threw in 25 divisions against the Red Army south and south-west of Kharkov, and forced the Russians to retreat across the Upper Donetz River. All German attempts to cross the river failed. The German and other Axis troops are suffering enormous losses in men and material, especially tanks, in the battle, which is continuing south and west of Kharkov. SEVERAL PRONGS THRUST INTO ENEMY DEFENCES. BETWEEN LAKE ILMEN & KURSK. (Received This Day, 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, March 9. The main Russian offensive at present is concentrated from Lake Ilmen to Kursk, where the Red armies are thrusting several prongs into strong enemy defences, although the Germans in some sectors may be withdrawing. Southward of Kursk a thaw has slowed down the Russian movement and the Germans claim to be recovering ground in the vicinity of Kharkov. Today’s German communique states: “West of Kharkov we expelled the Russians from several defence lines and captured the town of Lyutotin and Valki.” The Russians are silent regarding this important front, where previously they were striking promisingly towards Dnepropetrovsk and also menacing Zaporozhe. However, “The Times” Stockholm correspondent expresses the opinion that stagnation has now yet set in between Kursk and Kharkov.