SUDDEN BLOW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 May 1943, Page 3

SUDDEN BLOW

STRUCK BY RUSSIANS AXIS DONETZ POSITIONS STORMED AND HELD. ARTILLERY BATTLE CONTINUES IN KUBAN AREA. LONDON, May 16. Russian forces, in the first big flare up in the Ukraine for some time, smashed their way across the Doncfz and captured a number of important enemy positions. The Germans threw in several battalions in a strong counterattack to regain the positions. After fierce hand-to-hand fighting they were repulsed with the, loss of 200 killed. In the Kuban area, no large-scale battle is yet in progress. The Russians are feeling their way, and their guns are still battering the enemy fortifications at Novorossisk. ENEMY ATTACKS REPELLED IN LENINGRAD REGION. LONDON, May 15. The Germans have developed a sharp new attack on the Leningrad front. The Moscow “Red Star” reports that a heavy artillery barrage, in which more than 5000 rounds were hurled against the Russians, preceded the attack. German infantry then advanced, and the Russians met them with heavy gunfire, particularly from automatic weapons. ■ The first thrust cost the Germans heavy losses and they reeled back, but later returned to the attack. The Germans, disregarding losses, made several additional attempts in a single day to smash up the Russian lines. By numerical superiority the Nazis succeeded in breaking through the defence works in one direction, but the Russians quickly reinforced this sector and exterminated the enemy group.