NO RELIEF

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1943, Page 3

NO RELIEF

GAINED BY GERMANS IN SOUTH RUSSIA COUNTER-ATTACKS FAIL. SOVIET DONETZ BRIDGEHEAD DEEPENED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 21. In Russia, Soviet forces north-east of Novorossisk have beaten off renewed German attacks, which have failed to ease the threat to the naval port. In the Donetz area, German counter-at-tacks have also completely failed. The Russians have actually deepened their bridgehead on the right bank of the river. SMASHED BACK GERMAN ATTACK IN KUBAN AREA. RUSSIANS IMPROVE POSITIONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 12,55 p.m.) RUGBY, May 21. The Moscow radio says four German infantry regiments, supported by tanks, launched an attack, which was preceded by air and. artillery fire, on the sector north-west of Novorossisk. The Germans were met by a strong counter-attack. Russian pilots bombed concentrations of enemy troops and the Soviet artillery opened a terrific fire. In fierce fighting, at times hand to hand, the. Russians drove the enemy back and improved their positions. Hundreds of Germans were killed. GERMANS UNEASY RUSSIANS ADMITTING LITTLE. BUT MAKING GAINS IN SOME AREAS. (Received This Day, 1.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 21. German reports continue to suggest that the Russians are completing preparations to launch a powerful offensive south of Moscow and also in the Kuban area, but the Russians admit little beyond a softening of the enemy’s defences on different sectors between Leningrad and the Sea of Azov. “The Times” Moscow correspondent says infantry fighting continues in the Kuban area and the Donetz Valley. The Russians, by artillery and bombing attacks, are giving attention to widely .separated sectors. The “Daily Express” Moscow correspondent says the Russians today widened and deepened their bridgeheads on the Donetz, south of Isyum and also in the Liman area and at Lisichansk.