GERMAN ATTACK ON EASTERN FRONT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 July 1943, Page 4

GERMAN ATTACK ON EASTERN FRONT

Launched From Orel Salient HEAVY DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY TANKS AND PLANES REPORTED BY THE MOSCOW RADIO (By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, July 5. Russian troops in the Orel, Kursk, Byelgorod direction have since early this morning’, been fighting against large forces of enemy tanks and infantry, supported by a considerable number of planes, which have launched an offensive The Moscow radio, reporting this, added that all the attacks were repelled and heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy. The radio said: “Small enemy formations at individual points succeeded in edging slightly into the Russian defences The Russians, according to incomplete reports to date, disabled or destroyed 586 German tanks and destroyed 203 planes m the day’s fighting. The battle continues.’’ BERLIN GIVES ANOTHER VERSION

The Berlin radio gives a different version. It says: “A fierce battle has been raging since early today on a seyen-mile front north-west of Byelgorod. The Russians had been throwing in strong forces to recapture a dominating height which German grenadiers took yesterday. The Russians, though repulsed and suffering heavy casualties, are continuing their attacks, constantly throwing in fresh formations from comparatively strong reserves held in this area.’’ . _ , The Berlin radio also reported that the Russians m the Orel sector had effected a local breach in the German, lines, but that a German counter-attack threw them back and inflicted heavy casualties upon them. / Last night Russian bombers raided three key, railway junctions, through which German troops and supplies were being brought up to the Orel front. Bombs were showered down on trains, stations and depots. All the Russian aircraft returned to their bases.