CONTINUED THRUSTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 July 1943, Page 3

CONTINUED THRUSTS

INTO THE OREL SALIENT IN FACE OF ENEMY RESISTANCE ALL AXIS COUNTER-ATTACKS BEATEN OFF. FREAK WEATHER SLOWS DOWN RUSSIANS. LONDON, July 25. The Russian armies are keeping up their offensive in the Orel salient. They have advanced up to five miles and liberated 30 more towns and villages in face of enemy resista nee. German resistance at Orel, another message states, is increasing. The Germans are repeatedly counter-attacking with large forces, usually consisting of 150 tanks, two to four infantry regiments and several artillery batteries supported by 20 to 30 bombers. However, all the counter-attackshave been beaten off and the Russians continue to advance. They have occupied several centres of resistance. East of Orel the Russians continue to advance and captured several inhabited localities. South of Orel they have captured 18 inhabited places. A detachment of Russian guards on the Kalinin front broke into German trenches and maintained the new positions. The Germans at great sacrifice are holding on to the west flank of the corridor to Orel; One garrison consisting of a regiment and some artillery fought for four days. Only thirty survived. Freak weather has slowed down the Russian advance •on Orel. Heavy rainstorms have turned roads into strips of mud. The nights have turned bitterly cold.