HUGE LOSSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 October 1943, Page 3

HUGE LOSSES

SUFFERED BY GERMANS IN MEN & MATERIAL GREAT INCREASE IN ENEMY AIR STRENGTH. IN VAIN EFFORT TO HOLD POSITIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, October 16. The Russians have launched a great attack north-west of Dnepropetrovsk, says Berlin radio. Infantry attacked after a particularly violent*drumfire barrage. The radio claimed that German positions were “on the whole maintained.”

It added: “Powerful Russian forces are trying to effect a new break through west of Smolensk. Fierce fighting flared up on this sector on Friday, the Russians flinging in many tanks and dive-bombers. The Luftwaffe is busily engaged in covering German troops in a heavy defensive struggle.” The Moscow radio says that the number of German aircraft in some areas on the west bank of the Dnieper has increased tenfold to fifteenfold. The Germans t4e concentrating aircraft over the battle area where they are attempting to hold their positions regardless of cost, but the Russians are steadily expanding their bridgeheads. The Germans’ increased aerial activity is not seriously affecting the Russian operations.

“The Russians repulsed enemy tank and infantry counter-attacks and continued the battle in thp streets of Melitopol. The enemy is suffering huge losses in manpower and material,” says a Moscow communique. “In the south-west section of Melitopol, we destroyed more than 40 tanks. ‘South of Zaporozhe we advanced three to seven miles and occupied several inhab ; ted localities. South-east of Kremenchug, we resumed fighting for an extension of bridgeheads on the right bank of the Dnieper. We broke down fierce enemy resistance, advanced some miles and occupied several inhabited localities. “We fought engagements on the right bank of the Dnieper north of Kiev to extend our bridgeheads. Our positions have been improved. We have forged ahead and improved our positions south of Gomel.”