MASSED TANKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 December 1943, Page 4

MASSED TANKS

ON NARROW SECTORS SMASHED BY RUSSIAN GUNS IN KIEV SALIENT BATTLE |By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, December 12. Marshal Von Mannsteon is maintaining the intensity of the Germans’ protracted counterblow against the Kiev salient. The enemy, from the Chernykhov and Malin sectors, is concentrating as many as 300 tanks on narrow sectors, and, according to Moscow correspondents, is losing a tank division daily in prodigal expenditure against the Red Army’s new defences. Correspondents agree that the Red Army’s admirable artillery again seems to be the most potent factor in the situation, and that, by smashing down endless hordes of tanks, it has thus far enabled the Russians to stand firm during 30 days of practically non-stop panzer onslaughts. The enemy nevertheless has continued unabatedly pouring in fresh reserves and his counterattack showns no signs of dying down. A Reuter correspondent says the climax of the great Battle of the Bulge is near. It is the greatest battle of 1943. Reports indicate that General Vatutin’s army is steadily wearing down the German counterblows and that the crisis cannot long be delayed. 'The struggle is going on with unabated fury, with the German commanders whipping up troops who waver before the Red Army’s terrible artiller. Fog, swirling through ravines and masking panzer concentrations, is providing a new hazard for the defenders, but the Russian gunners, accustomed to operating side by side and even ahead of assault troops, are smashing up the tanks at point-blank range. The Germans are unable to match the Russian artillery, despite hurriedly revised production schedules.