The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 5

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. THURSDAY, SEPT. 74. 1942 5 STREETS GERMANS GAIN BATTLE OF DESERT FORCE RAIDS BENGHAZI SUPPLIES GUINEA CONVOY'S SUCCESS Arctic Battle IN STALINGRAD NEW BRITISH ARMOURED CARS AIRCRAFT HAMPER ENEMY CITY'S 30th DAY OF BATTLE OUR STAFF CORRESPONDENT. LONDON, Sept 23.

A hard won victory tor the Allies Is be lieved to have resulted from last week's great Arctic convoy battle. Analysis ol data available from British and German sources leads to the conclusion that im portant supplies reached north- era Russian ports. After claiming for days that the convoy ox juiusn ana American amps had been nracticallv annihilated. Ber lin naaio now re pan we am reached its destination. Germany's original claim of ships sunk has now shrunk to nine.

German accounts say that the RUSSIANS CUT IMPORTANT ROAD From Our Staff Correspondent and A.A.P. LONDON, September 23 Stalingrad entered its 30th day of battle with the Germans having gained gome streets at bitter cost. Outside the city, to the north-west, the Russians have pushed back the enemy and established themselves across an important road. Red Guards have crossed the Volga to reinforce the defenders and are in action in the north-western sector, where thousands of Germans are being killed as the Russians batter their way on. After ferocious righting amid the city's blazing ruins last night, German infantry, supported by 100 tanks, pressed Soviet units back and succeeded in holding several streets.

Two streets were gained at heavy cost in daylight fighting yesterday. In all other parts of the city and outside it, repeated German onslaughts were beaten off. Reuter's Moscow correspondent says that in the Caucasus the Germans have opened a new offensive on the south bank of the Terek River, west of the Grozny oilfields, but the Red Army is holding them. British used Spitfires tn the air battles, and that some of our latest battleships were In the escort, possibly to offset any threat from Germany's biggest war vessels. Admiralty reticence about the convoy battle la not likely to be broken.

MANY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED LONDON, September 23 (A.A.P.). Benghazi was attacked by a British desert flying column last week, says to-day's Cairo communique. In the course of these operations in Libya 500 miles behind the enemy's Egyptian lines, Gialo Oasis, 230 miles south-south-east of Benghazi, was occupied. An attack on Gialo was reported by enemy sources yesterday. The British land forces consisted of armoured cars and lorry-borne infantry.

The attacks formed part of the Tobruk landing operations on September 13. They were designed to disrupt the enemy's administrative organisation. Benghazi and Barce (50 miles north-west of Benghazi) were raided by the British forces on Sunday, September 13. More than 30 enemy aircraft were damaged or destroyed on the ground and several others were shot down while attacking our troops. Heavy casualties were inflicted on enemy personnel, Great damage was done to enemy motor transport.

On the night of Tuesday, September 15, Gialo Oasis was occupied. During this operation, which lasted several days, considerable casualties were caused among the enemy garrison. British artillery destroyed dumps of ammunition and supplies. Our desert forces have now arrived back at their, bases, adds the communique. A.A.

DEFENCE WAS FORMIDABLE The only comment on tne initial Her man claims nas oeen mat me convoy losses have been grossly exaggerated by Germany." FEVERISH ROAD ACTIVITY From Our Staff Correspondents and A.A.P. While Australian troops in New Guinea are holding the Japanese invaders 50 miles from Port Moresby, Allied aircraft are ceaselessly pounding the enemy from his sea base at Buna, on the north coast, right along his lines of communications to the front. How necessary is this constant attention from the air is shown by reports that the Japanese are feverishly at work improving the Buna-Kokoda track in an attempt to turn it into an efficient supply route. Coolie labour has been imported or impressed, and the track is being widened and levelled. Without air protection, the enemy is paying a heavy price for any progress he is making, but his tenacity is shown by the fact that the vital Wairopi bridge, destroyed by Allied bombers one day, had been restored to working order within 24 hours and had to be put out of action again the next day.

On Tuesday the Allied Air Force carried out the most extensive sweep yet undertaken and caused widespread damage, destroying fuel and ammunition dumps, warehouses, and barges, and shooting up ground troops. In the Solomons American dive-bombers attacked and damaged a Japanese cruiser north-west of Guadalcanal on Monday. All U.S. marine positions in the southern Solomons are intact, although patrol activity was intensified on Monday. ENEMY SUPPLY PROBLEM GROWS From Our Staff Correspondent Tne uerman teenmque oi at nrw coasting ana Claiming an overwneun-lna success for the Luftwaffe and boats la recognised as an attempt to iralty reveal the per- make the Adm the convoy getting centage of thrauffh.

The battle may be tne last lougnt between the Roval New and the Luft waffe in northern waters until next sDrina-. Soon air observation will be almost impossioie witn snow, nun, ana hall squalls, followed by the long Arctic nights. LOSSES ADMITTED ve-wltnesses' storiea from Berlin Radio admit "painful air losses," and that "numbers of German planes re Germans were killed in one sector in the last few days. The Russians have control of one more inhabited locality, and have captured two German battalions. turned with difficulty, ana naaiea with holes." It Is these enemy eye-witnesses that supply the Interesting facta that Ger Reuter's correspondent says that a big German attack on the southern outskirts of Stalingrad has been repelled.

Heavy anti-aircraft fire has kept German bombers high over Stalingrad, but the damage they are inflicting on the city is described in Moscow messages as terrific. Reporting fierce fighting in the Voronej (Upper Don) area, Moscow Radio says that more than 3,000 In the Leningrad area Russian Leningrad area man oomoers met opnures nu ua German air bases were continually bombed by Soviet aircraft while the convoy battle lasted, so disrupting the in the Middle East until 1938, when he became Director of Training at the Air ministry until i4U. Group-captain Richard Kellett. D.F.C., A.F.C., is reported missing A medium bomber of the Marauder SOMEWHERE IN AUSTRALIA artillery has destroyed about 20 German earth and timber forts and a number of bridges. In the Moscow area Soviet riflemen routed 40 tanks carrying tommy-gunners.

from operations In the Middle East. fltrtiftCKjIi It appears that from these causes' and the formidable anti-aircraft defences German air losses were exceedingly heavy. It is obvious that we suffered losses. But the supplies that got through were class followed up the day attack with His wife, formerly Miss Dorothy ADoott, aaugnter oi Mr. and Mrs.

Wednesday For the time being the Owen Stanley Range has faded from the centre of the L. A. Abbott, Is serving In the W.A.A.F.S in England. He led the R.A.F.'s record kins- New Guinea war picture. Today's communique from General GERMANS HELD ON 30-MILE DEFENCE ARC From Our Staff Correspondent, William Fitter distance flight from Ismailia to Darwin in November, 1938, for which he was awarded the A.F.C.

He was one of the first to win the D.F.O. in the war, and was awarded the decoration MacArthur's Headquarters brings The British column put up heavy anti-aircraft Are when German and Italian aircraft Intervened at Gialo, Rome Radio admits. Dealing with the Egyptian front, to-day's Cairo communique says: 'Yesterday there were artillery exchanges in the southern sector of the Egyptian front, and, on Tuesday night, enemy patrols and working parties were engaged and harassed. There was little air activity over the battle area yesterday, but our heavy bombers attacked Benghazi and set two enemy ships on Are. On Tuesday night, our medium and light bombers attacked enemy landing grounds in the El Daba area." To-day's Italian communique admits casualties and damage resulted from the British air attack on Benghazi.

It claims that Italian aircraft attacked Haifa (Palestine), TOBRUK RUSES Buna, the Japanese base on the IiONDON, Sept. 23. "A slight midable reinforcements within Stalin, grad, the defence of which, despite substantial. It has to be remembered that the Luftwaffe used several landing grounds In northern Norway for aircraft attacking the convoy. It may be assumed that a powerful German navsl squadron headed by the battleship Tirpitz was available to challenge the British ships.

NEW ZEALANDER WINS V.C. alter he led a successful raid against the naval base on Heligoland ing against the Germans' left flank as more reinforcements arrive from Saratov (230 miles north of Stalingrad). It is from thi direction and tne gangster-nice naming, la stlU north shore of the island, to the front of the scene. Our aircraft swept over the enemy's a mgnt assault on installations at the Buna aerodrome. For several days now there have been references to the bombing of dumps and strafing of positions along the enemy's supply road leading in from Buna.

A spokesman at General Headquarters says it would be wrong to assume from this that there are vast enemy concentrations In the area. Many of the targets, he explains, have been scattered and small and some of them have ecelved attention several times in the daily attacks undertaken by our airmen. It is obvious, however, that the enemy is pushing out from Buna and making new points wherever possible. Doubtless, he expects, If given the time and opportunity, to build a major supply route across the mountains. At our present rate of destruction the going will be difficult for him, and the patience of his efforts in the face ueceniDer, ivav.

closely co-ordinated on orthodox mili He was grounded for some time dur. not Stalingrad Itself that the city must look for relief. tary lines. Secondly, the Russians foiled von Ing the critical period after the fall of France, with severe rheumatism, but carried on in an important Job A report that Marshal von Bock Bock's plan of rushing the city and ui uglier aircrait proauction. has been recalled to Berlin is widely published.

Confirmation is naturally impossible to obtain, but such a development would not be surprising. improvement, but the position is still very grave," Is how the most cautious observers interpret the latest tespatches from the Stalingrad front. The Germans have made no further progress anywhere along the main 30-odd miles of the defence arc around the city, and more shock brigade unite which penetrated the north-western suburbs have been thrown out after bloody house-to-house fighting. It is in this sector that last night's line to Buna In daylight yesterday and attacked every point In sight. They did extensive damage and were not intercepted.

Supply Is so fundamental to the success of the Japanese thrust in New Guinea that land fighting on the southerly slopes of the Owen Stanley Range la at the moment secondary. riATRO. Sent. 23 (A.A.P.I. The inner nas a naDit oi ordering ms generals to achieve the seemingly impossible and sometimes they succeed R.A.M.C.

SAVES NAZI WOUNDED OUR WAR CORRESPONDENT, WILLIAM MUNDAY. is in tne spectacular over-runninz panicxing the defenders. Marshal Timoshenko has reproduced the last war's static warfare conditions, substituting houses and buildings for trenches, and thus inflicting the heaviest possible casualties and fulfilling Moscow's declared policy of bleeding the enemy white. TWO-FRONT, FIGHT Thirdly, Increasing Red Army pressure against their left flank means that the Germans In front of Stalingrad are fighting a two-front battle. The efforts our Air Force have made to cut the enemy's lifeline over the of France but they also fall some of repeated air attacks only under British preparations for the Tobruk landing 10 days ago were perfect in every detail, says Berlin Radio.

Every landing unit included men speaking German and Italian. At a point where a small Italian unit was under command of Sergeant Zaruppo, a British Victoria Cross has been awarded to Sergeant Keith Elliott, of the New Zealand Military Forces, for outstanding personal courage, conspicuous gallantry, and fearless leadership. Elliott commanded a platoon near Buwelsat Ridge at dawn on August 15, when enemy armoured units attacked from both flanks. times. Von Bock la one of Germany's three EL ALAMEIN, Sept.

23. Three Soviet communique reported that the Russians were "conducting offensive operations" which, unofficial reports say, led to a mile and a half advance most competent generals, but he failed to take Moscow last year, and, in view of the Red Army's tenacious re soldier called out as he landed, "Don't shoot. This Is Zaruppo." This ruse British Army doctors, captured with their field hospital during the recent enemy attack, saved in one sector. However, it la too early to eon' on tne other hand, von Bock, or was detected. The enemy Is using very few mer the lives of a number of wounded sistance, it is doubtful whether any other Germau general would have been nearer to capturing Stalingrad to-day than is voa tiock.

HITLER'S PRESTIGE LATE NEWS elude that the German advance is ebbing or has been more than tem- whoever is directing the assault, cannot afford to delay. Summer has given way to autumn, and winter is mountains have been persistent, and the best evidence of their effectiveness Is that pressure by Japanese forward troops along the range front appears to have eased In the last four or five days. Fighting in the ranges Is. In fact, not even mentioned in to-day's communique. That omission should not delude people into believing that combat in the jungle has diminished or is likely to fade out, a It did with the mopping up of Japanese guerillas at Milne Bay.

It means simply that the position la unchanged, and there Is nothing positive to announce. Yesterday's attack on the track to chant ships for transport of tanks and vehicles to North Africa, says Reuter's Germans, although other Ger poraruy cneciced. INFANTRY BATTLE not far distant. Whether or not Hit mans looted most of their Cairo correspondent. He rerxirts Increasing use of self- ler plans another offensive elsewhere, Tor several days the battle raging von hockj army needs Test and quar ters In which to take It.

For three days and night the propelled lighters of a type frequently attacked by the R.A.P. in recent months. These cross the Mediterranean directly to Tobruk. or call at along the Stalingrad perimeter and in the suburbs has been almost exclusively an infantry battle. It is Fighting on the other fronts Is not on a sufficient scale to demand large British doctors did amputations and attended the wounded brouarht to Benghazi on the way to Tobruk or lines his local deficiency in protective aircraft.

Developmental work along the track ha been observed by our airmen. The road between Buna and Kokoda is being widened and regraded and feverish attempt are being made to eliminate the steep stages. It has been reported that coolie labour whether from Japan or Rabaul is being employed, and there are signs that local native labour is being impressed. Some pack animal have been seen. There is nothing to suggest the extensive use of motor transport on the passable section of the road, but our bombers destroyed trucks around Buna a few days ago.

The communique mentions the presence of warehouses in the area. That is a flattering term for the hastily-constructed shacks the Japanese have built at Intervals along the supply route a temporary shelter lor their stores. So far the landing strips at Kokoda and Yodda, on the north side of the range, would appear to have baen useless to the enemy. At any rate there has been no evidence that they have been used. CONVOY WINS THROUGH LONDON, Sept.

23. A special uerman reinioroements. and there' However, Hitler wants Stalingrad for prestige rea-sons Just as much as for military considerations, and he cannot afford to call off the battle at the city's gates. Moscow is equally determined that Stalingrad shall not fall and there is no mistaking the Moscow Press's increasing confidence that it will not. Factors favouring the Russian are: Firstly, Marshal Timoshenko has clearly succeeded In re-grouping for them on German tanks from the Mersa Matruh.

fore it may be assumed that fresh Kokoda and Buna was probably the probable almost certain that the enemy la regrouping his panaera for another attempt to rush the defences, possibly from the south-west a sector Differences between the German nearby battlefield. most extensive yet undertaken by Two Nazi doctors, young and in Allied airmen. AH the principal points on the enemy's lines of communica ominously quiet in tne last lew days. troops, mechanised units, and aircraft are flowing to Stalingrad for a fourth and "final" German attempt to seize what remains of once-beautiful Stalingrad. commander in North Africa, Marshal Rommel, and the German air commander in the Mediterranean, Marshal Kesselring, are reported by the "Daily Express" air writer, quoting experienced, worked beside them, and often asked advice.

stocxnoim messages bint that tne Admiralty communique on the convoy to Russia (see above) says: tion Jiuna itself, vodoa, KoKoda, Manari. Efogi. and Kaoro in that re weight of Russian pressure la lncreas- versed order were struck In the two 'Another Important convoy, carry MOUNTING FURY IN STREET FIGHTING neutral reports. He says that Kom-mel recently visited Kesselring's head-auarters near Rome, where he com ing large quantities of war material, fighter sweeps In which Kittyhawks participated. More than 34,000 rounds were fired by the aeroplanes' gunners.

Store houses, huts, and fuel and has arrived In north Russian ports. on the stream of German reinforce LONDON, Sept. 23 (A.A.P.). "We could have saved more, but even our hospital supplies were looted," the lieutenant-colonel tn command of the hospital told me. The Held unit was treating British wounded, who could not be moved, as German tanks closed around It The Nazis began by taking away all the unit's vehicles, and then the 'Damage was suffered among the plained of inadequate air support in his attack three weeks ago.

Kesselring replied that all available aircraft had been sent and air support was as ments coming up to join in the battle for the city. ships In convoy, but despite heavy ammunition dumps were set on fire. The tempo of street fighting In Stalingrad is mounting In fury as both sides throw in armour. one concentration of 31 Russian Enemy troops were surprised on the batteries pounded an enemv concen great as when Rommel broke through ground and casualties were inflicted. attacks by enemy aircraft and U-boats the great majority of the ships have arrived at their destination.

tration of 200 tanks and 600 lorries Every spot of cover in the city- with devastating effect. newspaper kiosks, overturned buses, RAPID REPAIR OP VITAL DAMAGE Lo El Alamein. NEW AIR COMMANDER Air Vice-Marshal W. A. McClaughry, an Australian, has succeeded Air Vice- wnne uerman shock troops are The bulk of the Russian reinforcements are apparently being concentrated in the Kachalinsk and Dubovka areas for a renewed assault against the Germans from the north.

The Russians are apparently more confident that Stalingrad can be held and they use the grim simile of "mincing machine" to Illustrate Stalingrad' part in weakening the enemy. Moscow newspapers give prominence to the order of the day to the Stalingrad garrison: "Exhaust the enemy In street battles on the outskirts and thus prepare conditions for the enemy's "The convoy consisted of British, piles of sandbags, and motor cars Is American, and Russian merchant gradually being cleared from the streets of Stalingrad, the Russians outside An instance of how fast the Marshal K. R. Park as Air Officer ships. equipment and drugs.

A few hours later Germans brought along 60 seriously wounded Nazis, the first victims of the British counter-attack. The British doctors and orderlies set about their work of mercy, but the looting Germans had left only trestle tables for operations. One British orderly was killed, and five others the city continue to have aoureciable enemy can work to repair vital being used, wmie lanxs irom Dotn sides crash along the shell-marked pavements beneath ruined walls, from behind which Russians and Germans tum all their fire to the streets. Commanding in Ea-vot. It Is not intended to assist the successes," says the Moscow correspon dent oi -rne Times." enemy by informing him of the extent of his lack of success against this "The main battle is still being fought Air Vice-Marshal McClaughry until recently commanded No.

9 Fighter Group, which had distinguished service in the Battle of Britain. He is 50 Heavy anti-aircraft fire Irom guns damage is the Wairopi bridge, between Buna and Kokoda, which Is mentioned as having been hit and damaged by our outside the city, where violent tank and rifles has kept the Luftwaffe final defeat. We must hold Stalin convoy, but It Is possible to say that his claims on this occasion have been higher lately, but the damage it is encounters are taking place. Two heavy German attacks collapsed yes- and was bom and educated in Ade grad." even more exaggerated than usual. bombers In their running raid.

wounaea. as ms comrades dug a grave for the dead man they were forced to Jump Into it time after time for shelter. At the end of the third day the German withdrawal began, and the Germans arrived to move their own inflicting remains terrific. Both sides are clinging desperately to every niche, and many houses have laide. He left Australia in 1914 with the 9th Light Horse Regiment and served in Egypt and GallipoU.

He teruay. "Other fighting continues a fair distance from Stalingrad, and the Rus "No ship of the escort to this convoy This 1 the same bridge as was was lost." transferred to the Roval Flying Corps, sians are attacking with the utmost cnanged nan as several times. Hospitals, schools, and blocks of flats are In ruins, and huge fires are burning day and night. wounaea. Tne British doctors protested that it would be fatal to move reported destroyed in yesterday's communique.

Our raiders on Monday left it sagging In the middle and broken loose at one end. As it spanned a steep ravine above the Kumust River, and after fighter and night bombing service went to the Australian Flying Corps, later commanding No. 4 Aus some, but "It cant be helped; It NEW RUSSIAN SUCCESS tralian Squadron. He had long service "FIERY WALL" is orders," a German officer replied. VON BOCK'S RECALL REPORT LONDON, Sept.

23 (A.A.P.) The "Daily Telegraph's" Stockholm correspondent says that the German commander at Stalingrad, Marshal von Bock, Is 'Red Star" savs that the Russians IN LONDON, Sept. 23 which rises to torrent force after rain, its destruction would snap the tenuous road link, and evidently the Japanese lost no time In putting It in workable order again. In peace-time, the original suspension bridge, which Australian troops destroyed before they retired from north-west of Stalingrad are Inexorably sweeping back the Germans, battering a way through a fiery wall of artillery and trench mortar fire and screaming stukas. MADAGASCAR ADVANCE CASUALTIES INDIA Red Star," organ of the Soviet Army, says that Russians north' reported to have been recalled over a storage area, and the Catalinas crews could still see the glare of fire on the horiaon when 50 miles of their return journey bad been covered. G.H.Q.

COMMUNIQUE To-day' communique said: NORTH-WESTERN SECTOR: Reconnaissance activity only. NORTH-EASTERN SECTOR: New Britain Rabaul: Through a heavy anti-aircraft barrage Allied heavy bombers executed a night attack on enemy shipping In the harbour, scoring two hits amidships on a large vessel. The aerodrome dispersal areas were also bombed, with unobserved result. AU our planes returned. Solomons Buka: Allied medium bombers executed a night attack on the aerodrome dispersal areas with the aid of flares, causing heavy explosions and starting fires visible SO miles distant.

New Guinea Buna: In two strong sweeps by our fighters up nnd down the track, the bridge at Wairopi was hit and damaged by bombs. Fuel and ammunition dumps, a warehouse, and many hut were set on fire by strafing. More than 34,000 rounds were fired by our planes. Three motor launches end a barge were machine-gunned and left In flames, an anti-aircraft position was silenced, and casualties were inflicted on enemy troops surprised on the ground. At night a medium bomber unit attacked the aerodrome Installations, with unknown results.

There was no interception, and all our planes returned. Kokoda: Allied attack units raked enemy positions In the area wih cannon and machine-gun fire, silencing an anti-aircraft post and starting fires. Tile Kussians nave overcome tne diseases of tankophobla and avlo- terocity among puss shattered guns and unburied dead. "The noise Is appalling. The tanks' harsh din.

the machine-guns' ceaseless clatter, and the un abating zoom of hundreds of planes blot out the screams of the dying and the whimpers of the battle-crazed." ARMOURED TRAINS USED The Russian are using heavy armoured trains within and outside Stalingrad, and have recaptured a suburban railway station with an armoured train. The Red Air Force is still hitting back and almost 700 German aircraft have been destroyed In the Stalingrad region in the last fortnight. Tht Russians and Germans are steadily bringing up reinforcements, the Germans bringing battalions of tommy-gunner by transport planes. LONDON, Sept. 23 (Official to Berlin.

It Is stated that he ha been teen in Berlin wearing civilian clothes. west of Stalingrad have broken through the German line of outer defences and recaptured a KOKoaa, was Known to wmte men as the "Wire Rope Bridge" and the village which grew up beside it is known hobia, from they have suffered, and have learned that men can Wireless) The East African stop tanks, while coolly-directed fire Command announces that, de height. by tne native corruption or wairopi. Waterfront damage at Buna yesterday Included three motor launches and "Red Star" adds that the Germans can stop pianes. The Germans, alarmed at the Russian progress, are now swinging men and machines to this area.

Batteries of Russian field gun are spite some stiffening of resistance on the part of the French forces, our troops were yesterday are resisting fiercely. a barge, which were machine-gunned The Stockholm newspaper "Svenska Dagbladet" says that von Bock was dismissed a fortnight ago following a sharp difference of opinion with Hitler. Von Bock wanted to concentrate on the Caucasus, and not to attack Stalingrad simultaneously, arguing that Stalingrad would be too costly NEW DELHI, Sept. 23 Sir Mohammed Usman, who Is leader of the Council of State, In opening a debate on the situation in India, said that the latest figures of casualties since the outbreak of the disturbances were: Killed by police, 390: wounded, 1,060. Killed by troops: 331; wounded, 159.

ano Kit ourning. The Germans have concentrated about three-quarters of their total stretching In an Immense curve behind approaching the outskirts of Tananarive, capital of Madagas Stalingrad, some standing almost wheel to wheel and pouring tn shells eastern front air strength on Stalingrad alone, aays Paul Wtnterton, car. Flying Portresses raided enemy shipping tn Rabaul harbour last night. They met with a heavy anti-aircraft barrage, but succeeded In hitting a large ship twice. Before returning they bombed dispersal areas at the aerodrome.

Buka, in the Solomons, which had Moscow correspondent of the Tews Chronicle." Our column approaching from the 1914-18 CONDITIONS NOW PARALLELED north-west encountered French troops. Winterton adds that the Germans supported by artillery, some IS miles agency. Factories producing fighter xne enemy in tne Moscow area been bombed on the previous night, was visited again last night by Cata- are still held south-east of Novorossisk (Caucasus naval base), and that all their attemnts to break through the attacked a Russian rifle unit in one aircraft nave exceeded tneir quota xor September. There also had been 11 policemen and 33 soldiers killed. Forty trains had been derailed, in which six people had been killed and 12 Inlureri north of the capital.

Resistance In this area was finally overcome yesterday afternoon, when our troop car sector with 40 tanks carrying tommy- llna bombers, which threw out para leptember deliveries of aviation mountains towards Tuapse have been chute flares to assist them in sighting gunners, but were repulsed. Seven frustrated. ried their last objective at Mahltoy tanks and 100 tommy-gunner were targets in tne oispersai area oi tne aerodrome. Heavy explosions were Heavy fighting is going on in the petrol were SO per cent higher than In August. Russian areas under grain have been Increased by 20 to 30 per cent.

destroyed. Kjev district. heard after bombs had been released The police and military," he said, had had to face a most difficult situation. The Government had exercised patience, although It had received renorts of concerted nolicv to Im in tneir movement on the capital from Briokaville. on the east coast.

GERMAN CLAIMS LONDON, Sept. 23 (A.A.P.), The parallel between the Russian front and the Western front of the last war grows more striking ag the wet autumn slows down movement on all sectors. Stalingrad's resemblance to Verdun becomes more marked. The Russian front Is seven times the length of the Western Front of 1914-18, and its defence works are not continuous, but both sides have blocked all open country with strong- nninta. our forces have encountered the usual To-day Berlin communique states: POSITIONS INTACT IN SOLOMONS FOUR MEN PERISH Our force continued their attacks In LATEST COMMUNIQUES LONDON, Sept.

23 (A.AP.). pede the war effort. Any further delay would have meant a direct In the Caucasus. A floating-dock and a IN BLAZE steamer were sunk by the Lutfwaffe. vitation to the to invaae tne 'Fighting continued In the centre extensive roaa obstructions, but good progress has been maintained along both road and railway.

Our troops moving south down the north-west coast have now made contact at Antsohihy with a column despatched north some days ago from Majunga, thus putting the whole main road from Diego Suares to Majunga BRISBANE, Wednesday. Four To-day's Moscow communique states: "The Russians last night of the city of Stalingrad with un diminished Intensity. Russian counter' bodies were discovered in the country. NEW COMMANDS IN AFRICA attack failed, and German troona In the Caucasus the Russians debris after a fire which de WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 The latest VS.

Navy communique says: "South Pacific: On Sunday, Army heavy bombers bombed Oizo Island and bombed and strafed shore Installations at Rekata Bay (Santa Ysabel Island). "On Monday. Navy and Marine Corps Douglas dive-bombers attacked "That," he said, "can only produce at best a dangerous stalemate, The Japanese must be driven back so that they cannot continue to menace Port Moresby. That calls lor an attack planned cunningly and' carried out with dash and tenacity. "The offensive must be carried out primarily to smash the Japanese supply lines weu behind then- forward forces on th Owen Stanley Ranje.

Frontal attacks, while they mav be successful, would result In heavy losses. "The Japanese must not be allowed in our lianas. generally are holding firm, although Germans caotured an Inhabited made territorial gains. "North-west of Voronej, repeated Russian attack were repulsed. fought the enemy in the Stalingrad and Mosdok (eastern Caucasus) areas.

There were no material changes elsewhere." "Street and house changed hand stroyed the two main dormitory sections of the Salvation Army Home for Aged Men, Glenmore Twenty-five enemv tanks wera de PRETORIA, Sept. 23 (AA.P.). A Joint statement from the NEW WORKERS FOR locality in the Mosdok area (50 miles from the Grozny oilfields) on Monday in a heavy attack, supported by 100 tanks. Road, Red Hill, late to-night. stroyed.

"On the central and northern fronts, German attack continued success GERMANY several times in th Stalingrad area. German Infantry operating in one sec The search of the smoking debris Is German resistance nas itinenea on the Voronej (Upper Don) and Sinya- fully. By day and night, railway and supply routes were bombed near still going on. vlno (Leningrad) fronts, where they and damaged a Japanese cruiser north-west of Guadalcanal, and bombed shore installations at Rekata to continue to use supply lines with a minimum of Interference from our About 100 men were sleeping In the tor, supported by 100 tanks, pressed back the Russian somewhat and captured several street. ttjev." LONDON, Sept.

23 (AJU.) Paris Radio says that 550 French are violently counter-attacking. The Russian advanced again on a weatner Bulletin from Moscow state that snow is falllna in th building when the fire, which was assisted by a high wind, broke out. Many of the Inmates were so feeble workers, Including skilled cheml "All enemy attacks in other sector were repulsed. "The Russians In the northern part cal workers, left Parts yesterday northern part of the Caucasus. Rain Is falling In the Stalingrad area, and snow is falling intermittently In the Karelian Isthmus.

German trooos Monday, north-west of Voronej, after beating off four counter-attack. They beat eft eight counter-attacks in the Voronej city area the same day. The Russian are gnawing at the German "neck" between Bhluaaelburg of the city destroyed six German tanks Prime Ministers of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia says that, owing to the change In the military situation, it has been decided to co-ordinate the defences of the whole of Africa. "In accordance with this objective," It Is stated, "It has been decided that there shall be two Commands in eastern and southern Africa, and that Southern Rhodesia will come under union Command. "The Union Oovernment will consult with Southern Rhodesia regarding emergencies and measure to meet them.

for Germany. This Is the second batch of cheml' and the German Baltic Army. HEIGHT RECAPTURED and 14 lorries, and uiieo more than 400 Germans. Russian tank crews destroyed or set on fire 11 German tank, smashed seven anti-tank guns, and 12 lorries, and wiped out two companies of infantry, "The Germans In one sector north cal worker who have gov to Germany. It I estimated Berne (Switser-land) that 100,000 people are trying to escape from Franoe to Swlteerland.

Swiss regulations ooverlng the admission of refugees are being that tney naa to oe neipea or eernea to safety. N.Z. MINISTRY TAKES OVER MINES AUCKLAND, Wednesday The Minister for Mines, Mr. Webb, ha an nounoed that the Government 1 taking control of the Walks to ooal-mlnea for the duration of the war to expedite coal production. The mines Bay.

Patrol activity on Guadalcanal was minor during Saturday and Runday, but increased somewhat on Monday. Our positions remain Intact." OUTFLANKING MOVE URGED CANBERRA, Wednesday "The war In New Guinea will not be won merely by the Allied troops holding their own against the Japanese," said the leader of the United Australia Party, Mr. Hughes, to-day. Air Force. They must not be allowed to use them to build up their strength, to go on creeping down the range towards the more level country on the last approaches towards Port Moresby.

But to stop them doing that we must do much more than merely hold our own. "Air activity to smash the supply line Is not enough. The offensive to do that most be a oombtned one. The men must be placed In adequate numbers, with proper support, weU behind the line of supply running up to the enemy force on the Owen Stanley range. By cutting those supply line the enemy forces on the range can be immobilised and trapped.

That la an ambitious outflanking movement. "Port Moresby can and must be held." there have had to erect winter quarters. A German submarine In the Barents Sea sank two tugboat and two barges several miles from shore and slaughtered 710 Russian women, children, and students. The submarine torpedoed the vessels and then shelled and machine-gunned the lifeboat Into which the survivor The Red Army recaptured an Important height tn the Karelian isthmus after a forced march. Intermittent snowfalls are reported from the isthmus.

The autumn 1 unusually cold along the whole front. Russian aviation orders are ahead of schedule, despite the lorn or serious west of the city launched several fierce counter-attacks, but were repulsed and lost more than 1,000 men. "The Russians In another sector pushed the Germans back and took an tightened up. It waa announced in the 8 Chamber of Deoutlea that 9.000 ro decision has been made after full consultation with all affected, particularly the United ICngdom Government." The East African Command will control operations In Madagascar as fugees already were In Swltterland, Th had been sent to labour camps, scrambled. It then rode down the survivor clinging to piece of wrecked lifeboat and finally followed the few left who were making for shore and will be restored to the owners after Important road.

A Guards unit wiped out a battalion of Infantry and destroyed four trench-mortar batteries dislocation el Don and Caucasus Industry during the slimmer offensive. whore they wer treated similarly to the war; in the meantime their In' Lerest will be adequately preserved. according to Tasa, official Soviet news and eight anti-tank guns. Swiss soldiers. macmrie-gunneo tnem..