The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-07-24
Germans in Better Form t0 Hold ROstOv If If Has
 Fallen Again
STALINGRAD IS NEXT
 .TIMONSHENKO STANU
Russians Continue to Fight Stubbornly; Odds In-
 creasing Against Them
BY LOUIS F. KEEMLE (Of the United Press War DesA

(Of the United Press War Desk,
 The German drive to Ros~ toy, which, perhaps, already has fallen - exposes the northern part of the Cau- casus and the oil fields on the near side of the moun- tains to grave danger of Ger. man occupation. It is true that the Germans took Ros- tov once before, only to be driven out in the Russian counter attack late in 1941, but the Russian position is not as strong this year. For one thing, the Germans are at tacking in far greater force than last year.
 They are concentrating the mighti- est army they have yet used i'll the war in the comparatively limited area between Voronezh and the lower reaches of the Don, 8 stretch of less than 300 miles. It seems probable that Marshal Semyon T1imoshenko will be forced to w1th- draw from Rostov and attempt 2 stand on the south bank Of the Don.
 If Timoshenko cannot hold Ros- toy, there appears little chance that he can keep the Germans out of the northwestern Caucasus. A German drive across the Kerch Strait from the Crimea is not un- likely. This force would strike for Novorossisk, northernmost Black sea port, and Krasnador, oil center. At the same time, the Germans would drive southward from Rostov along the rail line in an enveloping movement to pinch off that corner of the Caucasus.
 Where He Must Stand
 If the above is an accurate size- up of the situation, Timoshenko will have to make his main effort before Stalingrad, in the area be- tween the bend of the Don and the Volga river. While 1t would be dis heartening and damaging blow to Russia to lose large part Of the northern Caucasus, it would be catastrophe if the Germans reach the Volga.
 The broad Volga is vital artery of supply. On Its eastern side is the only rail line from the Caspian Sea, the only inlet for Russla's southern supply line from the outside world. The Germans undoubtedly would try to press down the Volga to As- trakhan and cut of the netilc Cau- casus, including the Baku oil fields on the other side of the mountains.
 There can be little doubt that I1- moshenko has heavy reserve; at Stalingrad and beyond to fight on such a possibility. Marshal KlemenS Vorishilov is reported to be com- manding large. army in that area, buttressed by important forces from Asiatic Russia.
 That indicates the Russians Were prepared for German successes in the present drive, but made long distance plans so that their man armies would not be shattered ana they would not lose the whole to save a part. The Russians are ID retreat, but not beaten.
 Moscow Report
 Moscow, July "A - (UP) ' Ths Russians stubbornly fought of the Germans pounding at the gateway of the Caucasus today, killing then by the hundreds, while front-llnt reports indicated that the SovleH counter drive at Voronezh, 290 miles to the north, was pushing the en- emy slowly back.
 Soviet "armor busters" aviation, tanks and men were massed i'll an attempt to stop the Germans @ the lower Don river front = aroufSo Tsimlyanskaya, NovocherkasSS 6@o
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