Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-14
Twin Red Drive
Appears 10 Be
Near Deadlock
Only Temporary Halt
Seen, However, With
Advantage to Soviets
BY the Associated Press.

oS tHc hSSOCldtcu TresS.
MOSCOW, Dec. 14.-The dou-
ble-barreled Russian offensive on
the Stalingrad and central
fronts appeared to be approach
ing a deadlock today, with the
Germans unable to get a sus-
tanned counteroffensive rolling,
but still slowing the Red Army's
progress with vicious and re-
peated counterattacks.
Since the Russian offensive started
November 10 on the Stalingrad front
and six days later on the central
front no important German progress
has been reported in the effort to
restore Nazi positions.
Military observers expressed be-
lief, however, that any deadlock
would be shortlived They asserted
that as the winter deepened, increas-
ing German difficulties more than
Russian. the opportunity would
come for the Red Army to deal
heavy new blows before the German
command could extricate its forces
now in difficulties between the Don
and Volga Rivers west of Stalingrad
and around Rzhev.
The Red Army now has massed
artillery along its newly-won lines
and Is battering enemy. concentra-
tons south and west of Stalingrad
and keeping up protective fire
northwest of the city while the Rus
slams consolidate their positions.
Better Luck for Nazis.
The Germans, who were caught
unprepared year ago by an I'M
usually severe winter, had better
luck this year. The winter has been
mild so far, permitting them to keep
their tanks in operation. Although
the first SHOWS have fallen, they
have left only thin coat and heavy,
clogging drifts have not yet oc-
Cured.
There are no signs, however, that
the enemy has been able to improve
his position between the Don and
Army offensive.
Despite the loss of 100000 men
in their siege of Stalingrad and ga
600 more in the Stalingrad area dur
ing the Russian Observation-Disclosures
announced officially by the Russians
the Germans were able to launch
"a powerful attack with consider
able forces" south of the city yester-
day, communique said.
The Russians reported that this
attack and three subsequent coun-
terattacks were thrown back with
the Germans losing some 900 officers
and men.
Nazi Deaths Put at $4,000.
A special weekend communicate
said 5000 Germans had been killed
and 74,500 captured since the start
of the Stalingrad and central front
offensives less than a month ago.
The Red Army added 400 more
Germans to this toll west of Rzhev
on the central front yesterday in
repulsing three counterattacks, the
AAANAA6Alo SoAiilOlllQuC lCpOl tcu. LII
the region of Velikie Luki, where
the Russians have advanced to
within 80 miles OF the Latvian
border, the enemy battalion sue
ceeded in pushing back advanced
Russian units, but was surrounded
later and now faces liquidation,
the Russians said.
Russian troops have occupied sew
eral enemy strongpoints west of
Rzhev in the last four days and
killed about 700 Germans. the mid
day communique said. Only IS pris-
oners were taken, but a large guam
tity Of materiel was seized, it was
reported.
On other sectors of the central
front, the communique said. Russian
forces were consolidating newly won
positions and undertaking some Of
fensive engagements.
Fighting still continued in the fac
tory area of Stalingrad and Soviet
assault detachments were reported
to have dislodged the Germans from
(See RUSSIAN, Page Acid