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"Positions Consolidated"
Today's Russian communique
states:—"Our troops In a number
of sectors on the Kharkov front
last conducted offensive
night ope
rations. Our troops in the Isyurn-
Barrenkovg region continued their
stubborn fighting and inflicted
heavy losses. There was nothing
of importance elsewhere."
? The Russian communique Issued!
late last night states:—"The Rus
sians west of Kharkov have consoli
dated their positions. They re
pelled enemy infantry and tank'
counter-attacks, and in some sec
tors fought offensive engagements. ;
. There has been stubborn fight
ing in the Isyum-Barvenkova
direction, In which the Russians!
repelled counter-attacks and dealt
counter-blows against the enemy.
"The Russians, under order of
the Russian High Command, have
left Kerch Peninsula. The troops
and their equipment were evacua
ted in full order.
'?Fifty German planes were de
atroyed on Friday. We lost 14."
Testeraay's German cornmu-]
Blque claims that the Russian mass i
attacks around Kharkov, which
began on May 12 with 20 infantry
divisions, three cavalry divisions,
and 15 tank brigades, have com
pletely collapsed with very heavy
Russian losses of men and material.
"The German counter-attack.
.which started last Sunday.'drove':
to the rear of the strongest Rus
sian army and cut its supply line," ,
it continues. "German, Ruma
nian, and Hungarian troops, with
strong formations of the Luftwaffe,
have been counter-attacking in
the past two days along the whole
of a hitherto defensive battle zone.
"The Russians south-east of
Lake Ilmen continue their stub- ,
born attacks, but without success,
and they are sustaining heavy {
losses. ? j'
"German fighters and bombers)1
have inflicted heavy damage both!
over the battlefield and in the rear '
of the Russians. For the week :
ended on Thursday the enemy lost :
452 planes and the Luftwaffe 45." ,
The Berlin radio claims that the
Kharkov battle has assumed gigan
tic dimensions. The period of
German defensive fighting is over,
and new extensive operations are
progressing. I
The German drive in the Isytum-i'
Barvenkova. sector has apparently ('
been halted, according to latest '
| dispatches from the front. A Rus- ? <
sian division la one day repulsed '
11 attacks and killed 3.000 Ger-ii
mans.
Moscow announced yesterday!)
that the Germans were thrown :i
back several miles after the failure: <
of their attacks in a sector en the
Isyum-Barvenkova front. !,
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