London, July 9. HE Germans -have retreated westwards in the Lepel region, leaving hundreds of dead on the battlefield, the latest So communique claims.
Russian forces fought without ceasing against tank and motorized units in the area of Novograd and Voljnsk and checked their advance to the east, according to the statement.
With "short, sharp blows" the Rus slang inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in the Polodsk sector, the announcement states. In the Lepel Fegion two German motorized: ments dnd four heavy and light artillery batteries are said to have been wiped out, The Russian alr force hammered German mechanized units and aerodromes day and night. destroying 102 German planes in combat and on the ground.
The Red Army has inflicted a big defeat on mechanized forces in the Jevel sector northeast of Minsk and northern arm of the Nozi thrust towards Smolensk and Moscow, the announcement continues.
The German thrust towards Leningrad in the north and towards Kiev in the south. appears to have been held up by counterattacks.
South of the Pripet marshes in the Novograd and Volnysk area the Russians were still holding te German drive directed at Kiev, capital of the Ukraine. Heavy fighting continued in the Barkovlich sector.
During Tuesday night the Russian alr force destroyed 62 enemy planes, losing seven. The Russians lost 10 planes in day operations.
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