BITTER STRUGGLES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 127, 10 March 1945, Page 3

BITTER STRUGGLES

THE FIGHTING IN KUSTRIN.

RUSSIAN FRONT ON BERLIN,

NAZI CAPITAL 28 MILES AWAY.

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) (Rec. 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 9. The Red Army Command obviously plans to tear the fortress of Kustrin from the German defence front before going over to the offensive. Fighting is going on in the centre of Kustrin, and bitter struggles are being fought out for every house. This was von Hammer’s description of the activity in the vital central sector, and he is one of several German commentators who all emphasise that the Russians are definitely in full action in the Kustrin sector.

The German News Agency commentator, von Olberg, said: “The fact that the Russians are undoubtedly preparing a large-scale offensive between Kustrin and Krossen is indicated not only by attacks against Kustrin but by attacks west of Lebus.” Von Olberg said Guben had been liberated, which, as the Associated Press points out, is the first indication that the Russians ever held that town, which i§i at the extremity of Marshal Koniev’s north-west flank.

A German war correspondent, speaking from the central Oder front to-night over the Berlin radio, said the Red Army was pouring reinforcements day and night across the bridge over the Oder. “The Russian attacks against Kustrin continue unabated, he said, “but as long as the enemy fails to break this corner stone of German resistance he will have to-defer the grand assault against Berlin.” An earlier German official spokesman said that the Russians, after extending the bridgehead west of the Oder to a depth of 10 miles and driving to within 28 miles of Berlin, launched attacks against Kustrin from all sides, Red Army artillery and bombers bombarding the town incessantly, part being enveloped by smoke and flames.