SHELLING ROSTOV DAY AND NIGHT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 35, 11 February 1943, Page 5

SHELLING ROSTOV DAY AND NIGHT

RED ARMY CLOSING IN Strategic Vastness Of The Russian Offensive N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 10. One million men and one thousand tanks and guns are involved in the great Soviet offensive which began deep in the south and is now spreading to the central front. The Russians are shelling Rostov day and night, while three columns are closing in on Kharkov. Other forces are less than 40 miles south of Orel. . Reuters Moscow correspondent says the strategic vastness of the operations make it difficult to see the Russian offensive as an organic whole, but here is the outline of the Soviet plan as it appears from recent movements: , , Firstly, in the south the Red Army is moppkig-up the Kuban country and aiming at the recapture of the naval base of Novorossisk. Secondly, two armies from the south and east are closing m on Rostov in order to seal off the Caucasus Thirdly, a vast outflanking movement has been launched from Isyum toward the Sea of Azov to draw a ring around the whole of the Donetz Basin and capture Stalino, Voroshilovgrad, Shakhtui and Taganrog. Fourthly, another ring is tightening around Kharkov; and, third ring is closing around Bryansk and Orel. Whole of Hitler's Line May Go When this gigantic plan is completed there will be nothing left of Hitler's line of strongholds which have been built at enormous cost in men and materials since the winter °f 1941. . „ Every fresh Soviet success provides proof that the Germans are being beaten by the_ rapidity of the Soviet thrusts, which take them completely by surprise. One example is that the German garrison at Kursk believed the Russians being held on the Shigry, miles distant, when actually they were hammering at the gates of town Similarly, the town of Ponyri was encircled .so rapidly that the Germans had no time to recover or destroy their vast stores before tne town was captured. Berlin racrlo reports violent fighting in the Novorossisk area, where the Russians have improved their positions and are continuing to launch powerful attacks against the German bridgehead opposite Keren Strait. Moscow radio says Kuban gueril- . las are making night raids in tne streets of Novorossisk and Krasnodar, hurling grenades, smashing up lorries and troop columns in tne streets, blowing up German-occupied houses, setting fire to food ana ammunition dumps, and knifing or strangling German officers and men. Most of these guerillas are tougn Kuban Cossacks. The Germans recently sent 800 men against them, but 300 of the Germans failed to return. The Cossacks, in tnree months, have killed 4500 Germans,