RUSSIAN GAINS ABOVE KRIVOI ROG

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 272, 16 November 1943, Page 3

RUSSIAN GAINS ABOVE KRIVOI ROG

NAZI COUNTER-MOVE

Over 300,000 Enemy Troops In Dnieper Bend N.Z. Press Association —Copyright Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 15. Russian sources are still silent regarding the progress of the battle within the Dnieper bend, where the Germans are said to have over 300,000 troops employed. The German High Command, however, admitted that the Russians are making break-through attempts and also that a breach has been made above Krivoi Rog. The Germans did not claim that this breach had been sealed up. Berlin radio commentator, Sertorius, stated that the Russians, advancing with superior forces, gained ground north of Krivoi Rog and were only halted by a German counter-thrust. He added that the Russian pressure on the whole of this sector continued.. The British United Press correspondent in Moscow says that the Germans are making their greatest effort in the Pastov region, where enormous forces of tanks, infantry and cavalry are interlocked in battle. The Germans are striving to stem this advance, which is threatening to break the backbone of their communications in the Ukraine. A break-through in this area would bring the Russians almost 250 miles west of the Germans in the Kremenchug area, in the rear of the big battle at Krivoi Rog. This might enclose the Germans in the Dnieper trap or force a headlong retreat. The correspondent adds that, notwithstanding the great battles, the weather is holding up the Russians who are fighting the last phases ot their autumn campaign. The great winter offensive is almost ready, ine Russians along the whole front are consolidating their positions and making final preparations. Reuters correspondent in Moscow says the Russians are now five miles from the railway between Gomel ana Ryechitsa and seven miles from RyeChitsa itself. . Paris radio declared that crack Russian forces are attacking in tne Neval and Gomel sectors, where tne Germans at some points are forced to modify their lines. A German communique admits that the .Russians have penetrated the German Positions south-west of Gomel. ANOTHER EXCHANGE BRITISH-JAPANESE PRISONERS Rec. 2.30 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 15. According to Berlin radio, an official announcement was made in Tokyo that a second* exchange ot British and Japanese prisoners or war may be arranged before tne enu of the year. Negotiations with Britain were progressing.