HUNS ADMIT GRAVITY OF UKRAINE THRUST

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 56, 7 March 1944, Page 5

HUNS ADMIT GRAVITY OF UKRAINE THRUST

VIOLENT BATTLES

15,000 Germans Killed In

Two Days

N.Z. Press Association—Copyright

Rec. 1 p.m

LONDON, Mar. 6

Some 50 German divisions, totalling perhaps 500,000 to 600,000 men, are involved in the enemy-held area threatened by the Russians in their new Ukrainian break-through, says the Exchange Telegraph's military correspondent. He adds that the situation for the Germans, serious as it undoubtedly is, does not yet indicate an immediate catastrophe.

The Germans have oeen forced to admit the. . gravity.. of Marshal Zhukov's big thrust in southern Russia. Berlin radio to-night dwelt particularly on the new, big, tanksupported Russian drive north-west of Svenigorodka, marking the end of the Red Army line sweeping towards the Lwow-Odessa railway.

The radio said: "The German lines have been entered ansi fighting is in full swing.. The Russians launched an attack with all .th.e.ir.:available forces. The attack is not intended merely to . tie .down. the German forces in that area but to effect an advance parallel with the Soviet units racing towards Tarnopol."

Powerful Soviet Blows

A German High Command communique states that the main Russian break-through attacks are now centred in the Svenigorodka sector, where the-;: - .Russians—"-, y eafeKday. launched 'powerful/ thrusts. The battle against the advancing Russians south of Shepetovka has reached a degree of great violence. The Germans in both sectors are engaged in heavy defensive fighting.

Berlin radio's commentator von Hammer claimed that Marshal Zhukov had not achieved a decisive break through, despite initial successes and even deep penetration of German positions at some points. He added that Zhukov, so far as is known, has about 35 infantry divisions at his disposal, at leas! eight tank corps and a large number of motorised units. "Most of his tank troops consist of guard divisions of: the Red Army which have been rested for some weeks and which is a further indication that the enemy believes the time has come to give the coupe de grace to the German Army in the east," he added. "The immediate objectives of the new Soviet offensive are unmistakable— the enemy seeks to gain south-eastern Poland, the Ukrainian province of Odessa, also the western part of the Rumanian Carpathian Mountains."

Vast Booty Captured

In two days fighting on the First Ukrainian Front 15,000 Germans were killed and 3000 taken prisoner, says to-night's Russian communique. It adds: "Troops of the First Ukrainian Front" to-day captured district centres in the TarnopoT region and in the Kamenets-Podolsk region, and in the fighting occupied over 200 localities and seven rail stations. Our troops cut a very important communication line—from Proskurov to Tarnopol. Incomplete figures show that troops of the First Ukrainian Front on March 4 and, 5 destroyed 203 tanks, 250 guns', over 600 machine-gun's, 2000 lorries and 30 armoured cars. The enemy left 15.000 corpses on the battlefield. Over 3000 prisoners were captured."

The Berlin military spokesman, quoted by the Stockholm Telegra* Bureau, said exceedingly heavy battles were expected in Polish border districts following the new Russian drive.