RED ARMY FLAG IN TIERGARTEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 101, 1 May 1945, Page 5

RED ARMY FLAG IN TIERGARTEN

May Day Aspiration

TO ALLOW OF VICTORY SALUTE IN MOSCOW

N.Z.P.A.—Copyright—Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, April 30. Red Army battle flags to-night are planted in the Tiergarten and Unter den Linden, report Moscow correspondents, all of whom declare that Marshals Zhukov and Koniev are redoubling their efforts to complete the subjection of Berlin so as to allow of a tremendous victory salute by the guns of Moscow to-morrow to coincide with the May Day celebrations. Reuters correspondent, on the other hand, says German resistance is still considerable and the slaughter of defenders to-day reached a new level as garrison commanders recklessly threw more and more troops into costly counter-attacks. The Germans attempted to throw parachute reserve troops into the battle area, but they either landed wide of the German garrison or were quickly mopped up after landing in Russian-held sectors., The British United Press Moscow correspondent says Red Army tanks and guns, now heavily reinforced for the final battle, are rolling down Berlin streets three abreast towards the last core of German resistance. Some of the most bitter battles are raging in burning ruins. The Unter den Linden is now littered with the bodies of unshaven men of the Volkssfrirm and Grenadiers. The Germans are being broken up into small groups and their losses in the past 24 hours are likely to be the highest they have ever suffered. A Russian reporter, cabling from Berlin to Moscow, said, "Berlin is pretty thoroughly destroyed."

Russian artillery and the Red Air Force Ito-day were ordered to blast the Germans from the remaining strongpoints in Berlin. Russian guns and planes are ceaselessly hammering German positions, guided by salvoes of rockets from ground positions. Hitler Youth Movement members have been found behind the Russian lines telephoning Russian positions to the German artillery. Hamburg radio says the Russians are heavily bombing antiaircraft towers in the Zoo and bunkers in the Government quarters. The radio claims that German pilots are battling through strong opposition, dropping supplies and ammunition to the defenders. To-night's Soviet communique announces the capture of the Reichstag, on which the Russians have hoisted a banner of victory. Marshal Zhukov's troops have also captured the central post office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and upwards of 200 blocks of buildings in central Berlin. "North of Berlin," the communique adds, "Marshal Zhukov's troops captured eight large localities, including Zehdenick, also Loewenberg and Nasseneide." . "Marshal Koniev's troops, fighting in the streets in the southwestern part of Berlin, occupied the Wilmersdorf district, also the Wessskreutz railway station, and, fighting in the streets in the southeast of Berlin, they completed the destruction of the encircled German force west of Wendischbuchholz." Hamburg radio to-night broadcast a special Vansmission devoted to "Our glorious, gay Berlin now tumbling into ruin and ashes; over which at any moment the enemy's flag may fly." A strong appeal was made to German sentiment against a background of appropriate music.