DRIVES TO WEST OF KHARKOV

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24022, 10 August 1943, Page 5

DRIVES TO WEST OF KHARKOV

Russians Advance Swiftly GAINS ON BRYANSK f , FRONT (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m) LONDON, Aug. 9. The Russian drive to the north-west of Kharkov continues g t remarkable speed. On a 60-mile front three main Russian jpearheads are driving forward. The most northerly spearhead is moving along the Byel-gorod-Sumy railway, and has reached a station- 20 miles from Sumy. The second spearhead has taken Bogodukhov, 35 miles north-west of Kharkov, and another place about 12 miles further W est; and the third thrust has taken the Russians to within 16 miles north-west of the city proper. The fall of Bogodukhov puts the Russians within 15 miles of the main German retreat line to the west, leading to Poltava and Kiev. The Germans now have an escape gap of about 50 miles south of Kharkov. All three railway lines leading to the north a nd north-west from Kharkov have now been cut by the Russians. Two other main lines are still open, but most of the great railway system of which Kharkov is the centre is now in Russian hands. Substantial progress was also made yesterday on the Riyansk front, to the north of Byelgorod. The Russians advanced from four to eight miles and freed more than 130 places. They are now about 20 miles along the Orel-Bryansk railway. Successes west of Kromy, itself 25 miles south-west of Orel, have brought the Russians to a little more than 50 miles aouth-east of Bryansk.

Reuter's Moscow correspondent eoints out that the capture of Bogodukhov has cut the Kharkov-Sumy railway. The Russians yesterday captured Bolshik, 16 miles north-west of Kharkov, and after by-passing Kharkov from the north and cutting two railways north-west of the city, they struck westward to Bolshaya Pisaevka, 18 miles from Kharkov, thereby cutting a third railway, which runs north-west and links Kharkov, with the Dnieper river. This wide pincers movement, which is intended to encircle Kharkov by cutting all the railways leading to the west and north-west, is developing Simultaneously with frontal thrusts south from Zolochev. The Stockholm correspondent of “The Times” says that the Russians are also moving from the Chuguyev bridgehead, and if they succeed in extending this army south of Kharkov, the German base there will have to be evacuated to avoid complete envelopment. Threat to Sumy Reuter’s correspondent in Moscow reveals that it was the upper arm of the Red Army thrust which captured Graivoron, 45 miles west of Byelgorod. and outflanked Kharkov from the north. He adds that the Russians who are pushing on from Graivoron are now definitely threatening the important town of Sumy, which controls the road to Kiev. The corresponded reports that other uussian units are striking direct for Kharkov along the main railway from Byelgorod. They have already occupied a township on the railway 32 miles from Kharkov. The Moscow correspondent of the British* United Press reports that Cyjjffiill, Valentine, and Matilda participating in the Russian drive for the liberation of Kharkov and the Ukraine. They are part of endless columns of Russian tanks and lorries which are pouring through the gaps south and south-west of Byelgorod. The correspondent adds: “The advance is speeding up and leading Russian motorised units are wiping out scores of small German garrisons. Fresh Russian infantry and motorised units are smashing their way forward along a path blasted by greatly superior Russian assault aeroplanes. Russian tank forces, after penetrating the deep German defences in the Byelgorod area, are now roaming at will on the wide spaces of the Ukrainian steppe. , . “General Rokossovsky’s duplicate twin drive on the Bryansk front, 200 miles farther north, is also progressing towards Bryansk itself. The Russians in this area are thrusting westward along the railway from Orel and louth-westward along the main road. The Russians so far on this sector have made their biggest gains south of the

Orel-Bryansk railway, including the capture of Gnezdilvo, 14 miles west of Kromy. The Russians killed 1000 Germans when they fought their way across a river west of Kromy to storm strongly-fortified German positions.” Correspondents agree that the Germans both round Kharkov and on the front east of Bryansk are offering strong, organised resistance, and are being pushed back only by overwhelming Russian pressure. Call to Guerrillas “Red Star” has issued a special call to the guerrillas of White Russia to prepare for new battles. “The echo of the guns roaring beyond Orel and Byelgorod is heard at Kiev and on the Dnieper and the Dvina, to the 3,000,000 White Russians under the German heel. We are coming soon,” it said. The paper adds that the Germans left Byelgorod a man-made wilderness. The Germans posted evacuation notices in Byelgorod. ordering the population to leave by July 29. The Germans tracked down inhabitants hiding in cellars and in the woods with bloodhounds, and forced them to trek to Kharkov. One Axis-controlled radio has suggested that the Russians’ aim is the freeing of the great wheat lands of the Ukraine before the harvest, and the Stockholm correspondent of the British United Press goes as far as to say that Hitler has already discussed with his generals the desirability of a withdrawal to the Dniepet river, or even farther west.

FINLAND AND THE WAR LEADERS MEET IN HELSINKI PEACE SAID TO HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED LONDON, Aug. 8. "A conference of extreme importance lor Finland’s future policy was held at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki yesterday,” says Reuter’s correspondent m Stockholm, quoting reports reaching Usually well-informed Swedish circles. “Although no details of the outcome cf the meeting are so far available, well-informed circles declare that the object was to examine the possibility of getting Finland out of the war as quickly as possible. "Those present at the conference, which was called by the president (Dr. Ryti), included prominent Finnish military and civilian leaders. It is not known whether Field-Marshal Mannerheirn attended. . "Reports reaching Stockholm indicate that an increasing number of prominent people in Finland are demanding that the Government take steps to save the country The fall of Mussolini, the recent Russian victories, and above all Sweden’s cancellation of German transit traffic have convinced even the Jnost reluctant Finn that Germany has lost the war.” WIDESPREAD RIOTS IN PARIS french patriots clash WITH GERMANS LONDON, Aug. 8. .The French Committee of National Liberation has announced that hand-to-hand fighting between French patriots jjnd German troops occurred in Paris. The German commander has cancelled ar my leave and established machineShn posts at the intersections of all the wain streets. Widespread riots followed daylight attacks against German miliary personnel.

new moves by ALLIES «OCCURRING SHORTLY” MINERS ASKED FOR MORE COAL LONDON, Aug. 8. Mr Arthur Horner, president of the South Wales Miners’ Federation, said that recent Government revelations t° the national executive of the Mine workers’ Federation of Great Britain indicated that more coal was needed "in view of new military moves occurri Mr Horner” added that the next few months would be crucial. RENNES RAIDED IN DAYLIGHT LONDON. Aug. 8 Boston bombers to-day carried out a daylight raid on Rennes in northern France. This city is an important mdustrial centre and is situated about 4U miles inland. It produces U-boat engines and parts. Hits were scored on sheds, barracks, and other large buildings. ... The attack was carried out in two waves. The first wave went in at roof top height and dropped delayed action bombs, and the second attacked from several hundred feet up. A considerable amount of anti-aircraft fire was encountered but there was no fighter opposition. One bomber did not return. • GOERING’S POWERS (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON. August 8. Powers of enormous magnitude are now entrusted to Goering, according to Spanish press reports from Berlin. These reports have strengthened the rumour that Goering is acting as "middleman” between the German army leaders and Hitler, while the military take over essential powers for defence. Ban on “Daily Worker.”—“The ban on the export of the ‘Daily Worker will be lifted from to-morrow.” says the Press Association, "Application for the removal of the ban, which was imposed in May. 1940, was made shortly after the republieation of the ‘Daily Worker' in September, 1942, A number of influential unions support the application." —London, August 8. Italian Liner Burnt Out.— Reuter's correspondent at Allied Headquarters in North Africa says that the Italian liner Lombardi has been burnt out in Naples harbour—London, August 8.