APPROACHING KRAKOW

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24329, 7 August 1944, Page 5

APPROACHING KRAKOW

Russian Gains In South STRYJ TAKEN (N-Z. Press Association— Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 8. Saturday night’s Soviet communique announced gains In all operational sectors, including the broadening of the Vistula bridgehead south-west of Sandomierz. The communique, which Incorporates an order of the day from Mr Stalin announcing the forcing of the Stryj river, in the Carpathian foothills, says: “North-west and west of Rezekne (in Latvia) our troops took 60 places. “North-west and west of Kaunas our troops took 40 places. "North-west and west of Siedlce (east of Warsaw) our troops took 70 places, 11 of which are large. “In the triangle at the confluence of, the San and Vistula rivers, our troops took the towns of Rozwadow and Tarnobrzeg (13 miles southwest of Sandomierz), besides 30 places and four rail junctions. “South-west of Sandomierz our troops continued to broaden their bridgeheads on the left bank of the Vistula. Some populated places were taken. “North-west of Rzeszow (on the railway running west to Krakow) 40 places and three railway stations were taken.

“Troops of the first Ukrainian front, forcing tRe river Stryj, took the town of the same name by storm. This is an important enemy stronghold in the Carpathian foothills. “There .were no other appreci-

able changes during the day.”

“Russian tanks and mobile guns are pouring through the gap in the Germans’ Vistula line in the Sandomierz sector,” reported Reuter’s Moscow correspondent on Saturday. "The Germans are striving to dam the flow, but the Luftwaffe’s attempt to interfere with the Russian bridgeheads has been frustrated over the German forward airfields or beaten back in, dog-fights over the river’s banks.

“Panic is - reported to be spreading among the Germans as the threat to Krakow develops. Advanced Russian cavalry patrols are reported to 'be 30 miles from the city.

“Heavy clouds of smoke are rising across the borders of East ' Prussia from oil dumps and ammunition stores under- attack by the Red Air Force, which is also striking traffic-congested road junctions." The Official German News Agency said: “The enemy has strongly reinforced his infantry and tank formations on the East Prussian frontier. Heavy fighting is going on against Soviet formations which have broken through north of Virbalis (near the Kaunss-Insterburg railway).” A German High Command communique refers to fighting in the Saudauen district, where it is claimed that Russian breast-through attempts had been largely foiled. Saudauen is the old name for the north-eastern part of East Prussia, extending from the Inster and Angerapp rivers to the Masurian lakes. POLISH "PATRIOTS IN ACTION Successes In Warsaw Reported LONDON, Aug. 4. While the Battle of the Vistula has developed into a day and night duel of fire which is scorching hundreds of miles of the river banks, the Polish underground army inside Warsaw has captured the entire Tarwmiesto section, which is described as the “old city" of Warsaw. “The Germans have massed forces to prevent new Soviet crossings of the Vistula,” says Reuter’s Moscow correspondent. “The Germans are using six-barrelled and ID-barrelled mortars in addition to artillery, but they are being forced to abandon more and more ■ areas on the west bank by the non-stop Soviet air attacks.’’ A communique received at- Polish headquarters in London from General Bors reveals the patriots’ capture of the Tarwmiesto section of Warsaw. The Polish flag already flies over the power station, gasworks, and general post office. The communique said:— “We are effectively fighting heavy tanks, a number of which have been destroyed, while others are now being used by our forces. “We ask the Polish authorities in London to broadcast a warning to the German commander in Warsaw that steps will be taken to retaliate in kind, against all German prisoners if _ the Germans continue to use Polish civilians as shields for German attacks.” The communique added that the Germans had recaptured the northern outer suburb of Zoliborz, where a stiff battle has developed round the general post office, which the Germans are trying to recapture. “The enemy is making all efforts to retain his hold on the main thoroughfares in order to keep them clear for his _ retreating columns. Volunteers are joining us, but we are short of arms and ammunition,” the message concluded. • The Official German News Agency s commentator, von Olberg. said that the German defence line six miles east of Warsaw, consisting of operational reserves had checked the Russian frontal assault. Another commentator, , von Hammer, said that a tense situation had developed south of Warsaw, which a German tank counter attack had remedied. PRESIDENT OF FINLAND MANNERHEIM TAKES OFFICE LONDON. Aug. 5. The bill to make Mannerheim President of Finland by decree passed the third reading in the Finnish Diet on Friday morning, says a Stockholm message. It is understood in London that the new Finnish Cabinet was completed on Friday night. “The Finnish Parliament, without a debate, unanimously confirmed Mannerheim’s appointment as president for six years,” says the Stockholm correspondent of “The Times." “Mannerheim delivered* the usual inaugural address without direct reference to the war, except that he dwelt on the country’s grave hour and his determination to preserve the nation’s ‘democratic independence.’ ’’ According to the Vichy radio, Mannerheim asked General Rudolf Walden to form a new Finnish Cabinet. Walden was Minister of Defence in the Ryti and .Linkomies Cabinets. While there has been no official announcement of the resignation of the Linkomies Cabinet, this was expected to follow the replacement of Ryti by Mannerheim. The Berlin radio earlier reported that the Finnish Government had resigned. It quoted what it described as an official statement from the Finnish Information Bureau, saying that - the members of the Government had placed their posts at the disposal of the new President, who had asked the Government to stay in office until another was formed.

Enemy Industries in Nanchukuo.— “Japan’s new industries in stolen Manchukuo are no safer than Japan’s war industries and war machine elsewhere.” said the United States War Secretary (Mr H. L. Stimson). He was referring to the Superfortress attacks, which, he said, had been carried out by substantial forces, and had scored direct hits on coke ovens and other fafeory buildings.—Washington, August 4.