FIGHTING NEAR EAST PRUSSIA

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24386, 12 October 1944, Page 5

FIGHTING NEAR EAST PRUSSIA

Memel Under Siege

BOMBARDMENT OF TILSIT AND RIGA (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 11. Two Russian armies are closing hr on Memel after the break-through to the Baltic coast on either side of the town. Large forces are reported to have reached the sea between Memel and the Latvian port of Libau, and vanguards ar« occupying coastal positions a few miles south of Memel. Other Russian forces are within 20 miles of the East Prussian town of Tilsit, and Soviet long-range guns are stated to be shelling the town. Among the places occupied by the Red Army is a town on the Kaunas-Tilsit highway, seven miles from the German frontier. The German garrison at Riga is still holding out, but.is being subjected to intense bombardment by the Red Air Force.

A Soviet communique issued last night said:— “Red Army troops have emerged on the Baltic coast , south of Libau and cut the line of re.treat to East Prussia of the enemy grouped in the Riga-Libau-Ventspils area. The Russians west of Kaunas have captured Sakiai, about 11 miles from the East Prussian border. North and south-east of Memel the Russians continued their successful offensive, occupied the towns and railway centres of Kratina and Taurage, and fought their way into 300 places. Our troops continued their offensive in the Riga direction and occupied more than 50 localities, including five railway stations. Some of the places mentioned are only seven miles east of Riga. The Russians continue to mop up the enemy in the southern part of Oesel Island. “Russian long-range bombers on Monday night made a mass raid on the ports of Libau and Riga, attacking German transports in the harbour, also military stores, and trains. Twelve German transports were in the harbour during the raid on Libau. Large fires were seen and explosions were

heard. One terrific explosion was observed in the area of the railway station. Large fires were observed; in the Riga dock area, where three, transports were moored. ’ “The air arm of the Baltic Fleet on Monday sank two transports and. other vessel? in. the Gulf of. Riga, and seriously damaged several’transports.” “The Russians’ advance to the-Bal-tic coast has brought them right up against Memel’s outer defences,” says the Moscow correspondent of “The Times.”. "It remains 1 - to be/'seen whether Memel is sufficiently belted and manned to! force a^pause - in General Bagramyan’s drive. Coastal objectives during the war have proved difficult to overwhelm, but Memel, on the land side, provides little .favouring defence. The town is not large enough to provide cover for many defenders or to necessitate the employment of large numbers for a direct frontal attack. • - “The drive to the Baltic Sea is in part a covering operation for the Russians’ powerful drive towards East Prussia. The capture on Monday of a 'town seven, miles .from the frontier on the Kaunas-Tilsit highway and the by-passing of Taurage on .the main road from Siauliai to Tilsit constitute an important broadening of . General Chernyakhov’s front against- German territory. - The Russians are already fighting inside the outer defences of this region, though,the river Nyeman lies before them here” • . The Moscow correspondent of the Associated states, that a storm of Russian artillery has broken on besieged Memefc Two Russian armies to the southward are pressing on towards Tilsit; ■

The Moscow radio- Uast night reported that a town on the banks of the Nyeman. a few miles from the East Prussian border, had been occupied. The Official German New» Agency’s commentator (von Hammer) said that seven Soviet armies are attacking on the East Prussian border. The attack is being led by 1000 tanks.

The Berlin radio reports that fighting has lla.ed up, south. of Warsaw, where the Russians have launched a strong attack from their Vistula bridgehead. The Russians captured arL important height and broke into the German lines.

U.S. TRADE WITH DOMINIONS

BRITAIN SAID TO BE LOSING CONTRACTS

LONDON. Oct. JO. “Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that long-term contracts running into millions of pouflds are being made between America and the British Dominions, and that similar contracts for purchases' in Britain are being lost through lack of facilities and a policy within his department?’ - asked Mr A. Edwards (Labour) in the House of Commons.

Dr. Hugh Dalton, replying in the negative, said that there was nothing preventing British manufacturers from discussing post-war contracts with prospective customers in the Dominions and other overseas markets. He was most anxious that they should do so. even though in many cases firm commitments and delivery dates might not be possible. Facilities were now being granted to manufacturers, subject to the overriding priority of war work, to prepare for peace-time production. also for visits to overseas countries.

Mr Edwards: Would you like to meet a gentleman from the Dominions who has not been able to spend one penny in this country or get any indication of delivery? • Mr E. Shinwell (Labour): Don’t you realise that American industrialists have a decided advantage over British industrialists because they have fairlv ample supplies of material and fai-Iv adeouate labour reserves? What is the r'ood of talking about 'ong-terrn contracts with the Dominions and other countries unless we have some assurance about materials, labour, and supplies?