WIDE VICTORY ON DNIEPER BEND

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 115, 10 February 1944, Page 5

WIDE VICTORY ON DNIEPER BEND

LONDON, February 9

The capture of the town of Nikopol, the famous manganese mining centre, and the complete elimination of the Germans large Dnieper bridgehead opposite Nikopol were announced m two Soviet orders of the day yesterday. The victories have opened the way for ?i great new drive to clear the enemy from the whole of the lower Dnieper area. Moscow radio comments: “It is ,difficult to foresee all the consequences of the Nikopol victory.” The capture of Nikopol m'eans that Hitler has lost greatest source of manganese, estimated in London at more than half of the Germans’ requirements of this vital metal. Without manganese it

is impossible to make high-grade The Germans’ bridge-head battle began five days ago and ended with the rout of seven German divisions. The hemmed-in Germans attempted to escape by a river crossing 30 miles , below Nikopol. Russian mortars and planes sank many craft, and hundreds of the enemy were drowned in the icy waters. The remnants are being hotly pursued. The storming of Nikopol was completed less than 40 hours after Marshal Stalin had announced the opening of General Malinovsky’s 100-mile offensive, launched north-east of Nikopol and Krivoi Rog. The centre of the city was reported to be jammed witn. hastily-loaded army trucks and heavy equipment which the Germans had not been able to get away in time. Moscow later .reported that German forces trapped east of Nikopol were being liquidated. Large German forces outside the trap are in disorderly flight to the south-west.