RUSSIANS IN LUGA OUTSKIRTS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 118, 14 February 1944, Page 5

RUSSIANS IN LUGA OUTSKIRTS

Enemy Position Worsens At Krivoi Rog

LONDON, February 1 3. Reports ‘from Moscow say that in the north of Russia Red Army troops have reached the outskirts of Luga and are continuing to roll back the enemy between Lake Ilmen and Lake Peipus. The position of Krivoi Rog, the main German bastion in the Dnieper bend, is also reported to have worsened since futther Russian advances east and south of the town. Vanguards are even stated to be pushing west of Krivoi Rog. . p. The liquidation of the 10 encircled divisions in the Kanev pocket is stated in Moscow to be nearing an end as the ring tightens every hour. A few days ago the Germans had aerodromes, but now this slender link with the outside is no longer available to them. Narva is reported to be practically destroyed by fighting raging on both sides of the river.-

General von Maunstein is still throwing in tanks and infantry in a desperate effort to relieve the trapped German forces in the Kanev pocket. Yesterday he lost 2000 men, and 70 tanks. „ , The extermination of General Stemmerman’s /rapped divisions is being carried out with systematic thoroughness, not paralleled even at Stalingrad. The trap has been split into four sections, and practically every square yard is being pattern shelled by Red Army artillery, often at point-blank range. Moscow radio says the Cossacks have joined in the massacre. Grip on Communications. General Malinovsky is extending his grip on the Krivoi Rog communications and in conjunction with General Koniev. is preparing for the final attack. Berlin radio quoted a German war correspondent’s report from Krivoi Rog saying that swaying battles are raging at Krivoi Rog, where the Germans are defending greatly shortened lines. These troops have for months endured agonies. Scourged by icy storms, they had to fight from flooded holes, and then when they evacuated Nikopol they hhd to wade knee-deep through the Dnieper marshes. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent reports' that the Russians advancing over muddy roads from Nikopol toward Kherson have encountered new German defence lines. The assumption is that the' Germans are preparing to make a determined stand at the distant approaches to Odessa.