LONDON SPECULATION

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

LONDON SPECULATION

Alternative Strategies (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 11. There is speculation in London as to whether the Russians are likely to continue attacking from the Rovno and Lutsk areas, or to make a series of attacks from between'Nikopol and Vinnitsa. Both strategies seem possible, but if only the latter is employed we may see the Russians drive south from Nikopol toward Kherson. When the German Eighth Army surrenders, large Russian forces will be released, and may make an attack on the railway south from Smyela toward Odessa. Observers consider it certain that the Russians will eventually attempt to cross the Bug and' cut the vital OdessarZhmerinka-Lvov railway. This would have the main object of splitting General von Mannstein’s forces into a series of isolated pockets and preventing an orderly withdrawal across the Dnieper into Bessarabia. SOVIET BOMBERS OUT (Received February 13, 9 p.m.) . LONDON, February 12. Moscow radio announced that Soviet bombers on Thursday night massraided the town and port of Kota, starting large fires. One plane is missing.