Late War News GERMAN BASTION FALLS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 123, 19 February 1944, Page 8

Late War News GERMAN BASTION FALLS

Staraya Russa ABANDONMENT BY ENEMY LONDON, February 18. The Germans are still falling back in northern Russia, and they .have abandoned .Staraya Russa. The German High Command in making this announcement say it was done to shorten the front and thus obtain strategic reserves. They claimed that the evacuation took place last night without interference, and that all supplies and military installations were removed before their troops left. Staraya Russa lies 10 miles south of Lake Ilmen and HO miles east of Pskov. It covers the approaches to Latvia and Kstonia. . .. ~ General von Mannstem is facing the greatest crisis of his career as huge Russian forces freed after the destruction of the German divisions trapped in the Kanev area prepare for a new all-out drive westward, says Reuter’s Moscow correspondent. The Germans between Kherson and the Pripet Marshes are holding vital lines, the bending of which would endanger the security of the whole armies. The Red Army is favourably placed to attack the German line at Krivoi Rog. The Russians meanwhile are continuing to advance below Luga and have the highway between Shimskaya and Pskov under fire. The Soviet forces north of the highway are now 25 miles from the railway between Pskov and Staraya Paris radio reports that the Red Army resumed the offensive north-west and south-west of Vitebsk.