Russians Enlarge Drive Across Donets

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 32, 8 February 1943, Page 5

Russians Enlarge Drive Across Donets

LONDON, February 7. The Russians' great offensive in southern Russia is now battering at the gates of Rostov, closing in on the last Axis troops in the Caucasus, and threatening to drive a wedge between the Kharkov . front and the Donets basin. In the great industrial area of the Donets basin the Russians have greatly enlarged their two bridgeheads across the Donets north-west of Rostov. A Soviet special communique stated: "On February 6 in the Ukraine Soviet troops, after fighting fierce engagements, occupied the towns and railway stations t)f Lisichansk, Barvenkova (80 miles further west), and Balakleya. South ot Rostov Soviet troops occupied the town and railway station ot Bataisk. Other Soviet troops reached the shores of the Sea of Azov and occupied the town and harbour of Yeisk.

Following their capture of Barvenkova, one of the points from which the Germans started their offensive last spring, the Russians have continued their southward drive, and one correspondent says the results might be an even greater tragedy for the enemy than the destruction of the Sixth Army at Stalingrad. The German forces at Rostov and in the Donets Basin consist of many divisions which have been greatly reinforced since November. Some of the crack German troops and German tank units are trying to hold up the Russian offensive, but day after day the deep salient is becoming narrower and narrower, and the enemy's position becomes more acute with every new Russian success. The capture of Barvenkovo cut the railway from Kharkov to the Donets salient, and it now appears that the Germans have only one railway on which to rely to get supplies through. The longer the Ger-, mans stay in the salient the greater becomes their danger. , The capture of Bataisk has brought our allies within sight of Rostov. The river, which is one mile wide, presents a serious obstacle to the Russians on the south side, but the Germans are - already hinting that they may have to clear out of the city. The ■ enemy fought bitterly for Bataisk and ;.left the town in flames. * Further south, the Eussians have split into two the remnants of the German Caucasus army, and it can now be only a matter of time before the enemy are flung right out f of the Caucasus. 1 At the other end of the southernfront the Russians are pressing on I towards Kharkov and Kursk, two of (the main bases of the enemy defence i line The nearest Russian forces were -20 miles from Kursk three days ago, • and the Russians have captured two large towns less than 45 miles from Kharkov. The latest news is that the Russians have captured Fatezh, north of Kursk, and cut the road from Kursk to-Orel. They have also captured the town of Azov, near the mouth of the : Don, liquidating the last centre of enemy resistance on the left bank ot the Don.

and the remainder retreated. The Germans flung in waves of bombers in tens and fifteens, attempting to hold up the push. Russian planes, cleared the skies for the advancing troops. At dusk on February 5 the Germans retreated to Bataisk, which they set on fire. Soviet tank-borne troops broke into the town. Their onrush was so violent that they confused the defenders who believed the Red Army was still distant. The Russians ferreted out Germans amid the glow of the burning houses, simultaneously smashing reserves coming up to assist the Germans, and by dawn on Saturday Bataisk had fallen. -