NAZIS SURPRISED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 86, 8 October 1943, Page 5

NAZIS SURPRISED

REVERSE AT NEVEL

DEEP SOVIET PENETRATION (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) Ree. 11.30 a.m. LONDON, October 7. Berlin radio announced that Soviet forces, after fierce fighting, penetrated the German lines north of Nevel, which is a railway junction south-west of Velikie Lulri. Messages from Moscow correspondents today say that the Russians have taken the Germans completely by surprise in this sector, which throughout the summer remained quiet. Berlin radio stated that the newRussian offensive was announced early yesterday morning, and addec>:, "The Russians used strongl tank, infantry, and air formations, their objective being Nevel. Extremely fierce and fluctuating fighting developed in great depth owing to the character of the terrain. "The Russians, despite heavy losses, threw in formations repeatedly. A strong tank group accompanied the infantry and broke into the German lines north of Nevel. The struggle

with these forces continued all night long." FLARE UP IN NORTH. Violent fighting flared up again yesterday in the north sector of the Russian front, where huge troop movements had been observed for several days, says Vichy radio. The Russians attacked in the morning, aiming to cross the Volkhov on a broad front. They gained a foothold, but were forced back by artillery. According to Paris radio, the Russians attacked eight times west of Leningrad, but fhe Germans claim that the attacks were repulsed. The Russians are regrouping in the Zaporozhe. and Melitopol areas, where large-scale troop concentrations foreshadow renewed Red Army activity.