Defeat At Leningrad

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 16, 20 January 1944, Page 5

Defeat At Leningrad

SOVIET'S HEAVY BLOWS

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) . Rec. 9 a.m. LONDON, January 19. The heavy guns of Russia's naval base at Kronstadt Island have joined in the Leningrad offensive, shelling the Germans on the mainland. The Germans have rushed up reinforcements and are fighting fiercely for every yard. Marshal Stalin has announced that in the new Russian offensive south-west of Leningrad, Russian troops have broken through the deep German defences to a depth of some seven to 12 miles, and have widened the breach in the German fortifications to from 20 to 25 miles. Today they carried by storm a town which the Germans had converted into a fortress, and also an important road centre. The Russians have inflicted a heavy defeat on seven German infantry divisions, and have captured a big group of the German long-range guns which have been bombarding Leningrad. The new successes were saluted in Moscow by twenty salvos from 224 guns, a form of salute reserved for the biggest victories. • The Russian commander on this front is the man who broke the German ring around the city a year ago.

The Exchange Telegraph's Moscow correspondent says the restoration of safe communications between Leningrad and Kronstadt may be one of the first results of the Russian breakthrough west of Leningrad. The successful widening of the bridgehead will mean that traffic between Leningrad and Kronstadt could pass most of the way overland instead of through the mine-infested, shellshowered fairway from Leningrad port. The Red air force entered the battle on the front south of Oranienbaum. Bombers are vigorously attacking the German fortifications. "We are striking blow after blow after breaking the German line south of Oranienbaum," reports "Red Star." "The enemy is suffering heavy losses. Much equipment has been found abandoned in the captured fortified positions. The prisoners coming in are still dazed and scared by the Russian barrage." NORTH OF LAKE ILMEN. According to Vichy radio, the heaviest fighting is occurring north of Lake

the Russian infantry would have to penetrate. Every artillery lesson learned in more than two years was used. A front line reporter, ' describing the opening of the barrage, said that when the Russian guns spoke the earth boiled for several miles. Earth rose up under the shells like fountains; the enemy gun positions flew into the sky, and their minefields, exploded. Nothing could withstand the Russian fire.