RUMANIAN TRAP

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 56, 4 September 1944, Page 2

RUMANIAN TRAP

HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES

- LONDON, September 3. The head of the Rumanian delegation, Mr. Patrascanu, said there were about 600,000 German troops in Rumania when the Russian offensive began. The Germans withdrew five of nine armoured divisions from Rumania before the Russian offensive opened. Moscow radio, in a special announcement, said that troops of the Second and Third Ukrainian Fronts between August 20 and August 31 killed a total of 210,000 enemy troops and took prisoner more than 208,000 including 77,000 Germans,. The Russians also destroyed or captured 351 planes, 956 tanks and self-propelled guns, 5576 other guns of various calibres, more than 46,000 lorries and many thousands of mortars and machine-guns.

According: to provisional data, 50,000 Germans were taken prisoner by the Rumanian army during the campaign, including nine generals and 652 officers. The Rumanian army on August 30 began operations for the deliverance of north Transylvania, captured a number of villages, and advanced six miles. \

TITO HOLDS MAIN FORCE,

The main German forces in the Balkans are in Yugoslavia engaged in holding m check large guerrilla armies under Marshal Tito. About 12 German divisions, together with quisling , Croat and Serbian forces, are engaged in this huge task. The Russian army is likely to advance rapidly through southern Rumania towards Yugoslavia, but some 150 miles still separate it from northern Serbia, and the German forces may be in the way. The Balkan situation, however, is probably capable 'of undergoing kaleidoscopic changes. Heavy fighting is going on in the Presov sector in eastern Slovakia, according to a communique issued by the commander of the Free Czechoslovak forces in Slovakia. This is 60 miles south-west of Sanok, where the Russians are. . ~

Scattered fighting is also taking place elsewhere in Slovakia. The army has taken the oath to the Czechoslovak Republic in accordance with the regulations. -• ■ -. ; ~Th<Y German news agency said that the Slovak President, Father Tiso, has relieved the cbmmahder-hvchief, General Catlos, of his' post. The new Hungarian Prime Minister. General Lakatos, broadcasting over Budapest radio, said: "We are determined to defend .our frontiers. I can say that as the result of personal contact with the German command we will receive appropriate assistance." CLEARING OF RUMANIA. A special communique from the Rumanian general staff says: "Rumania has been liberated from German troops. The Rumanian army, with the co-operation of 'the Red Army, after eight days of heavy battles accomplished the task. The j speed with which the expulsion of the enemy was accomplished is a sign of ! the army's deep attachment to King Michael, and the Rumanians' love of liberty. The Rumanian army is now ready for new tasks." I The Moscow communique says that the Russians south-east of Bucharest have completely cleared the enemy on. the northern bank of the Danube' j from the vicinity of Oltenita to the area of Fetesti, both, of which were : occupied, together with 70 other [ localities. I The Red Army south-west and south of Constanta reached the Bulgarian, border on the sector from the Danube to the Black Sea. The Russians in this area occupied more than 60 localities, including six railway stations. The Red Air Force on Friday night made a mass raid on Kretinga, successfully bombed military traffic, started fires, and caused explosions. Troops of the Third Ukrainian Front captured Major-General Werner Hepp. commander, of the German Ninth Infantry Division.