Way Open To Kosice

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 134, 4 December 1944, Page 5

Way Open To Kosice

RED ARMY SUCCESS

<By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.)

See. 11.30 a.m. LONDON, Deeemfrer 3. The Russians today captured Miskdkz, which 13ie Soviet communique describes as a most important centre of Hungarian war industry, and Satoralja Ujhely, a town «n the Czech border, the fall of which opens the way for an advance to Kosice; The German news agency'states that the Germans and Hungarians abandoned Miskolcz in order to straighten out the front after the enemy had penetrated the southern part of the town. The news agency also said the Eussian drive- liad reached the area of Nagybajom, 14 miles west of Kaposvar and 65 miles from Austria^. Renter's Moscow eorrespGndent says that Marshal Tolbukhrn's mobile forces are driving fresh wedges into the crumbling1 German defences west of the Danube, The Russian vanguards,^moving* a? self-contained uni^, are exploiting to the maximum each new breakthrough. •

A Soviet communique says that' north-east -and south of Kaposvar, the Russians, continuing their offensive in Hungary, captured the towns of Dunafoldvar, Tamasi, Szent-LorincZj and over 80 other places. , The .Russians in Hungary TDetween November 23 and December 2 took 7875 prisoners, making -a^otal -of 21,745 Hungarians and Germans captured since November 8. : The effect of these blows is to play havoc with the 'German rail communications northwards. OTHER POINTS ATTACKED. Renter's Moscow .correspondent says that mobile units - are striking out against other road junctions and feeypoints in spite of mud-clogged roads, wrecked bridges, and defences. *

Though by their new advance the Russians are now less than 75 miles from the Austrian border, the 404mielong Balaton 'Lake presents a big obstacle.

General Ludendoiff once prophesied that Lake Balaton would be the scene of the decisive battle of eastern Europe the next war. Now the lake is

orilty SO miles aheaa of the advancing Rii.ssian armies.

The German news .agency's military commentator Tron Olber£, commenting on tApe Russian Order of the Day, says: "TSiei .Russians' .attempt at a huge encircjijig ( moKemerit in."western Hungary with Budapest -as its -ultimate object is assuming ■clear .shape. The Russians: * pressure dn 'Slovakia from the nortjh\ .and east is connected with, this movement. ~-■.■'■ ,

"Very strong Russian .reinforcements are arriving at the confluence of the Drava and (Danube ißhaars (south ofBezdai®, which is the Socal -point of: the"'"entire operation. 'TdlbuKhin is; apparently aiming :at building Tip a. bat-; tering ram of the TDandbe laefore■! Malinoysky ■ resumes the offensive \ against Budapest." ! IRreER IXKRCED. j In Sloa/akia the Russians -on Friday! forced rfffiifi iQntiava River, an -flbstacle; to their ■westward progress, and ad-i vanced "£We aniles. 'Today guns; wnidh liad ibeten fennied across tti€; Ondava .are smashing i±ieir way ;along' the easfccirn iCzechofilovakian highway; towards Klosiee. 'The ■Germans' On- • dava linie! .took months to huiia.snd was shatt<sred in 'hours. ■ ! A Rusisian communique states: "Soviet fcirces in sCzedhosloyaTda yes-: terday fought -for an .extension of the bridgeheadT^over "the Ondava River and: occupied £- jiiunber of places^"

A supple lineniary communique states: "Red Array units crossed the Danube north-east of Szekszartf, . thereby straddling flic 'hgihway leading to Budapest. Other imits .crossed the Kapos River north of Pecs and captured the j important -.communications centre of D ■ambovar.

-"The •Russians without pause,..after a 15-mile marcfti across broken country, captured Kay.*qsvar., a very importantt rail junction, in rsotrth-Ttfestera. jHtmgary." .