SHADOW OF DISASTER

Evening Star, Issue 25003, 23 October 1943, Page 5

SHADOW OF DISASTER

FIGHTIHO TO THE EfiO DNIEPER A RIVER OF CORPSES

(Rec. 1.45 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 22. In contrast to the Melitopol stand, the very heavy tank battles of the past few days north of Krivoi Rog have slackened. The Germans apparently are either husbanding their resources or regrouping for renewed counter-attacks, but only a succession of counterblows more powerful than any von Mannstein has yet been able to achieve can stave off the present threat which has the making of a major disaster. Once deprived of Krivoi Rog it is most unlikely that the Germans will be able to extricate by the alternative tortuous railway route more than a relatively small proportion of troops within the Dnieper Bend.

Progress along the east to west railway is slow, but steady. The Russians in the. west are less than 30 miles from Snamenka, the l'oous of all the railways running westward from the bend. The Russians in the east are also increasing their direct threat to Dnepropetrovsk. According to the Swiss radio the (Russians have encircled Dnepropetrovsk. The British United Press Moscow correspondent says that there is no longer doubt about the decisive character of the Dnieper Bend fighting. All the Russian communiques show one thing above everything else—the Germans are standing and fighting. There are hardly any German prisoners being taken, indicating that the Germans are fighting it out, knowing thai the most disastrous retreat of all Is hanging over their heads.

While the Moscow radio reported that the Germans have rushed fresh forces from * France, Poland, Holland, and Denmark to throw into the battle south-east of Kremenchug, Axis radios stated that the Russians from secret bases are pushing forward more arms and vast supplies.

The Berlin radio commentator (Captain Sertorius) says that great battles were fought yesterday at the entrance to the Nogaisk Steppe, where the Russians attacked on a front of about 60 miles. He adds that the Russians attacked German positions on both sides of Melitopol, powerfully supported by tanks and artillery. Several breaches Were forced in the German lines. TITANIC BATTLE FOR KIEV.

The great battle for Kiev is con

tinuing with undiminished ferocity, the British United Press says. The Russians north of Kiev expanded their bridgeheads, using big tank and cavalry forces. The fighting is moving towards the city yard by yard. The slaughter is immense, especially along the river bank. Corpses flow down on the tide as numerous as leaves on an autumn day. Vet the Germans are still throwing in every man they can scrape up from the rear in a titanic effort to retain Kiev,

The Moscow radio says that since the outbreak of the R'ussian-German war the Russian northern fleet has sunk over 300 enemy transports and other vessels, totallina 1,500.000 tons. The fleet's anti-aircraft {runs shot down 752 planes, and m«rin?s killed over 29.000 officers and men.