FALL OF GOMEL

Evening Star, Issue 25032, 26 November 1943, Page 3

FALL OF GOMEL

UNCONFIRMED REPORT KREMENCHUG-SNAMENKA RAILWAY CROSSED (Rec. 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 25. The Russians have captured Gomel, according to reports reaching Stockholm, which so far are not confirmed from Moscow. The German - controlled Scandinavian Telegraph Bureau stated that Gomel was evacuated after the Germans had destroyed all military installations. Fierce fighting is going on near the Kremenchug - Snamenka railway. The Russians two days ago crossed the line at one point, and at others they are strongly pursuing the Germans towards the line.

To-night's Soviet communique says that the Red army in the Propoisk area south and south-east of Mohilev recently went over to the offensive. They forced crossings of the Soj and Pronya Rivers, and after three days' fierce fighting penetrated the enemy's defence line to a depth of from 11 to 28 miles, and captured, the Propoisk area, and also 180 inhabited places, including the large centre of Zhuraviohi, 25 miles east-north-east of Rogachev. The Red army north and south-west of Gomel to-day fought the enemy and greatly improved its .positions. West of Ryechitsa the Russians continued their 'offensive, and captured the railway station of Ostankovichi, thereby cutting the Jlobin-Kolenkovichi railway. The Russians on the Lower Pripet occupied a num'ber of inhabited places and iit the Korosten area they repelled infantry attacks. South of Kremenchug the Reci armv continued its offensive, and captured Krukov and Pavlysh, winch are nine miles south of Kremenchug.