LIKE AVALANCHE

Evening Star, Issue 25068, 8 January 1944, Page 5

LIKE AVALANCHE

Russian Drive Gams . Speed German Line Crumbling On 80-Mile Front •Press' Association—By Telegraph—Copyright (Kec. 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, January 7. The Red army has bitten in deeply and fully established its position in Poland. General Vatutiri's forces, along an 80mile front from a point beyond Rokitno to Polonnoye, 50 miles north=west of Berdichev are accelerating the advance towards the Polish Ukraine and closing in on Sarny and Rovno. The British United Press Moscow correspondent declares that the whole of the German frontier defences as far south-westwards as Ostrog, nearly 80 miles from the original Russian break-through west of Olevsk, are .crumbling under the Eussian blows. He adds that there is little doubt that General Vatutin is approaching the stage in the campaign where he hopes to deliver decisive strategy blows. Reuter's correspondent says that according to front-line reports, the army is advancing like an avalanche. The spearhead which captured Rokitno is now approaching Sarny, and the speed arid power of the Russian advance are bringing increasing disorder, in the ranks of von Mannstein's defeated army.

. The Germans are retreating hurriedly towards Shepetovka. Some German divisional staffs are changing the position of their headquarters twice daily, while units are becoming isolated and out of touch with those which are supposed to be supporting their flanks.

The German military spokesman said German and Eussian armies were poised for decisive battles. " It is undeniable that the German armies are experiencing serious strain. We make no attempt to disguise the fact that we have suffered reverses in these gigantic winter battles."