SKILFUL MANOEUVRE

Evening Star, Issue 25069, 10 January 1944, Page 3

SKILFUL MANOEUVRE

CAPTURE OF KIROVOGRAD ANOTHER STRONGHOLD LOST TO GERMANS RUGBY. January 8. Russian forces have taken Kirovograd. An order of the day issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to General Koniev states : " Troops of the second Ukrainian front, having broken through strong German defences to-day as the result of a skilful hy-i>ass manoeuvre, have occupied the town of Kirovograd, an important stronghold in the German defence. In four days of stubborn fighting Soviet troops have increased the width of their break-through to 75 miles, and have advanced from 19 to 31 miles, in the course of the offensive Soviet troops have routed three enemy tank, one motorised, and four infantry divisions." The encirclement of Kirovograd was the result of a lightning switch-over from the defensive to the offensive by General Koniev, states a Moscow message. Until the beginning of the- new year the Germans had the initiative in the sector, attacking with 100 tanks at a time in an effort to recapture Snamenka. General Koniev let the Germans disperse their exhausted forces, and then hit back, his offensive being opened on January 5. Sunken roads, woods, and gullies enabled General Koniev to take up his initial positions in secrecy, completely baffling enemy reconnaissance, while groups of tanks and motor cycles every day ambushed enemy reinforcements in the area.

The offensive began with a storm of artillery fire blasting great gaps in the German defences. Soviet tanks then rushed through the gaps and intersected the system roads which connected the numerous German strongholds in the area. After this the Soviet main forces were able to increase their pressure on the German flank and widen the breach. A score of local German garrisons were suromided and wiped out in the first few hours. An avalanche of guns, tanks, and infantry rolled down from the area of Snamenka to the eastern approaches of Kirovograd, swung to the west, and by-passed the city from the north and south. Other troops who had been placed in position nearer Kirovograd then crossed the river liigul and cut off the German escape routes to the west.