SMYELA "FUNNEL" BATTLE

Evening Star, Issue 25070, 11 January 1944, Page 3

SMYELA "FUNNEL" BATTLE

. Germans Commencing Counters DESPERATE STRUGGLE TO EVADE TRAP Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright The Russian spearheads, striking southwards through the Ukraine, are now, according to Reuter's Moscow correspondent, steadily approaching the Odessa-Warsaw railway, the lifeline of von Mannstein's southern front. , The Germans, who have recovered from last week's confusion, are strongly resisting and carrying .out powerful counter-attacks. The Germans in the Smyela " funnel," who are midway between General Vatutin's and General JKoniev's twin drive, are facing the threat of being trapped. The direction of the Russian drive in '.the Vinnitsa region suggests that they intend to by-pass Vinnitsa and cut off the Odessa-Sarny railway, south of Vinnitsa. Russian tanks and guns are now south-west of Vinnitsa. All roads from the north-east and south-east to Vinnitsa have been severed. The Red army also menaces the German railway link through Taveitkovo-Smyela. It is within 10 miles of this - railway at a point north of Uman. The Germans along the Dnieper at the apex of the funnel are . clinging to their ground with great difficulty. If General Vatutin keeps up his present rate of advance : the Germans must attempt a fighting withdrawal. Their only alternative is encirclement.

Heavy fighting is at present going on at the approaches to Shepetovka. The British United Press's Moscow correspondent reports that the Germans' between Smyela and Vinnitsa are falling back, harried by Russian cavalry patrols armed with tommy guns. These " Red Devils," as they are eallrd, pave the way for the tanks and motorised units. .