RUSSIAN PROGRESS

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 March 1943, Page 5

RUSSIAN PROGRESS

TIMOSHENKO’S OFFENSIVE

ENEMY RIVER-LINE BROKEN LONDON, March 5.

Folio wing the capture of Rzhev, Russian troops on the central front 'are still driving down on the Vyazma salient. In one sector they advanced six miles last night. In other sectors they occupied 42 more places. At the same time other Red Army forces, having cleared the enemy from his last footholds on the railway from Rzhev to Velikye Luki, have struck down to meet their comrades, capturing 10 places on the way. Further south, the enemy salient round Orel is in even greater danger. Soviet troops are now operating due south of Bryansk, which is the main supply base for Orel. Still further south, the Russians west of Kursk advanced yesterday oO miles beyond Lgov, and last night made further progress, occupying many more places. “The Russian Air Force is very active, in spite of the bad weathei. Stormoviks on Wednesday destroyed 15 enemy aeroplanes. The Soviet land forces retook a number of places.Unconfirmed reports say that tne Russians have broken the German line on the Lovat river a little below Staraya Russa. ... Military observers say that if the Russian offensive between Vyazma and Staraya Russa succeeds and it the Russians penetrate the Baltic States, Germany’s Leningrad armies will be forced to withdraw quickly to escape annihilation. POSITION OUTLINED. (Rec. noon) LONDON, March 5 A German force of tanks and aitillery attempted a stand on the Dvina River between Rzhev and Velikye Luki, but was beaten back. The Russians pushing armour and ghns across the ice at top speed, crossed the Dvina at three points. Timoshenko, despite bad weathei and difficult terrain, again struck in the neighbouring front, hitting towards Straya Russa, which is tne fifth imperilled German hedgehod. These offensives promise most valuable results. The position can be summarised as. Firstly, the Red Army is consistently thrusting back the front from Moscow. Secondly, the entire VolPa River from the source to the estuary is now under Russian control, which will be a very important lactor for the Soviet' transport system in the Spring and Summer. Thira y, the synchronised Russian push southwards from Bryansk, suppoited by the drive north-west of Kharkov, is preparing the way for a clearance ql the strategic Kharkov-Moscow railway which, in Russian hands, will consolidate the whole Russian advance south westward, menacing the German forces in the Donetz Basin. HITLER AND GENERALS LONDON, March 5. The “Daily Express” correspondent, Mr. Morley Richards, says: — Military experts in LoJ ?hon state that evidence is conclusive that Hitler is superseded as Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht. It is considered certain that the Generals have resumed complete control on the Russian front. Hitler apparently has suspended his belief in his intuition ai anyrate temporarily. There also has been a reshuffle of Field Commanders. General von Mansteon has left the Southern Command, and is now believed to be in the rear, general Baron von Weicha, an aggressive tank soldier, has replaced him It is thought that General von Bock has resumed his place in the High Command. This news is important because, without Hitler s spoiling hand, the German Generals are not likely to reproduce blunders that led to disaster after disaster. Indeed there is evidence that the Wehrmacht in the last fortnight has been fighting under highly skilled direction. THANKS~TO N.Z. WELLINGTON, March 5. The Prime Minister has received the following cablegram from the British Ambassador at Kubyshev. M. Stalin requests me to convey to you his sincere thanks for your friendly message on the occasion ol the 2atn anniversary of the Red Aimy. FINLAND’S CABINET LONDON, March 5. Political confusion is rising in Finland as continued efforts to Government fail. President Ryti, aftei the failure of M. Hakkila to ioim a Cabinet, called on Professor Lmkoinies to begin unofficial attempts. He is reported to have the backing of the Social Democrats who are the biggest party in the Finnish Parliament. It he succeeds unofficially, he will be formally asked to form a Cabinet. LATER.

Linkomies formed a Cabinet, wherein all parties are represented except the Fascists. ____