JUGOSLAV OFFENSIVE

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 May 1944, Page 5

JUGOSLAV OFFENSIVE

ENEMY LOSSES HEAVY. ' "RUGBY, May 13. More than 2740 German and satellite troops were killed in offensive operations in Montenegro and Sandjak between April 5 and May 10, and also a great number were wounded, says a communique from Marshal Broz's headquarters. Partisan losses totalled 900 killed and wounded. One tank, two armoured cars, eight heavy trench mortars, 800,000 rounds of ammunition, and a great quantity of other war material were destroyed. In Western Bosnia enemy troops numbering several thousands are exercising strong pressure against the partisan positions and meeting strong resistance. BROZ INTERVIEW. NEW YORK, May .14. The Allied censors at Algiers have censored the first interview given by Marshal Broz to the American Press. The censors prevented the Associated Press transmitting the interview, and representations to Washington and London to get clearance of the story were unsuccessful. The executive director of the” Associated Press (Mr. Kent Cooper), in a message to the Supreme Commander in the Mediterranean (Sir Henry Maitland Wilson), said: “The suppression of this interview constitutes political censorship in spite of your assurances and those of the British and American Governments that political censorship would not be introduced in the Mediterranean theatre. We would like a statement of the reasons for suppression.” Sir Henry Maitland Wilson did not reply. GAINS AND LOSSES 'RUGBY, May 14. In Crotia a pitched battle with strong enemy motorised units is raging' in the sector of Like Kordun, states a Jugoslav communique. After several days of extremely fierce fighting the enemy is now controlling a stretch of the so-called Napoleon highway from Vrchvine to Liko Petrovo Seljo. The enemy continues to wage offensive operations in several directions. Fighting is particularly heavy near Priejehoj and Vrelo, west of Bihac. In Western Bosnia, in a two-days’ battle, in the sector of Prijedor Liubija, 140 enemy troops were killed, in Macedonia, despite the numerical superiority of the enemy, partisan units succeeded in breaking up an attempted encirclement by the enemy, who suffered severe losses. In Serbia, fierce lighting continues and the enemy is bringing up reinforcements. In Sandjak, heavy fighting is in progress. In Slovenia, the enemy after bringing up reinforcements succeeded in advancing towards Zuzemberk, but partisan units routed an enemy force of several thousand and recaptured several positions in this sector. In the Vojodina sector, close to the Hungarian frontier, partisan units are systemaicaly destroying enemy communications, garrisons and important military installations. Two transport trains with troops were destroyed in two days. JOINT ATTACK PLANNED (Recd. Noon) LONDON, May 14. The Allied and Jugoslav army have planned an offensive in the Balkans, says Paul Ghali, “New York Post” correspondent in a despatch from Switzerland. Tito will assist the Allies in the Balkans by firstly, stopping the German military traffic from crossing Jugoslav territory south of Greece.’ To do this he will cut the three railway lines across Jugoslavia by occupying strategic positions. Secondly, occupying strategic points in the Jugoslavia not yet in Partisan hands to facilitate the creation of an Allied bridgehead. This plan has been completed to the most minute detail. Thirdly, taking over civilian control as soon as the terrorists are liberated.