LULL IN RUSSIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1944, Page 5

LULL IN RUSSIA

DISTRICT encounters GERMANS AGAIN REPULSED LONDON, May 16, The Russians again report that no material change has occurred on the land front. A Russian supplementary communique says: “South-east of Stanislawow (in the Carpathian foothills), •1 German Alpine battalion yesterday attacked Russian positions and succeeded in pressing back our forward defence screen and occupying a small heisht A Russian counter-blow dislodged the Germans from the height and completely restored the silna--lO“North-v/est of Tiraspol, on the lower Dniester, our units, to improve their positions., attacked an enemy bridgehead on the left bank of the Dniester, killing at least a battalion of enemy troops. , Many others were flung back into the river and drowned. Booty was captured and prisoners taken. GERMANS EXPECT OFFENSIVE (Re'" 11-30 a.m.) LONDON, May 16. The present operations in the’Caroathians are reported to be of the small-scale “Red Indian” type of warfare but Berlin commentators warn the Germans that the Red Army is likely to launch an offensive soon. _ . , The German News Agency’s military commentator, reporting on the continuous massing of Russians near Lwow, Kowel and the Middle Seret, said: “German quarters expect the Russians will resume large-scale attacks in these sectors in the very near future.” The Berlin radio reporter said the Russians are making far-reaching preparations for a renewal of the offensive on the central front. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says that such battles as are now being fought are a flare-up from small incidents. The Russians seized a useful hill in one sector. Bitter fighting developed, in which the Germans were driven back, losing 700 men and 14 tanks. To-night’s Moscow communique again reported no material changes along the front. An Air communique says: Our planes yesterday* raided the rail junction of Polotsk, and bombed ■stores, war material and trains, starting files. Seven explosions were observed.

Nineteen enemy planes were shot dowm on Monday.