RUSSIAN MOPPING-UP

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 May 1945, Page 5

RUSSIAN MOPPING-UP

CZECHOSLOVAKIAN FIGHTING PRAGUE WELCOMES KONIEV RUGBY, May 12. “Marshal Koniev, General Yeremenko and Marshal Malinovsky are keeping up the pressure against tne remnants of German forces under General Schoerner in Czechoslovakia and Austria, who have refused to capitulate, and the enemy resistance has been reduced to a disorderly retreat,” says a correspondent in Moscow.. . , . According to information reaching London, Germans who are made to work on the debris in Prague have to wear a huge swastika on their backs. The famous Hradcany Castle escaped undamaged, as well as the cathedral and the old streets and houses at the foot of the Castle Hill. Contrary to earlier reports, Dr. Benes has not yet reached Prague, but the Czech Government is there. The Prague radio said on Friday that Marshal Koniev, commander of the Red Army forces which liberated Prague, arrived in the city. He was cheered by large crowds. “Two of the Red Army’s toughest tank commanders, Colonel-General Leiushenko, a hero of Moscow, Stalingrad, and Berlin, and ColonelGeneral Tybalko, a veteran of Voronezh and the Silesian break-through, have been sent by the Russian High Command to settle the stiff but .scattered opposition still being put up by the Germans in Czechoslovakia and parts of Austria,” said the Moscow correspondent of the Associated Press on Friday. “Red Army tanks, backed by Stormoviks, are spreading out in a wide arc with Prague in the centre, storming dozens of towns, taking thousands of prisoners, and killing many breakers of the surrender terms. The Germans have no line or front but they possess several hundred tanks and are well supplied with ammunition. They are giving considerable trouble.” The Sofia correspondent of the Associated Press said that in spite of the formal announcement of the cessation of hostilities along the Biilgarian front, some German units were violating the capitulation order and continuing resistance. Bulgarian troops consequently renewed operations, and, advancing westward, had taken Slovenia’s major city, Maribor. The Sofia radio announces that the Bulgarian Army has linked up with the British Bth Army.

RUSSIAN CAPTURES

LONDON, May 12

A Russian communique states: Troops of the Leningrad Command on Saturday continued to accept the surrender of units belonging to the German Kurland grouping, of which 140,408 German soldiers besides 5,803 officers and 28 generals gave themselves up between May 5 and May 12. In the same period we captured 307 tanks, and 1,427 field guns. Troops of the Second White Russian Commany completed acceptance of the surrender of Germans in the area from the mouth of the Vistula east of Danzig, Putzigernehrung north-east of Gydnia, and on the island of Bornholm, from which 59,106 German troops gave themselves up, besides 1,726 officers and 12 generals, including the Chiefs of Staff of the German Second Army, MajorGeneral Matter. Troops of the First Ukrainian Command, between May 9 and 12 took prisoner 168,000, besides 10 generals. Troops of the Fourth. Ukrainian Command took 135,000 prisoners, besides eight generals. The Third Ukranian Command took 14,756 prisoners and five generals. The Russians therefore took prisoner nearly 600,000 men and 63 generals, between May 9 and 12. Large groups of Germans are still hiding, and sometimes resisting, in the Sudeten mountains and Bohemian ranges, reports the Associated Press correspondent at Moscow. Many Germans are believed to be hiding in the forests. The Russians are continuing to comb them out. steadily increasing the total of prisoners.

POLISH GOVT

LONDON, May 13

Miscow radio said: Marshal Stahn sent a message to tne President of the Lublin Polish Provisional Government, Mr. Beirut wishing success to the whole Polish people in the rebirth of a strong, independent, democratic Poland, and stating: “The unity of Allied nations fighting against Hitlerism will strengthen the indepedenoe of Poland and form an impregnable barrier against future Fascist aggression.

(Rec. 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, May 13. The Moscow Press reiterates the charges of diversionist activitie: against sixteen Polish leaders, supporters of the London Government who are under arrest. “Pravda,” stating they are responsible lor the deaths of more than 100 Red Army officers and. men, added: “This monstrous crime, as well as the identities of the organisers and participators have been established.”

LEND-LEASE REVIEW

WASHINGTON, May 13

The suspension of lend-lease shipments to Russia pending a review oi the whole lend-lease programme was disclosed to-night by the United States Foreign Economic Administrator (Mr. Leo Crowley). _ “Lend-lease is purely an instrument for running the war,” said Mr. Crowley. “Accordingly it is necessary, with the end of hostilities in Europe, to review lend-lease programmes so that American resources will be distributed so as to make the utmost possible contribution to victory in the major war we have still to win. Such a re-examination and review are now taking place. Pending its completion, new shipments to Europe are being held up except those for countries now at war against Japan or countries through which re-deployment of our troops will be facilitated.”

AUSTRIAN GOVT

LONDON, May 12. The Austrian radio announced that the new Government has dissolved the Austrian Nazi Party, confiscated the property of all Nazi organisations and is imposing heavy penalties on Nazi Party members and supporters during 1933/38.