NAZI COUNTERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21551, 2 November 1944, Page 5

NAZI COUNTERS

VIOLENT BLOWS VITAL POINTS HELD HEAVY ENEMY LOSSES LONDON, Oct. 31. According to the Daily Express’ correspondent, the Germans have launched a violent counter-attack to throw the Russians back across the East Prussian border, but the Soviet guns massed along the 150-mile front are destroying wave after wave of German tanks. The Russians may have to withdraw in some sectors to more favourable positions, adds the correspondent, but they are successfully withstanding German pressure at all important points. Despatches from Red Army headquarters in East Prussia tell of battles of incredible ferocity, but the full details of these battles have not been I‘eported. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says the Soviet command is evidently aiming at the complete liberation of the Baltic Republics by November 11, the anniversary of the Communist Revolution. The liberation of the 75-mile-long German pocket on the Latvian coast, including the ports of Libau and Windau, would clear the Germans from their last foothold on Soviet soil. Moscow is still silent on the operations in this area, where Berlin, for the past few days, has reported heavy Soviet attacks. To-night’s Soviet communique says the Russians north-east and southwest of Nyiregyhaza captured over 50 places, including the railway station at Hajdudorog, 13 miles south-west of Nyiregyhaza. The Russians reoccupied Nyiregyhaza after the town had changed hands several times. The Red Army between the Tisza and the Danube captured 200 places, including Iszak, 47 miles south-south-east of Budapest. The Russians broke into Kecskemet, where they engaged in street fighting. The Russians between the Tisza and the Danbe took prisoner 4018 Germans and Hungarians. Kecskemet is the last big town between Marshal Malinovsky and Budapest on this approach.