SUPREME TEST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21552, 3 November 1944, Page 3

SUPREME TEST

DEFENCE TASK. FOR NAZIS RED FLANKS CLEARED

TANKS NEARING CAPITA!. (11.30 a.m.) LONDON. Nov. 2. The Russian Army in Hungary, having cleared its flanks round Budapest and in Ruthenia, has resumed the offensive from the east and south. This sweep up the gap between the Danube and the Tisza threatens to turn the German position on the upper Tisza, where the Germans recently managed, at heavy cost, to straighten and stabilise their line. The Russian left bank now rests securely on the Danube from below Budapest to where the river bends east above Novisad.

Where the river flows through Yugoslavia the Russians are not likely to find it a serious obstacle, as they are being helped by the Mugoslav guerrilla forces in Slavonia. The Russians thus have more than one direction in which to advance and the river’s tributaries are not likely to allow their advance to outrun its long supply routes.

The new satellite Government in Hungary is facing a supreme test in the held to-day—the defence of Budapest. against the Red Army’s tanks and troops, says the Associated Press’ correspondent in Moscow. The Russian spearheads have beaten back stiff out weakening Hungarian and German resistance between the Danube and the Tisza Rivers, but the going is hard because of the great amount of anti-tank forces and weapons the enemy has assembled on the broad, treeless plain.

Advanced Russian tank forces are believed to be within 30 or 35 miles of the outskirts of Budapest. They are battling against German tanks, which are attacking violently, despite losses.

The German News Agency, quoting the Berlin military spokesman, says: "The great enemy assault against Budapest is becoming increasingly powerful each hour.” Among the places captured named in the Svoiet communique are Lajos Misze, 10 miles north-west of Kecskemet and 40 from Budapest, also Kerekegyhaza, on. a branch railway 10 miles west of Kecskemet and Kiskoros railway junction on the Budapest to Belgrade line and 30 miles south-west of Kecskemet.