RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN

Grey River Argus, 3 April 1943, Page 5

RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN

STRONGHOLD TAKEN RUSSIAN SUCCESS IN CAUCASUS. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, April 1. One of the few remaining strongholds still in German hands in the Caucasus is reported to have. been stormed and captured by the Russians. This important strategical position is north of the Kuban river, 20 miles from the Sea of Azov, and 50 miles west of Krasnodar. No important changes are reported from other sectors, but fighting is continuing east of Smolensk, southeast of Kharkov, and north of Rostov. . ; Floods following heavy rain are reported east and north-east of Smolensk, but the Russians have advanced in some sectors. In one engagement 100 Germans were wiped out, while in another clash a battalion of German infantry was overwhelmed. There are constant artillery duels. South-east of Kharkov, Germans carried out an attack on a Russian bridgehead, but were forced to withdraw' after leaving a number of tanks and dead behind. West of Rostov a German attempt to force a crossing of a river failed. Russian guerrillas on the central front have blown up a large railway bridge/and two trains, one of them carrying enemy troops.

Donetz Front SPASMODIC FIGHTING REPORTED. LONDON, April 1. Fighting on the Donetz front flares up and dies down spasmodically with the Red Army clinging to their severely disputed bridgeheads. The British United Press says that as a result of the loss of thousands of men and hundreds of tanks in fruitless attacks in the past fortnight German units shattered in the Donetz fighting are being sent to the rear for rest and regrouping, which is contributing to the decline in the Intensity of the fighting. The Germans are resorting to new tricks in an obstinate effort to secure a foothold on the east bank of the Donetz River. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says that small gangs of German engineers assemble at isolated points and try building pontoons across the Donetz. Russian patrols and air reconnaissance have so far thwarted the small beginnings of attempts to get big forces across the river. Reuter also ' reports that the Russians are firmly keeping their bridgeheads on the east bank of the River in the Byelgorod and Chuguyev areas. They are daily fortifying and even improving the positions which the Germans have been attacking, for ovei- a fortnight. The' present positional warfare, the re-grouping of forces behind the lines and the dispositions of fresh reserves, although not dramatic in appearance, are actually of the highest importance m the same of military chess being played to determine which side will get the initiative in the Spring campaign. Clo_gging ground and supply difficulties are not stopping the Russians in the Kuban nibbling at the German line. The Russian capture of Anastasevskaya is of great strategic value because it is the junction of a number of important roads and its fall makes the 1 German position on the north bank of the Kuban River much more difficult. In addition to the capture of Anastasevskaya the Russians have taken more settlements and have also severed communications between several large German strongholds. Berlin radio declared that the Russians have launched new attacks on a broad front against the northern part of the Kuban bridgehead vyjth tanks, battleplanes and heavy artillery. Reuter reports that the Russians in the rear of the Kuban front are feverishly working to restore the road and rail communications which t'he retreating Germans destroyedTrains are already again running over the 100-mile stretch between Voroshilovsk and Kavkaskaya. . The German News Agency claimed that strong Russian attack?,. against the German positions south of Lake Ilmen from Staraya Russa along the Lovat River to Kholm and also a vigorous Russian attempt to loosen the ring around Leningrad have been brought to a standstill