RUSSIAN FRONTS

Grey River Argus, 17 May 1943, Page 2

RUSSIAN FRONTS

GERMAN ATTACK . On Leningrad Sector PEAVY ARTILLERY BARRAGE

ENEMY LOSSES HIGH.

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 7.50.) LONDON, May 15. The Germans developed a sharp new attack on the Leningrad front. ’“Red Star” 'reported a heavy artillery barrage, in which more than five thousand rounds were hurled against the Russians. Following the barrage the German infantry advanced. The Russians met the attack with heavy gunfire, particularly from automatics. The first thrust cost the Germans heavy losses. They reeled back, but returned to the attack. The Germans, disregarding the losses, made several additional attempts in a single day to smash up the Russian lines. “Red Star” added: “Owing to numerical superiority the Nazis succeeded in breaking through to defence works in one direction. The Russians quicklj' reinforced this sector, and exterminated an enemy group.” The Associated Press’s Moscow correspondent expressed the view that the operations were the biggest fighting this front has seen since the winter, although the numbers of men involved were not mentioned. It is too early to say whether this is the beginning of an important German offensive, but it indicates that they massed considerable power on the Leningrad front, and are able to strike in strength. A furious air war continues all along the front. The Russians are relentlessly bombing, shelling and machine-gunning railway stations, junctions and trains behind the German lines. The Germans, despite the air pounding, are getting much material to the front, especially for the Brianck and Orel salients, and upwards through the central ‘ gronts. ( German troops are moving up for actions which may begin at any time. Russian guerrillas, operating on the Kiev* area report that the city was evacuated by German official organisations, including Koch, the notorious Reich Commissar for the Ukraine, who moved to Kovno. Kiev is now largely in ruins, and is practically empty as a result of deportations. II was once one of the finest cities in Russia.

NOVOROSSISK GAINS HELD. (Rec. 7.50.) LONDON. May 15. Fighting north-east of Novoross.isk was mostly confined to artillerv exchanges. The Russians are still battering deep fortifications. Russian infantry hold the lines cantured i-trlier this week. SLOW GAINS IN KUBAN. LONDON, May 14. The Russians in the Kuban, battling against the still stubborn resistance, advanced in some sectors and captured additional lines northeast of Novorossisk. Despatches from the front do not indicate big gams, but in the face of current strong counter-attacks definite progress was made. The Russians at Lisichansk seized the initiative in a forward drive, considerably improving their positions. They made the best progress in thisarea since the Germans began a counter-attack three weeks ago. The tremendous air war, which at present is fiercer than anything on land, continued. The Russians blasted man-,} objectives, including Warsaw and communications. The Germans simultaneously struck at the Liski communications.

OREL RAILWAY BOMBED enemy dumps attacked (Rec. 6.30.) LONDON, May 15. A special Soviet communique states that last night, long-range bombers raided the railway junction of Orel. The bombers made very strong attacks on ammunition dumps an tains hauling ammunition. In Gome) which was also attacked, qozens n trains were in the yards. Thirty fires followed bv large explosions were caused. Only one. Soviet plane failed to return.

The Germans made an unsuccessful attempt to cross the Donetz, south of Krasny Liman, losing two hundred men.

Large Scale Battle Coming

“RED STAR’S” WARNING. LONDON, May 14. No new developments are reported from the- Russian land front, but each side is warning the other that it may soon launch' large-scale attacks. Where the big clash will cow.'' is a matter of conjecture.' The Germans have large concentrations of men, tffiiks, and aeroplanes ready to attack on a number of sectors, where the Red Air Force is raiding key communications.

“Red Star” gives a warning that the hour is approaching for largescale battles involving great masses of troops. It claims that the Gorman generals are pinning all their hopes on their armour and air force.

The Berlin radio states that in view of the big transport movements observed in the past few days the Germans hourly expect the Russians to resume- their large-scale attacks in the Kuban area’.' The German and Rumanian forces, however, have taken all the necessary measures to repulse the enemy* “ ■

“The Germans might attempt to deal a swift blow in two or more months in which Hitler may reckon he will be relatively free of the necessity of warding off an invasion from the west.” states Reuter’s correspondent in Moscow. “Recent local activity suggests that the Germans plan to launch two offensives concurrently or in swift succession, firstly, from the Briansk-Orel sector to the eastwards and then northwards to threaten Moscow from the rear; secondly, through the Donetz line to Rostov in an attempt to gain a hold on the western part of the north Caucasus as j.ar south as Krasnador, with an additional force striking across Caucasia to the Caspian to invest Baku.’’