IN VITEBSK AREA

Grey River Argus, 24 December 1943, Page 4

IN VITEBSK AREA

RUSSIAN ADVANCE Below Nevel [Aust. & N.Z. Press Assn.] (Rec. 1.10) LONDON, Dec. 23. The German News Agency's military commentator admits there was a German withdrawal in the Vitebsk area yesterday in the face of numerically superior Russian forces. Moscow radio, quoting a frontline report, says: A Russian formation south of Nevel crossed an important water barrier, smashed several enemy key defence bases, and surrounded alarge German unit, more than 1000 of whom were annihilated. Germans Retreat INTO VITEBSK. LONDON, Dec. 22. A Russian communique states: Russian forces south of Nevel advanced and occupied over 20 inhabited localities. Our troops crossed an important river barrier, and smashed their way through several strongpoints of the ’ enemy's defence system on • the White Russian front. Moscow radio stated; The Red Army has smashed main German defences before Vitebsk and Russian troops, tanks and guns are pouring through like an avalanche that cannot be halted. Positions the Germans built with the labour of many months are being abandoned. Russians, who crashed through/to the rear, linked up with the main forces. A strong German force which at the last minute hoped to stem the Russian attack was wiped out. A corresnondent of Moscow “Izvestia” stated: The Russian air force is in action against long columns or German lorries retreating to Vitebsk, the roads to which are only narrow banks of firm ground between the surrounding swamps and are being turned into ribbons of flame. A line of blazing vehicles extends. German tanks, in the effort to avoid devastating attacks from Russian pilots, are being forced off the roads into swamps. They can be seen dispersing over a wide area. Moscow “Pravda” says: When the Red Army broke through German lines north of Vitebsk German divisions were slashed to pieces. The Germans, cut off from each other, and ousted from strongholds, were overcome by panic and stampeded through forests and marshes, abandoning lorries and weapons. They were surrounded by hundreds. About one hundred Stormoviks had previously strafed German defences for an hour. The German’s put up about 270 planes over the battlefield during the day in the attempt to stem the Russian advance. A press message from Moscow stated: Soviet troops and cavalry have continued mopping up the German groups routed south of Nevel. Roads jammed with enemy transport were converted into ribbons of fire byi tree-top sweeps of Stormoviks. Fleeing from flaming roads, German infantry are retreating from Nevel and Vitebsk. A group when encircled lost 400 killed. The Germans have lost the whole system of fortifications built in the summer. It was a defile three and a half miles wide between two lakes. In spite of intense artillery and mortar crossfire Russian troops broke through under’ cover of a snow storm and disrupted the German front by a double manoeuvre to the south-west and north-east. The Germans sent a picked emergency force to close the breach and surround the Russian troops in this area, but the force was dispersed and routed piecemeal. “The Times” Moscow correspondent states: Russian forces are menacing Gorodok, the last big rail town before Vitebsk. They are engaged in violent battles on either side oi the main road and railway from Nevi To Vitebsk. The Russian right wing is simultaneously descending valleys and thrusting towards German communications connecting the most northerly White Russian fortress city with the vital base of Polotzk. 'The right wing succeeded in pinning down a substantial part of th« Germans in this region. \ The German News Agency spokesman stated: “The Russian winter army has come into the open. It comprises strategical reserves. The Germans have also thrown in reserves. The only difference between the two is the . Russians call theirs the Winter Army.”