NO CHANGES

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1944, Page 5

NO CHANGES

• ON RUSSIAN FRONTS

German Attacks Repulsed

[Aus. & N.Z. Presi- Assn.] LONDON, April 30,

For the ninth successive day, the Soviet communique reports no changes on the .entire front. The struggle for Sebastopol has resolved into a huge artillery duel, reports the British United Press Moscow correspondent. The Germans despite heavy losses during the retreat across the' Crimea have been able to concentrate a tremendous mass of guns along the Belek River line, slightly north-east of Sebastopol. The roar of guns in the Sebastopol area rumbles around the hills like the noise of a' gigantic landslide, while at night time, two'semi-circles of flashes girdle the city. Red Army artillery are aiming to neutralise the German guns which are trying to prevent the Russians debouching from the passes above the fort, for the final assault. German attempts to evacuate troops caused a constant drain, on the enemy’s shipping. The Germans are now using freighters and sluggish coastal craft, in contrast to the former high-speed convoys. The Moscow newspaper, “Moscow News.” states that the Russian Black Sea air force in fifteen days sunk sixty-one enemy vessels, totalling (ifty-five thousand -tons, twenty-four of which were transports. A large number of barges and smaller craft were also sunk. A Soviet communique says: Russian long-range planes yesterday raided the rail .junction and aerodrome at Idritsa. There were several militarytrains at the rail junction, and a large number of planes on the ground at the aerodrome. The bombs caused large fires and explosions. A. Moscow message says: A few days ago, near Stanislawow. a large group of Hungarian soldiers went over to the Russians. The prisoners said that they were ordered to attack the Russian positions, while the Germans were posted in the heights behind. The attack failed, and the Hungarians were pinned down by Russian fire. The Germans then opened fire on the Hungarians who surrendered.

Huge armies are moving into position along the Russian front for the decisive battles of 1944, says Reuter’s Moscow correspondent. Red Army activity suggests the end of the eightday lull is near. Russians, meanwhile, continue widespread bombing of German railway junctions and airfields.

The Soviet Information Bureau states that the Germans during their occupation of Gasin-on-Bug murdered over 10,000 cilivians, and drove to Germany at least 3,200. Russia will be extremely tough with Germany after the war, says the Chicago “Sun’s” Moscow correspondent, Edward Angly. “First of all Russia will settle with the monopolistic capitalists and industrialists who supported’ Hitler. No matter where you go in Russia, the ordinary man will tell you he thinks the Germans should be forced after the war to rebuild what they destroyed in Russia. Factory managers hope their Government will compel the Germans to replace the machinery they destroyed or removed. There is an ever lengthening list of German and Roumanian firms and individuals who entered the occupied-area’s and took over local industries. The day of reckoning will come for these people as it will for the military leaders of Hitler’s destructive legions.” The “Daily Express” reports that Britain is securing a contract to electrify Stalingrad, and is already working on it. Orders placet', in Britain hy Russians for electrical equipment run into many millions of pounds.

German Attacks JApSY AND STANISLAWOW. (Rec. 9.5) LONDON, May 1A Russian communique says; German forces attacked north of Jassy. They encountered a withering fire, which drove them back with heavy casualties. One Russian formation, south-east of Stanislawow, has repelled several local counter-attacks. Units of the Black -Sea Fleet attacked an enemy convoy west of Sebastopol. They sank two enemy transports. ■