LULL CONTINUES

Grey River Argus, 10 November 1944, Page 5

LULL CONTINUES

ON EASTERN FRONTS Red Army Preparing Offensive LONDON, November 8. For the third successive day a Soviet communique reports no material changes along the whole front The first heavy snowfalls of inc season on the front were reported today, says Reuter’s Moscow correspondent. There was also snow in Moscow to-day. it is disclosed here that there ai e now four newly-formed German tani-; divisions in East Prussia. Thousands of East Prussians have been recalled from the Western Front and Italy to help defend the threshhold to the Reich. The resumption of the offensive against Budapest is believed to be imminent. ' The Exchange Telegraph Agency s Moscow correspondent says the latest reports from the Baltic front state the Russians launched a combined land and air assault designed to destroy the German divisions trapped im Latvia between Libau and Tukums. , (Rec. 11.58.) LONDON, Nov. 9. Reports from Moscow press correspondents emphasise that the Bed Armv is taking advantage of the present lull which extends all along the front to prepare for launching a fourth great winter offensive. Moscow "Pravda” makes no secret of Russian intentions. It says: “T'he Red Army and the armies of the Allies are poised for a final assault against life centres in Germany. The Red Army is going out on its final mission to exterminate the German Army in its own lair. It is believed in Moscow that Marshal Tolbukhin’s Third Army will shortly throw into the Hungarian campaign, states the American Associated Fress Moscow correspondent. T'he Russians’ long communications lines, however, will continue to be an important factor. Most recent Soviet actions have been swift, hardhitting offensives, which smashed the German front, line. The Russians then had to halt to build up the campaign.. Their attacks over the Hungarian plain between the Tisa and the Danube have been this type of operation. The German News Agency reports that Soviet reserves massed behind the Russian lines in East Prussia are estimated to exceed those so f.ar engaged in battle. The uaily Telegraph” says that the Hungarian War Minister, General Bereczky, ordered the evacuation of men aged IB to 50 from Budapest, “which might become a war zone and the men remaining are likely to be forced to work by the Russians.” The men are instructed to assemble at fixed points. Their destination is not stated. Men are warned they should be prepared for hardships. "Most of the journey will have to bu on foot.” RUSSIANS IN NORWAY. ENEMY WITHDRAWAL, (Rec. 10.45.) LONDON, Nov.. 9. Berlin Overseas Radio admitted that German forces have evacuated Hammerfest, in Norway. It added that defence measures are being taken against Russians advancing into Norway.