WELL INSIDE POLAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 39, 14 January 1944, Page 5

WELL INSIDE POLAND

„ NEW 1939 BORDER REACHED. (Rec. 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 13 The Soviet forces have now reached the frontier established after the Russians marched into Poland in 1939. The Moscow radio announced that the Russians have reached the Polish River Bug at a point 115 miles west of the old frontier. Tho Bug hero forms the line of the. new 1939 border. (Reuter's Moscow correspondent reports that the Germans are retreating in disorder west of Sarny, with the Russians pressing on towards Kowel. The Russians have reached points within 40 miles southeast of Pinsk. The Red Army's tactical skill is seen in the formulation of outflanking possibilities against six major German-held Russian towns, says the Red Star. "The Red Army has already badly outflanked Vinnitsa from the south-east, Shepetovka from tbe north and south, and Rovno from the north-west. The Russians are also moving into positions from which outflanking strokes can be dealt in the direction of Bobruisk, Kowel and Pinsk." With enemy sources admitting today that strong Red Army columns are still pouring into Poland, the Associated Press's Moscow correspon- §,< dent says that 'advanced Russian P units are already, moving on to firm ground beyond the fringe of the Pinsk Marshes, west of Sarny, and ■with the aid of guerrillas are continuing to sweep through the Rovno forests. A grim struggle is going on over bleak marshy terrain north of Sarny. The Germans, hampered by poor communications and ' the difficulty of exploiting their panzers, are being pushed back into the guer-rilla-ridden Pripet Marshes. BESSARABIAN ROADS.

General Antonescu, the Rumanian dictator, has ordered the Bessarabian authorities to keep the roads to the interior clear of refugees. Every railway is now under German control and German technical troops who have been infiltrating for several weeks are being rushed to the frontier. General Antonescu's military rule Tinder German direction has already silenced the Press and is increasing the anxiety of the people, who are told nothing of the retreat in Russia.