Viazma Threatened From Three Sides

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 54, 5 March 1943, Page 5

Viazma Threatened From Three Sides

LONDON, Mar. 3. The British United Press’ correspondent points out that when they were driven back from the environs of Moscow the Germans retreated to the line running from Rjev to Bryansk and Orel and in all the subsequent fighting held on to the positions along the line. This is the first major change in tho situation lor more than 15 months. JEven when the Russians thrust through towards Velikiye Luki, completely outflanking Rjev, the Germans clung to the positions there, although the area around Rjev must have been more than half encircled. The Rjev-Viamza-Bryansk line, in addition to threatening Moscow, also defends the vital rail junction and fortified area of Smolensk. This may bo a to the Germans shortening the line to positions east of Smolensk, but in any case Viazma is now threatened from three sides. The booty at Rjev included 112 tanks, 78 guns of various calibres 35 railway engines, 1200 wagons, and a great quantity of rifles, machine-guns and ammunition. The enemy left over 2000 dead. A special communique states: ‘After stubborn fighting our troops occupied the town and railway junction of Lgov. capturing a large quantity of railway equipment, shells and ammunition. After a decisive attack Soviet troops occupied the town of Dmitriev Lgovisky. A large amount of booty is still being sorted.” Lgov is 140 miles westward of Kursk and is the junction of railways from Kharkov to Bryansk and Kursk to Kiev. Dmitriev Lgovisky is some 30 miles north-north-west of Lgov, on the railway to Bryansk.