Widespread German Retreat Probable

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 207, 1 September 1943, Page 5

Widespread German Retreat Probable

LONDON, Aug. SO. Military observers in London believe that the German withdrawal from Taganrog presages a widespread German retreat to the Dnieper River, although it will undoubtedly be accompanied by heavy fighting. One report states that Taganrog was taken after stiff fighting in which the Soviet Black Sea Fleet played its part. Taganrog was the last link with the German dreams of reaching the Caucasian oil through Rostov. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says that German hopes of holding on to the remaining vantage points around Kharkov are fading fast as the Red Army drives on from Lyubotin (12 miles southwest). The enemy is getting no time to re-form his shaken troops and Russian tanks and divebombers are smashing up his hastily erected fortifications. GERMAN EXPLANATION While Mr. Stalin in his Order of the Day makes it clear that the Germans were forced out of Taganrog, the enemy continues to assert that the port was evacuated according to plan. To-day’s German communique claims that Taganrog ‘‘is completely destroyed.” The German News Agency military commentator said: ‘‘The evacuation of Taganrog may have surprised the public, particularly since the Russians have given no news of fighting in that area. The withdrawal of the German line in this sector must obviously have some strategic signincance. This manoeuvre, which remained undetected by the enemy, shows that the German Command is master of the situation ana acts the moment it considers suitable. It is pointed out in Berlin that, however important certain towns and areas may be, they can be abandoned without harm because there is so much space at the disposal of the German Command. The Germans quickly learned to use the Russian methods of elastic strategy, provided it is more advantageous and less costly in men and materials ana inflicts the greatest possible enemy losses.” WELL BEYOND TAGANROG The Russians have made a breakthrough in southern Russia and are advancing on a 40-miie front. Taganrog is already far in the rear. It is announced that the Russians have taken a place 25 miles west ot Taganrog and are nearly half-way to Mariupol. The firing of a salute of guns over Moscow in celebration of the recapture of Taganrog was clearly heard in London to-night over the radio. Taganrog was evacuated by the Soviet troops on October 21, 1941. When the Russians recaptured Rostov in December, 1941, they pushed forward towards Taganrog, but did not occupy the town. Later, the Germans occupied Rostov a second time. They were

driven out during the last Soviet winter offensive on February 14, 1943. The Russians then advanced again towards Taganrog, but failed to reach it. Taganrog, after nearly two years ot German occupation, is very strongly fortified, which increases the value ot the Soviet victory. This advance, in conjunction with the Soviet offensive northwest of Voro shilovgrad and south of Kharkov, endangers the entire German position in the Donetz Basin. A further advance westwards from Taganrog along the coast of the Sea of Azov would endanger the German positions in the Crimea.

Taganrog, on the northeastern arm of the Sea of Azov, is connected by rail with Rostov-on-Don to the east. Its peacetime population is about 200,000. It has three harbours, but there is no regular port accommodation and the usual anchorage ground, 18 to 2Cft deep, is 25 to 30 miles from Taganrog. It is ice-bound for three or four months in winter, and the depth of water near the town may be diminished by as much as 7ft by a prolonged east wind. Taganrog’s exports include grains and wool. Many of the exports are brought by lighters or local steamers from Rostov. The town has a fishing industry and manufactures metal goods (especially instruments) and paper. Its commercial importance dates from the construction of the railway linking it with Kharkov. The Anglo-French fleet bombarded and partially destroyed Taganrog in 1855.