Central Front Battles

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 209, 3 September 1943, Page 5

Central Front Battles

LONDON, Sept. 1. The Germans are suffering heav) .oases as they laff back unuer the continuous ltussian blows on lour ironts, according to the Moscow radio. They xost in one day on the {Smolensk Ironu more than 51/0(J Killed and many taken prisoner, in addition to much equipment destroyed. They also lost 30du "Bled in the battles for Glunhov and .uyISK (on the Desna River, southwest of Kursk;. Three German divisions were ordered io hold Yelnia at all costs. It is in the centre of an elaborate system of defences with a heavy concentration oi anti-tank guns and artillery. The Germans twice brought up iresh reserves and launched repeated counter-attacks in an effort to hold the Russians, but the Russians broke into the town from the east and northeast and routed the /ormans after several hours' street fighting. The Red Star, describing the fall of Glukhov and Ryisk, said the Russians initially broke through the German de- • ences in several directions, then simultaneously applied pressure in other sectors and widened the breach to 60 miles. The German Command made e w ery effort to stem the Russians. It rushed up considerable reinforcements and launched counter-attacks, all of which were repulsed. The Germans then began to retreat. The Russians’ speedy appearance in the town surprised the Germans, who brought up further considerable forces and counterattacked. The northern outskirts of the town repeatedly changed hands, but the Russian tommygunners mounted tanks and broke in the centre and destroyed or took prisoner the garrison, which had not succeeded in retreating. _ The Red Star adds that fighting was simultaneously going on for Ryisk. Strong Russian attacks north of Ryisk drew off part of the German forces from the town. The Russians struck a sudden blow through the northern defences, emerging to the northwest and 'solating the town from Glukhov. They also broke through to the southeastern outskirts of the town, after which decisive attacks were launched from both directions.