Russians May be First in Berlin

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 92, 19 April 1945, Page 5

Russians May be First in Berlin

Americans’ Eastern Thrust Halted

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.!

Received Wednesday, 9.30 p.m.. NEW YORK, April 17. The eastern thrust of the Twelfth Army Group, General Eisenhower’s main striking force in the Battle for Germany has been halted, says the New York Times correspondent at Supreme Headquarters. Russian and not American forces will probably enter Berlin first with a junction of the two forces more likely when the two forces’ flanks meet at the beginning of the vast policing operation which must begin in the near future. It is extremely unlikely that any headlong contact will be made by the forces rushing eastwards and westwards. The cessation of our eastern drive does not mean, however, that there are not tremendously difficult operations ahead of the British, American and Soviet Armies when they begin the task of eliminating German resistance in the areas still under German control —roughly 30 per cent, of the Greater Reich at the start of the Great War. General Bradley’s eastern drive has been halted because of supply problems and the difficult and lengthy task of coordinating the Shaef tactical plans with the Russians.