Embittered Fighting in Parts of Bohemia

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 111, 12 May 1945, Page 5

Embittered Fighting in Parts of Bohemia

Hordes of Panicstricken Germans

Feeing From Russians

Wreckage of Once Great Army Clogs Eighth Army’s Path

United Press Assn. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Friday, 11.45 p.m. LONDON, May 11

I mbittered fighting is going on between the Russians and Germans in some isolated sectors in Bohemia, says the Associated Press’s correspondent in Moscow. The Russians have thrown in new armour and motorcycle troops directed by Stormoviks to smash the last groups of Nazi fanatics who have broken the surrender terms.

Mopping-up continues from the Baltic to the Alps. More than 200,000 prisoners have been taken in the past 24 hours. Thousands of panicstricken German troops striving to reach a point beyond the Russian lines delayed the British Eighth Army on its way to link up with the Red Army in Austria, says the Associated Press’s correspondent. The wreckage of the German Army which fought the Balkan campaign litters mile after mile of the twisting mountain road. Columns of soldiers, some barefoot, wind endlessly over the hills. They delayed the Eighth Army so long that the link-up did not take place at Graz as planned and the Russians had already reached Voitsburg west of Graz when they met the British. The Russians in the town are friendly and curious but heavily armed and alert. They placed poles across the road before their lines and prevented anyone entering, including the British. They were in the town only a few hours when the British arrived but invited our officers to breakfast at which there was a Russian band and a succession of courses.