“Stand Fast On Fatherland’s Life Line”: Nazi Order

Northern Advocate, 2 October 1943, Page 5

“Stand Fast On Fatherland’s Life Line”: Nazi Order

LONDON, October 1

German resistance is stiffening. An order: “Stand fast on the Fatherland’s lifeline at- all costs,” has been issued to all German divisions in the Vitebsk, Orsha, Mohilev and Gomel area, says Reuter’s Moscow correspondent. The Germans have seized the most favourable period of the year, when roads are beginning to bog down with autumn rains, to throw in jealously hoarded reserves along the White Russia line. It remains to be seen how this will influence continued Russian progress until the period of “roadlessness” effectively bolds up all major operations until the winter freeze-up. On Warsaw Highway Ynere is no doubt the German High Command is making a big effort to save Vitebsk, Mohilev, Orsha and Gomel. However, the situation on the White Russian front remains critical for the enemy. The Russians are less than 10 miles north-east cf Orsha at Dubrovka, and are battering towards Mohilev. Other Russian units further north are less than 30 miles from Vitebsk, while southwards they are beating on the gates of Gomel. Fighting is heavy on all sectors.

Nov/ that practically the whole east bank of the Dnieper between Kiev and Dnepropetrovsk has been cleared of the enemy, the Russians are reinforcing and reorganising for a general onslaught against the west bank. Tass. describing the fall of Krichev. mentions the Warsaw highway for the first time.

“Violent fighting broke out along the Warsaw highway where the Germans sent in large forces of infantry and Self-propelled guns.’’