Germans’ Big Counter-Attack In Yugoslavia

Northern Advocate, 13 December 1943, Page 3

Germans’ Big CounterAttack In Yugoslavia

(Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 12. Tito, appealing to units of the Yugoslav People’s Army of Liberation on all fronts in Yugoslavia, said that the Germans, after concentrating strong forces on all sectors, had launched a large-scale offensive against liberated territories. Albanian Quislings and Bulgarian units of Ustachi and Chetniks are fighting with the Germans said the appeal, which was broadcast by the partisan radio. The German offensive is particularly strong in Bosnia and Croatia. The Army of Liberation is offering strong resistance Tito appealed to partisans to destroy bridges, railway lines, factories and enemy supply communications. He urged Yugoslavs stationed in districts where no offensive operations at present are progressing, to attack the most important strategical positions. The appeal concluded: “Forward into battle.” Heavy Defensive Fighting The Yugoslav Liberation Army has announced that heavy defensive fighting is in progress in Sanjak and Bosnia. After two weeks’ fierce struggle, the Germans have captured Prijepolje in the Sanjak province, 50 miles north of the Albanian border. Another German offensive is in progress in the sector of Imotski and Duvno, 40 miles east of Split, in Dalmatia, where heavy fighting has developed. German tanks broke through to Duvno. where the first partisan corps is offering bitter resistance. General Tito, in a message to all units of the Liberation Army, calls on them to resist the enemy’s sixth attempt to destroy the army. The moment has arrived when, with all their strength, they must prove once more that the Liberation Army is invincible. Units in a sector where no enemy offensive operations are in progress, are ordered to launch offensives themselves against most important strategic positions for the defence of liberated territory.