Will Still Be In Finland On September 15

Northern Advocate, 14 September 1944, Page 3

Will Still Be In Finland On September 15

(Rec. 1 p.;n.)

LONDON. Sept. 13.

News from North Finland shows that German troops cannot be out by September 15, the date fixed by the Russian and Finnish Governments as the end of the period in which the Germans should withdraw voluntarily says the Stockholm correspondent of “The Times.” The German forces stiii occupy the same positions as before in North Finland. Information suggests that the Germans intend to retire only gradually. fighting rearguard actions, presumably until they reach a short more permanently defenceable line in North Norway.

Reuter's Stockholb correspondent says that political quarters in Stockholm forecast a German-Finnish war within two days as a result of the tardy wihdrawal of the German troops from Finland. Tonight's Soviet communique repeats the capture of Lomza, adding that the Russians in the area of Praga, on the right bank of the f Vistula, engaged in fierce fighting in "which the Ist Poiish Army is participating. The Russians south of Rzeszow, after stubborn battles, captured the town and rail station of Krosno and 100 other places. The Russians have reached the Polo-Czechoslovak frontier.

The Russians in North-west Rumania, as a result of stubborn fighting, captured Campulung, important Ger-mano-Hungarian strongpoint in a pass through the Carpathians. In North Transylvania, in co-operation with the Rumanians, they captured the town and rail junction of Odorhei and 50 other places.

Expect Junction With Tito

The long-delayed news of the link-up between Marshal Tito’s forces and Ihe Red Army is expected today, says the Moscow correspondent of the Associated Press. A group of Russian war correspondents are reported to have I'-ft Moscow lor Yugoslavia to witness the meeting'. The Rus-sian-Rumanian campaign across Transylvania has developed into a two-pronged offensive. The northernmost spearhead has reached Aiud, and the southern prong has seized Neva. 90 miles from the Hungarian frontier. The campaign is continuing against stiff but sporadic defence. Only about 12,000 square miles of Transylvania remain uncleared. The whole enemy army group in the Carpathians is in danger* of being outflanked, reports “Red Star." The Germans and Hungarians have been forced to abandon the most vital; positions, and our frontal operations® coupled-with attacks against their left flank, are preventing the enemy from regrouping. Drive Against Warsaw The German Overseas News Agency’s military correspondent states that tire Russian drive between the Narew River and Radzyrnin against Warsaw has in no way slackened. Heavy lighting is going no between Oslreteka and Lomza. Main fighting in the past 24 hours has' centred on the Sanok-Krosna sector. The Russians have made a small breach south of San ok.

According to an announcement broadcast over Moscow radio, the Russians completely liquidated 15 German divisions in a fortnight of fighting for Jassy and Kishinev. The announcement stated that not a single Gorman detachment escaped from the ring. Over 150.000 Germans were killed, including five generals and two colonels, and 100,000 were captured, including nine generals and four colonels, also the commandants at Jassy and Kishinev, and two generals who abandoned their trops and sought, refuge in Hungarian territory. The Germans, also lost (destroyed or captured) 338 planes. 830 tanks and self-propelled guns, and 3500 guns.