THE UKRAINE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 16 February 1942, Page 5

THE UKRAINE

GREAT RUSSIAN DRIVE EXPECTED TANK BATTLES SAID TO BE RAGING ißec. 11.43 a.m.) London, Feb. 1 There is growing evidence that General Timoshenko is about to undertake a great Ukraine drive. His powerfully reinforced armies are now attacking all along the southern front where it is reported big tank battles are raging. The Russians are developing the

lory fire, and the Germans admit that the Red Army has broken through at points south-east of Kharkov and north of Taganrog. General Timoshenko evidently striving to widen the wedge between the German Donelz and Sea of Azov ment, because the Germans have hel-i on at Taganrog and Theodosia with large forces, suggesting that these points are intended to be a springboard for the Caucasus attack at the end of ths MILLS I ROM OLD POLISH FRONTIER miles from the old Polish frontier in the Wilno district, says a dispatch from the Moscow front. The Russians cap lured five 'populated points around Mechovo thirty miles southwards. The Berlin radio reported that Ru sions had breached German positions at Starayarussa, but the German* brought up fresh reserve- and recaptui - ed Starayarussa. MUCH BOOTY CAPTURED Though this morning’s Soviet war communique maintains the reticence of Soviet communiques during the pasi few weeks, merely stating that during the night Russian forces continued offensive operations against the enem;.. it is clear from a supplement to this [communique that considerable losses [continue to be inflicted on the Germans I both in men and material. The supplementary communique says: Tn one sector our men routed a fort: 1 fled point and killed 340 enemy officers and men. and captured 17 tank guns, 50 horses and other weapons. In twu days on several sectors on the Lenin grad front the enemy lost in killed 1800 officers and men. Our troops captured booty, including 27 gun.. 26 automatics and 1 radio transmitter. They destroyed during the same period 2 tanks, 88 guns and 20 machine-guns. In one sector of the south-western front cur troops liberated three localities, v. iping out 1700 German officers and men. On another sector of the same front lone unit repulsed enemy counter attacks and captured 3 anti-tank guns. 10 trench mortars. 26 machine-guns, 20.000 i rounds of ammunition and other weapons.”—B.O.W. and P.A