MARETHLINE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 9 February 1943, Page 2

MARETHLINE

ALLIES MASSING TANKS AND GUNS ATTACK ON ROMMEL’S POSITIONS EXPECTED London, Feb. 8. Morocco radio reports British troops are now less than 15 miles from the Mareth Line. Reuter’s Cairo correspondent says General Montgomery has massed tanks and guns along the Tunisian frontier in readiness to attack Field-Marshal Rommel’s positions around the Mareth Line.—P.A. KHARKOV NOW MENACED RUSSIAN DRIVE WESTWARD GERMAN COMMUNICATIONS BEING SMASHED GIANT OUTFLANKING MOVE (Rec. 12.25 p.m.) London, Feb. 8. The Russians are strengthening the positions gained by the thrust southwards, deepening their pincer claw as they did before encircling Field-Mar-shal Paulus at Stalingrad. General Vatoutin’s forces are * advancing toward Losovaya, where, following the strategy of smashing German communications they will grip yet another vital rail junction threatening further cutting of German rail connections westward. Kharkov is menaced by drives westward which have reached points 50 to 60 miles northwards and southwards. Byelgorod, which protects Kharkov from the north, is imminently endangered, and Kursk, is another bastion imperilled by General Golikov’s right wing which severed comunications to Orel. It is also cut off from Kharkov by the occupation of Gistichevo.

The Moscow correspondent of the British United Press says the Russians are aiming to cut the chief roads and railways of German strongholds, after which they will deal with each individually. This strategy, supported by the giant outflanking move southward, will force the Germans to make an early decision whether to defend the Donetz basin or retire to the Dneiper. The correspondent adds if the Germans decide to try to hold the Donetz they must halt on the Russian rivers southward and westward, of which at present there is no sign. Otherwise, if the Russians cut the DneproptrovskStalino railway, which is coming within their advance the Germans will possess for retreat only a main line running south-west from Stalino. RED ARMY BEFORE ROSTOV Violent fighting continues in the Rostov area, but there is no reliable information whether the Germans are evacuating the city. The Moscow correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain reports that the Russians have drawn up their forces before Rostov and may be even issuing an ultimatum on the Germans demanding their surrender. GERMANS SURRENDERING IN DROVES Moscow radio says the ring around the Germans trapped southwest of Voronej is now small. Germans are now being mopped up as they surrender in droves.—P.A.