RED ARMY'S PROGRESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 12 January 1944, Page 5

RED ARMY'S PROGRESS

115 MILES INTO POLAND Fronk German Admissions DIFFICULTIES ON EASTERN FRONT London, Jan. 1 I. A Russian force has reached the neighbourhood of Kovell, 80 miles west of Sarny, representing a penetration of about 1 I 5 miles into Poland from the 1939 border. Another Russian group, 30 miles south of Sarny, is advancing against Rovno. The German-controlled Stockholm Telegraph Bureau quotes a Berlin military spokesman for this report, says Reuter s correspondent in Stockholm. Earlier military circles in Berlin admitted that the Russians had captured Sarny. The S.T.B. adds: “Heavy fighting is going on in these sectors, the outcome of which has not yet been decided, but the Russians have big reserves for the new push into Polish territory. German military spokesmen continue to make frank admissions of German difficulties on the eastern front. They last night painted the picture one shade blacker. Hitherto they have spoken mainly about the Red Army’s progress within Russian territory, but last night they referred to Russian advances in Poland itself. The Stockholm Telegraph Bureau quotes a Berlin report that real winter is beginning to prevail on the Ukrainian front. German armies are stumbling westwards among huge snowdrifts in a temperature 2 1 degrees below zero. German military quarters describe the Russian winter offensive as staggeringly colossal, says Vichy radio. Russian attacks which so far have not forced a decisive breach in the German lines are now spreading to different of the front which hitherto have been quiet. General Vatoutin’s force of 50 divisions is continuing to push on. Units reached the Rovno-Berdichev railway at several points. Attacks against Vitebsk have entered a new stage as the Soviet Command has thrown in fresh reserves.