TROOPS DESERTED
GERMAN OFFICERS IN KANEV POCKET LARGE FORGE THREATENED RUSSIAN DRIVE TO ODESSA (Rec. 1.40 p.m.) London. Feb. *4. The ten German divisions trapped in the Kanfy pocket arc defying the Russian call to surrender but German High Command staff members are deserting their troops and flying out to safety as the Russians press in, say messages from Moscow. Reuters correspondent estimate that a little more than half of a force of 120,000 will be left when the Russians overrun the pocket, if the present casualty rate continues High Command staff members are flying out of the pocket in transport planes which are dropping small supplies of vital necessities. The men these officers led into the trap are nearing the end, though still bitterly resisting. Once the trap is liquidated there will be nothing to halt a Russian drive of unprecedented power to Odessa. “Red Star” says the Germans are fighting like wild beasts caught in a trap. All their attempts to escape will be futile. The German tank division encircled with nine infantry divisions is the S.S. Viking Division. It tried 12 times yesterday to break out and suffered heavily.
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Bibliographic details
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 5 February 1944, Page 2
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192TROOPS DESERTED Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 5 February 1944, Page 2
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