DRIVE UP DANUBE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 2 October 1944, Page 5

DRIVE UP DANUBE

RED ARMY BATTERS GERMANS ENERGETIC HELP FROM YUGOSLAVS THREAT TO SOUTHERN FLANK (Rec. 10.55 a.m.) Rugby, Oct. 1. Crossing the Danube from Rumania into the north-eastern corner of Yugoslavia not far from Bulgaria, the Red Army is battera way through German strongpoints, says a Moscow message. Marshal Tito’s Partisans and the Yugoslav population afe energetically helping to repair bridges and roads, mined by the Germans or by themselves, and with guerrilla activity. The Russians are moving west up the southern bank road of the broad winding Danube to add weight to the drive towards Belgrade, Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. The Russians and Yugoslavs have in. creased the threat to Hungary’s southern flank. Russians in south Poland hav.e deepened their penetrations into the Carpathian passes. The enemy position in northern Transylvania has deteriorated as a result of the Russian sweep across the Hungarian plain west of Timisoara where no natural barriers h'nder the advance. The battle for Warsaw has become one of attrition, both sides throwing in more and more forces. RUSSIANS CLOSE IN ON RIGA Germans in Riga who are besieged from three sides continue fierce resistance but the Russians are closing in their arc around the city. The German news agency reports a new strong Russian attack against northern passes in the Carpathians, where it says fierce fighting is raging. The Hungarian High Command admits the Russian advances in the Szegred sector.

A Czechoslovak communique reports bitter defensive battles against strong enemy attacks in the direction of Dolny. Hamry and Zarnovice. In the Upper Vah Valley the Germans have suffered heavy losses. The Red Army with the co-operation of Bulgarian forces has begun the occupation of Greek Thrace and is creating Communist local administrations, says the Exchange Telegraph Agency’s Istanbul correspondent. A German war reporter says after taking Praga the Russians forced their way into Warsaw itself but dive-bomb-ers and artillery are creating bedlam inside the city.