SUICIDAL STAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 9 April 1945, Page 5

SUICIDAL STAND

NAZIS IN VIENNA RUSSIANS CAPTURE ARSENAL TRAIN COMMUNICATIONS CUT London April 8. The Germans in Vienna are resisting bitterly behind barricades and walls of factories. The Russians have* to force Germans from the cellars and rooftops of workers’ settlements where they ! are putting up a suicidal stand. The Russians have captured the arsenal and other strongpoints. The Red Air Force is bombing the city and patrolling all roads I and railways. Communications for armoured trains have been cut. The British United Press Moscow correspondent says the Russians are making an all-out drive to throw the enemy from the city with as little destruction as possible. They remember what happened at Budapest where the Germans, being given time, blew up bridges, monuments and historic buildings. The Russians in Vienna are blocking houses and strongpoints and splitting the garrison into disconnected groups. Distribution of food to civilians has ceased and public services are no longer functioning. Civilians who have managed to reach the Red Army lines say the Germans have declared martial law and are executing rumour-mongers on the spot. The Australian Freedom Radio, reporting clashes between Viennese and German authorities, stated that hand 'grenades were thrown at Gestapo officials in the workers’ area in the northwest part of the city, while police in , some places have been disarmed. Advanced units of the Red Army from the west are already probing into the city’s western outskirts, added the radio. CONFUSION AMONG CITIZENS Fierce fighting is going on in the famous Botanical Gardens of Vienna as Soviet troops fight their way towards ; the heart of the city, cables a Moscow correspondent. Hour by hour the Red Army is enlarging its grip on the capital while confusion among Austrian citizens is mounting. Refugees are enraged at Hitler’s decision to sacrifice their city and at the food shortage that has been allowed to materialise. There is good reason to believe the Germans will be unable td make a stand in Vienna similar to those at Breslau and Konigsberg.