DESNA LINE BREACHED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24690, 16 September 1943, Page 4

DESNA LINE BREACHED

The remorseless pressure of the Red Armies has ejected the enemy from still another of his chief Russian supply bases and centres of communications at Briausk. No doubt the value of the city in these roles had already been seriously discounted to the enemy by the Russian advances to the north and south. Nevertheless this nodal point will be of the greatest use to the Red Armies as a forward base in prosecuting their offensive. Its fall also marks the first major breach in the 400-mile line of the River Desna. This great tributary covers the eastern approaches to the Upper Dnieper line. Its width —over 400 yards at Briansk—is enhanced as a military obstacle by the height of the western bank. Yet the enemy has not been able to muster the strength to halt the Russian drive at this formidable moat. Now that the Red Armies have secured the bridgehead at Briansk, the way is open to move north-west through Roslavl upon Smolensk, the enemy's general headquarters, or south-west on Gomel, another main base sited east of the Dnieper. It would appear from reports that the main Russian armies are wheeling north toward the assault of Smolensk. The historic city is already threatened from the Russian salient at Veliki Luki, established six months ago, and since left dormant, possibly awaiting the extension of the southern arm of the pincers, now effected by the capture of Briansk.