MASSING IN EAST

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25048, 11 November 1944, Page 7

MASSING IN EAST

RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS PART OF ALLIED PLAN STRIKING ON TWO FRONTS (RecjJ, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 10 Immense troop movements have been proceeding behind the Eastern Front for some weeks, states the Moscow correspondent of the Daily Express. The Germans would doubtless give much to know where all General Govorov's divisions from the former Leningrad front are today. They would also like to know the disposition of General Bagramyan's army group. Marshal Rokossovsky and Marshal Koniev have been building up their strength in Poland for almost two months, and,must be more than ready for action, but much depends on the tempo of preparation on the Western Front. Not Expected Just Yet "We may be certain," says tile correspondent, "that by the time General Eisenhower is ready, the Russians will also be ready. As Marshal Stalin indicated, the positions from which the final assault on Germany will be launched have been, won, but, as this assault will certainly be simultaneous from the East and from the West, it is not expected that it will be launched for some weeks yet. "This is not only because of the weather, but also because the Allies in the West have not yet built up all their necessary supplies or got all their reinforcements into the line. Stalin's and Eisenhower's forces are going to move together, with perhaps the exception of the forces in Hungary and Yugoslavia." More Gains in Hungary The Russians in Hungary have cleared more territory over the west bank of the upper Tisa north-east of Budapest. A Moscow report says one Russian formation forced its way across the river, repelled eight German counter-attacks, and then advanced more than 12 miles. Altogether more than 50 places have been captured. North-west of Szeged, says a supplementary communique, the Russians drove bade large enemy forces attempting to penetrate our rear. The Russians killed more than 1000 and took 800 prisoners. A Moscow communique says that enemy attempts to reconnoitre our positions in East Prussia were dispersed with heavy enemy losses. ESCAPING GERMANS HARASSED FROM AIR TASK FOR BALKANS FORCE (Reed. (5.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 10 Marshal Tito's communique says there has been more hard fighting against the Germans trying to escape from Yugoslavia. The communique particularly mentions heavy Allied air attacks on the retreating columns. A correspondent at Mediterranean headquarters, referring to the Balkans Air Force, says that last July is consisted only of a few squadrons, but now it is the largest R.A.F. force in the Mediterranean. It has the most unique job in the war —to trap the huge mass of Germans now trying to get back to Germany from Yugoslavia. One group from Greece has got as far as the mountain districts of Northern Albania, but is hemmed in on all sides by Yugoslav and Allied troops, and its only hope is to break through to the plains. The Balkan Air Force is there to stop that. Further north, anothermass of Germans is in the same position, and is making for the roads back to Austria. If these Germans can be thinned down by air attack in this unprotected country, the winter will probably finish them off as a fighting force. The programme, says the correspondent, is already in full swing. Great air formations, diverted from the bad weather area of Northern Italy, are now serving with the Balkan Air Force bombing road and rail targets and smashing road transport. NON-WAR LEND-LEASE MORE AID FOR BRITAIN (Rccd. 8.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 10 The United States is planning to extend 5,000,000,000 dollars' credit to Britain and other Allies for the purchase of non-war goods, in addition to regular lend-lease, in the period between the defeat of Germany and the fall of Japan, says the New York Herald-Tribune's Washington„correspondent. Key officials of the Administration, says the correspondent, assert that the new Congress will be asked to approve the programme, because supplementary aid for Britain other than lend-lease is vital to American interests during the Japanese war. It is pointed out that the strengthening of her domestic economy will enable Britain to take part more fully in the finale in the Pacific and will accelerate world-wide economic recovery after the war. CONTROL OF LABOUR UNION CONGRESS VIEWS (Rrrd. 0.30 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 10 The Trades Union Congress has issued a statement on the control of labour after the war against Germany, ft says the General Council of Congress told the Ministry of Labour that in its opinion workers would greatly resent the Government continuing to use its present powers of compulsory direction. At the same time, it recognised that some control of labour may be necessary to ensure keeping up arms production for the war aaginst Japan and for satisfying the demand for consumable goods in Britain while building up export trade. The statement suggests that under these controls any unemployed workers who reasonably refuse to work in vital industries should lose their unemployment benefits. It also advocates compulsory registration of all persons looking for work.SHIPS HELD UP THREE AUSTRALIAN. PORTS (Reed. 8.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 10 Ships are now held up in three Australian ports. Cooks refuse to offer for work because war risk bonus rates have been reduced. More ships are expected to become involved. A statement, issued by the directorate of shipping today said that Australia's war commitments were so urgent that any further shipping delays would have serioiM result*.