FURTHER SOVIET GAINS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24831, 3 February 1942, Page 5

FURTHER SOVIET GAINS

SWEEP IN UKRAINE RAPIDITY OF ADVANCE FIGHTING AROUND KHARKOV . (£ec. 0.30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb: 2. In Russia the Soviet troops are in some places advancing at a pace more rapid than that of the Germans last autumn. On the central front 20 ■ more localities have been captured in the last few days. Marshal Timoshenko is continuing his great sweep iri the Ukraine, and has swung the left wing - of his army forward in an attempt to cut off the • retreating Germans in the coastal area, where a vast Russian pincer movement is developing. There has been fierce fighting around Kharkov. The Red Star reports that the Russians have recaptured Berestovia, in the Ukraine, as a result of flank attacks leading to the town's encirclement. The 200th German Infantry Regiment had occupied "an advantageous position in this sector, which had been fortified for a month,, and the Russians are now able to occupy strategically important positions. 'The vanguard of Marshal Timoshenko's armies is striking through the Ukraine southwards of Kharkov, and is" reported to be only 37 miles from Dnepropetrovsk. The Russians, thrusting westwards from Losovaga,. have reached the Samara River, a second drive simultaneously progressing southwards, where, the Kuibyshev radio reports, over 200 villages have been recaptured; -,. _ ;- The Moscow radio stated that on the Kalinin front in the last 24 hours the Russians recaptured 10 populated places. They killed or wounded over 1000,"and captured rich booty. The Russians on the • central front in the last three days annihilated 4900 Germans and liberated 60 populated points. Guerrillas attacked a prisoner-of-war camp and N 'freed over 200 Russians. r

The Kuibyshev radio states that the Red Army has made further progress in the. gap smashed in the German lines north-eastwards of Moscow. "' '■"., '■ \ ' s '

BERLIN SURPRISED LATEST SOVIET EXPLOIT PHENOMENAL PROGRESS (Rec. 10 p.m.) ; LONDON, Feb. 2. The Stockholm correspondent 61 The Times says the Russian capture of Berestovoie in the Ukraine ,sector caused a surprise in Berlin, where it is described as an success achieved partly or wholly by organised guerrillas. Therefore it cannot be regarded as marking the progress of Marshal Timoshenko's regular forces. It is also claimed that the position will be quickly retaken. Even if the occupation is only transitory, however, it is an. exploit of the greatest importance, reflecting the insecurity of "the German troops along the Sea of "Azov. If the Russians are at Berestovoie in force, it means that phenomenal progress has been made, auguring well for further developments in +his area. German military circles declare that the. Germans .will, fight to the utmost to avoid retirement from their Taganrog positions, which they describe as the most important section of the whole front and must be held in readiness for a resumption of the offensive in the spring. For the same reason the Russians advancing westwards from Losoyaga will be fiercely opposed.- ; -"• - '■'•' '. ' Rumanian Morale Weakening

GUERRILLA WAR SUB-CARPATHIAN RUSSIA HUNGARIANS HARASSED (Rec." 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 1. The force of 10,000 guerrillas in Sub-Carpathian Russia (the . niost eastern tip of Czechoslovakia,•'. which is now occupied by the Hungarians) daily communicates by radio with their London headquarters, from which the guerrillas' first communique has now been issued. The communique states that "the guerrillas attacked, an Hungarian military unit near Tuska, and- killed at least 30 and;exploded a>munitibn dump. No Russians were killed, but two were wounded. .

The guerrillas attacked a new Huhfarian aerodrome where they anniilated the garrison after a snort engagement and destroyed several planes and also quantities '" of; munitions and petrol. Coal and. munition dumps were set on fire at the Kerecin railway station. . , ' : >

The guerrillas attacked, ah Hungarian supply transport near the village of Sasovka and killed the escort and distributed most of the food among the starving local population: v Dr Pavel Cebere, the Sub-Carpathian Russian representative on the Czech State Council in Loridoh, states that the guerrillas are concentrated in three areas where they are able t° cover communications; "They hide in the mountains and in the;dense valley forests. So far few have been captured. The activity of the "guerrillas has forced the Germans to detail probably three divisions to aid the. Hungarian occupation forces. The scope of the guerrillas' present activities possibly presages a considerable spring offensive. ".

The Red Star says that after stubborn battles extending over the last fortnight there is a .lull on the Sebastopol sector jwvhere the Germans have Withdrawn battered units beyond the second defence line. The remainder of their forces are hurriedly constructing new fortifications. The Germans recently lost four infantry regiments and now apparently, are gathering their forces in preparation for a new offensive against the fortress. The Russian artillery is giving the Germans and Rumanians no respite and Russian infantry is constantly nibbling at the enemy's strong The Red Air Force is ceaselessly attacking and the Russians are gradually taking the initiative.

The morale of the Rumanians is declining daily. War prisoners report that guerrillas blew up the headquarters of the German 68th Division on the Leningrad front and killed many officers, including the commander, General Braun.

The Germans have been obliged to stiffen the Rumanian regiments in the Crimea. The Rumanians are complaining of the length of the war and this is leading to clashes between Rumanians and Germans. German Deserters

A Soviet supplementary communique says the Russians on one sector of the central front occupied the village of "N," and inflicted a severe blow on the enemy. Three hundred and eighty German officers and men were killed. On one sector of the south-west front the Russians, repulsing the enemy, attacked and entered a village. The Germans lost 300 officers and men killed, and left three guns, three trench mortars, and eight machine-guns. One Soviet artillery unit destroyed eight tanks and five guns and killed 200 German officers and men.

The number of German deserters Is increasing, and prisoners state that the fighting morale of the Germans has decreased and that they are not getting sufficient ammunition and foodstuffs. DRAWING ON RESERVES GERMANY'S DEPLETED FORCES RUGBY. Feb. 1. The Russian newspaper Red Star states that the Soviet offensive has already forced the Germans to send 13 new divisions to the eastern front, although Hitler had sought to avoid' sending up reserves until ready for action in the spring. The more numerous the reserves the Germans utilise before the spring, the greater will be the advantage to the Soviet forces, as "we will then have vast reserves, while Hitler's will be scanty. The annihilation' of German man-power is the most important task. " Speed also is urged, because it will force the enemy to abandon equipment, especially tanks,, and also does not give the Germans time to Strengthen their second and third lines of defence." . It is learnt from an authoritative source in Moscow that the Russians announce their victories several days late, and sometimes at a much longer interval, in order not to give information to the enemy, whose communications have been disrupted. Radio remains the sole means of commumy cation open to the enemy, as guerrillas are working havoc in the enemy rear. , » ~ ■ '