MOSCOW SILENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25385, 17 November 1943, Page 3

MOSCOW SILENT

BATTLES IN- DNIEPER BEND BREACH ABOVE KRIVOI ROG LONDON, Nov. 15. Russian sources are still silent regarding the progress of the battle within the Dnieper bend, where the Germans said that over 300,000 Russian troops are employed. The German High Command, however, admitted that the Russians are making break-through attempts, and also that a breach was made above Krivoi Rog. The Germans did not claim that this breach was sealed up. Captain Sertorius, the Berlin radio commentator, stated, that the Russians, advancing with superior forces, gained ground north of Krivoi Rog, and were only .halted by German counterthrusts. He added that the Russian pressure along this whole sector continues. The British United Press Moscow correspondent says that the Germans are making their greatest effort in the Fastov region, where enormous forces of tanks, infantry, and cavalry are interlocked in battle. The * Germans are striving to stem the advance threatening to break the backbone of their communications in the Ukraine. A break-through in this area would bring the Russians almost 250 miles

west of the Germans at Kremenchug, in the rear of the big battle for Krivoi Kog. This might enclose the Germans in the Dnieper trap or force a headlong retreat. The correspondent adds that, notwithstanding the great battles, the weather is holding up the Russians, who are fighting the last phases of the autumn campaign. The great winter offensive is almost ready. The Russians along the whole front are consolidating their positions and making final preparations. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says the Russians are now five miles from the railway between Gomel and Ryecnitsa and seven miles from Ryechitsa itself. Paris radio declares that crack Russian forces are attacking in the Neva', and Gomel sectors, where the Germans at some points have been forced to modify their lines.