RUSSIANS APPROACH GOMEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25386, 18 November 1943, Page 5

RUSSIANS APPROACH GOMEL

(United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Rec. 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 17. Sweeping towards Korosten in a drive to split the German armies, the Red Army has made important headway in the past 24 hours. Powerful forces advancing on the city have overrun 60 places and are now only a mile or two from the town. They have established themselves on the railway line from Korosten to Jitomir and also on a long stretch of the line above Korosten. On the right flank of the Soviet armies lie the great stretches of the Pripet marshes which effectively prevent the Germans from counter-attacking from this direction. As a result the enemy is making a big effort on the southern side of the Russian wedge between Jitomir and Fastov, where heavy tank fighting is taking place. It is suggested that the Russians are fighting a holding battle here to protect the point of their wedge further west. The Germans have flung in major tank forces, which are being hammered by Soviet bombers and dive-bombers. On the northern side of the Pripet marshes, the tide of battle is approaching the German stronghold of Gomel, east of the Dnieper, the most southerly German bastion on the White Russia front. Gomel has been closely invested from the east and south for some weeks and now the Russians are attacking from the north. They have made considerable progress. The enemy rail and road communications from Gomel to the west have already been cut at Ryechitsa, and a correspondent states that the Germans are unlikely to be able to remain in the city much longer. Other reports suggest that Russian artillery is already laying down a barrage on the outskirts of Gomel.