RUSSIAN FORCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25796, 17 March 1945, Page 7

RUSSIAN FORCES

STORMING KOENIGSBERG CITY UNDER SHELL FIRE INCESSANT BOMBARDMENT (Rec. 1 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. 16. Battle formations of Red Army cavalry, motorised infantry, and tanks are to-day storming tihe outer defences of Koenigsberg, reports the British United Press correspondent in Moscow. They are fighting under five miles from the south-western suburbs of the city, which is under incessant bombardment from mighty Russian siege guns 10 miles away. Two more columns are wheeling to the west to mount a decisive assault and wipe or.t the second remaining German pocket in East Prussia.

Russian tanks and infantry which yesterday drove to Frischieshaff have already enlarged the wedge between isolated German groups to a width of four miles.

Front-line despatches report bitter street fighting in Kolberg. Marshal Rokossovsky’s forces between Kolberg and Koenigsberg are returning to the attack against Gdynia and Danzig after a temporary lull because of adverse weather.

A Soviet communique says that troops south-west of Koenigsberg yesterday reached the coast at Frischeshaff and occupied a number of inhabited localities, including one five miles south-west of Koenigsberg, which, after changing hands several times, is now firmly held. By reaching the coast at Frischeshaff, the Russians cut into the East Prussian enemy grouping and split it into two parts. They yesterday took over 1000 prisoners in this area. Final Rounds Reuter’s correspondent, commenting on the protracted battle in East Prussia, believes the Russians are now fighting a way to victory in the final rounds of the struggle. The Germans have turned every village into a fortress. Fighting has been heavy and progress slow. The country is sodden after the sudden thaw. Russian guns are blasting the Germans out of waterlogged trenches, while tanks drive along the roads cutting up enemy positions. The Russians south-west of Koenigsberg pressed the surrounded German forces farther back towards the sea, gaining some ground in bitter battles, in which the Germans lost about 6000 men in killed and captured, states the British United Press correspondent in Moscow. The number captured is twice the number killed. Marshal Rokossovsky’s troops in the Danzig and Gdynia area are advancing in rain, snow, 'and clinging mist. Russian sappers are struggling day and night to keep the Vistula crossings intact under a battering from ice floes. Front line reports from south of Danzig says the roads are unusable.

Moscow correspondents state the German onslaught north-east and east of Lake Balaton has not slackened. The climax may not yet have been reached. The Germans apparently are not concerned about the terrific casualties they have suffered, and are continuing their attacks. Marshal Koniev’s troops in Breslau have reached one of the biggest squares in the burning city, says Red Star. The Germans are blasting the biggest buildings into rubble to form road blocks.

Threat to Austria Marshal Malinovsky, with Zvolen in his hands, controls four important railways, and can move on any of five main roads fanning out to the north, the west, and the south. His advanced guards on this front are 30 miles from the Nitra River, which is the next major barrier. It is under 100 miles from Bratislava and 128 miles from Vienna. To-night’s Soviet communique, after referring to East Prussia, says that troops in Kolberg continued to fight for the liquidation of the enemy group blocked in the eastern part of the town. The Russians in Hungary, north-east and east of Lake Balaton, continued to repel infantry and tank attacks. Artillery in this area destroyed 50 tanks and self-propelled guns. The German News Agency says that the Russians have broken into the eastern part of Kolberg, where heavy fighting is progressing. Most of the civilians have been evacuated. Reuter’s correspondent recalls that the Baltic seaport of Kolberg was cut off when Marshal Zhukov’s troops reached the coast on both sides of the town. The trapped garrison has put up a stubborn defence.