OPPOSITE BERLIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25803, 26 March 1945, Page 5

OPPOSITE BERLIN

CLIMACTIC BATTLE RED ARMY’S FULL WEIGHT NEWS FROM GERMAN SOURCES (Rec. 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, Mar. 24. Russian forces, after nine days of heavy fighting, have broken into Klcssin, between Kustrin and Frankfurt, 35 miles from the outskirts of Berlin, states the Berlin radio’s commentator, von Hammer. Thunderous artillery duels opened the new battle around Kustrin. The German News Agency’s military correspondent reports that the Red Army has thrown its full weight into a climactic battle in the Kustrin area, which appears to be a frontal assault on Berlin, coinciding with the Allied drive from the west. Marshal Zhukov’s forces opposite Berlin have thrust forward to Golzow, seven miles west of Kustrin and 33 miles east of Berlin’s outskirts. According to Berlin radio, quoting a front-line reporter: “ Six Red Army rifle divisions and two tank brigades, after terrific artillery drumfire lasting for one, hour and a-half, managed to penetrate our front, and spearheads reached Golzow. An all-out battle is continuing.” The German military spokesman declared that several Russian rifle divisions and an armoured brigade launched a large attack against Kustrin from the east and north. Kustrin was temporarily cut off from communication with the west, but contact has been re-established. The fortress remains in German hands, but fighting is still raging.” On the eve of his all-out assault against Berlin Marshal Zhukov sent a message to workers who supplied planes to his forces: “Victory is near. We are doing everything to hasten it.”