CHARGE BY TITO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1944, Page 4

CHARGE BY TITO

MIKHAILOVITCH HELPING GERMANS AND FIGHTING AGAINST COMPATRIOTS. IN SERBIAN BORDER AREA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m;) ? RUGBY, May 21. General Mikhailovitch has taken charge of the operations against Partisan troops on the border of Serbia and the Sanjak,” says this morning’s communique from Marshal Tito’s Headquarters. “Strong German reinforcements, including Chetnik troops in German lorries, are pouring into Serbia. In Croatia fighting is extremely fierce, especially in the Lika Province, and in the sector of Lika-Petrovo-Selo-suluj, where the enemy has suffered heavy losses. In the Croat province of Slovenia our units are waging successful offensive operations in Herzegovina. A strong German and Chetnik column was routed and withdrew towards Trebinje. In Western Bosnia three Chetnik battalions were defeated and a military train was blown up on the Bihac-Krupa line. Our units are carrying out offensive operations in Vojvadina. The enemy has failed to drive our troops from southern Srijem. The German offensive in Istria has broken down.” MIKHAILOVITCH DEAD ACCORDING TO MUSSOLINI PAPER. (Received This Day. Noon.) LONDON, May 21. According to Mussolini’s newspaper, “Regime Fascista,” the Yugoslav Chetnik’s leader. General Mikhailovitch, was killed by Marshal Tito’s partisans on May 13. The report, which bore a Belgrade date line, has not been confirmed from other sources. It said that Mikhailovitch arrived in Croatia “to conduct operations personally against Communist bands,” and was killed on the road between Jagodina and Cyogria.