EVACUATION OF VIAZMA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 60, 13 March 1943, Page 5

EVACUATION OF VIAZMA

RUSSIANS FORCE NAZIS OUT FATE OF KHARKOV UNCERTAIN (By Telegraph—Preae Association —Copyright) Reed. 6.15 p.m. London, March 11. The issue of two great battles on the Russian front is anxiously awaited —the final battle for Viazma, which has been evacuated by the Germans, with Soviet troops closing in from three sides, and the struggle for Kharkov, now in its fifth day and which has reached a climax of ferocity, with the issue still in the balance. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent earlier said the Russians were only 10 miles from Viazma and were converging on the town on a 20-mile front.

The Germans before Kharkov are losing 30 to 40 tanks daily. They are repeating the tactics they used before Stalingrad, namely, a rotation of assaults, which is a costly process for them, but equally it imposes a continual maximum burden upon the defenders.

Official reports confirm that the Germans have succeeded in massing a considerable local superiority in infantry and tanks. The Germans are throwing in one panzer spearhead after another in an attempt to cross the Donetz River. Russian dive-bombers and guns no sooner smash one pontoon bridge than the Germans built another. Similarly, when one group of German tanks is turned back by anti-tank fire, another rolls into battle.

It is thought in Moscow, says Reuter’s correspondent, that Kharkov may become another Stalingrad. It is pointed out that it was south of Stalingrad that the Germans launched a desperate counter-attack to relieve General von Paulus’ trapped forces. Similarly the Germans have switched their main fresh forces south of Kharkov. Soviet resistance so far has proved tough, but the situation is tense. The British United Press correspondent at Moscow says: Having failed to encircle the Russian forces, the Germans are now regrouping southwest of Kharkov and attacking Russian positions with unabated violence. They are probing for weak spots for a drive to Kharkov. Furious fighting is raging everywhere. Red Star says the Germans are trying to penetrate into Kharkov by powerful thrusts with panzers. The Russians had thrown back all attacks and inflicted huge losses. To-day's German communique states: “Our assault division in the Kharkov area drove the enemy back towards the town proper. Fighting is going on in the northern and western borders of the town."

The British United Press said that according to the latest reports, the fall of Viazma was imminent. The capture of Isakovo, about 12 miles from Viazma, on the Viazma-Kaluga railway, had drawn the ring tighter around the city. The Russians have since made a further advance from Isakovo and also pushed on towards Viazma from Byeloi, which is an important main road junction. The Germans captured Byeloi in October, 1941, after bitter fighting. The Russians retook the town by a cleverly planned outflanking move, as the town was too heavily fortified for a direct assault. The Soviet command first paralysed weaker sectors with sudden flank thrusts bv ski troops from thick forest, from where the Germans least expected a blow. Other troops captured strongly built redoubts and eventually surrounded the town. The Russians, taking advantage of the garrison's confusion, then attacked in force, capturing the town after a brief but fierce engagement. Berlin radio claimed that Russian resistance on important roads and railways in the outer Kharkov area had been overcome. A commentator, Captain Sertorious. said the city was closely enveloped from the south and the west, while strong forces were thrusting from the north. The Stockholm correspondent of The Times, however, reports that the Russians have repelled all German efforts to get closer to the city, and the Germans nowhere have managed to establish a footing on the Donetz left bank. The Russians south and south-west of Kharkov are facing the greater part of a powerful German army group, including a newly-formed S.S. corps of 1000 tanks, which earlier failed to cross the northern Donetz, and then switched to Kharkov.

Berlin military spokesmen report bitter battles in the Orel sector. They say the Russians have launched mass attacks with infantry and tanks, and that the pressure is particularly heavy east and south of Orel, where heavy fighting is continuing on a wide front. Moscow reports state the Russians have seized a number of towns and villages south of Lake Ilmen and have captured large quantities of enemy material. Violent fighting continues in this area.

STRUGGLE FOR KHARKOV

Recd. 11.30 p.m. Rugby, March 12. A Soviet supplementary morning communique says: “West of Kharkovlarge enemy tank and infantry forces attacked our positions in waves. At the cost of heavy losses the enemy succeeded m pushing back our troops.” *

RUSSIANS TO LAUNCH COUNTER-ATTACK

Recd. 1.20 a.m. London, March 12. The Red Army is believed to be on the point of launching a great counter-attack against the German ; thrust menacing Kharkov, says! Reuter’s Stockholm correspondent. I The counter-attack will be the main I thrust in a triple offensive on the I southern front. The other Russian attacks will be made in the Donetz and Kuban areas. Paris radio claims that a German artillery unit on the Kharkov front pierced the Russian lines to a depth of 20 miles. Motorised units have a enlarged the breach and encircled ’ enemy positions.

“ACCORDING TO PLAN”

GERMAN VERSION OF EVACUATION Recd. 1 a.m. London, March 12. The evacuation of Viazma, “according to plan,” was admitted by the German news agency. The announcement added: “The disengaging movement was carried out to shorten the frost line and was preceded by the blowing up of waterworks, workshops, rail installations, aerodromes and main roads. The destruction of the town was unavoidable because of its situation in the fighting area. We left untouched cultural buildings, two hosJilalb full of Russian soldiers and

civilians with medical equipment and food supplies.” Pari: radio claims that the Russian resistance around Kharkov has been broken The Germans are now firmly established on all lines of communications on the city's outskirts