NAZI DEFENCE LINES SMASHED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 202, 27 August 1943, Page 5

NAZI DEFENCE LINES SMASHED

(By Te.'egrjph -Press Association— Copyright' * Reed. 7 p.m. London, Aug. 25. Tiie mighty Russian armies which have smashed beyond Kharkov—the two north-west and south-west of Kharkov threatening Poltava and the two pouring into the Donetz Basin from the east and north, threatening Stalino—are still blasting their way through the German defence. Moscow radio declared: "Cur victorious forces are advancing into the Ukraine on a broad front. Ihe Germans are doing their utmost to stem the drive south-west of Voroshilovgrad, but despite bitter resistance the Red Army has thrust westward and crossed a water barrier.” Correspondents continue to emphasise the great significance of the drive toward the Donetz Basin with its potential danger to the German forces in the whole area and in the Kuban. Reuter’s .Moscow correspondent says the Russians have captured two important bridgeheads in the Donetz Basin, and are now streaming through the gaps in the German lines west of the im-

portant (icrnian base of St al ino. The Germans are still sending reserves to the threatened sectors in the attempt to seal the breaches, but the Russians beat olf a big German counter-attack between Voroshilovgrad and Stall no. The Russians advancing against Stalino are smashing up one Ge. man strong-point after anothe.. aer.s in? Reuter correspond .-nt. They are fully exploiting th-.' outflanking tactics which were so successful in the Kharkov and Byelgorod terrain, w.-iich, unbroken by screams, hills, and ravines, is helping the Russians. The correspondent nevertheless, points out that the .Germans, who have been fortifying this region for months, ar ■ well dug in, with numerous pillboxes protected by barbed-wire. The Moscow correspondent of the British United Press says that the great battle for the whole Donetz Basin is developing favourably after hard initial fighting which resulted in a breach in the German positions a Mius and the Russian push across tne Donetz at Izyum. The Russians are increasingly threatening two vital Donetz cities, Gorlovka and Stalino. The Red Star says that in successful battles south-west of Voroshilovgrad the Russians deeply penetrated the German defences. Tne paper adds: “The Germaps in the Ukraine are suffering enormous losses in counter-attacks. They have been ordered, according to prisoners’ statements, to hold their positions at all costs, and guard the gates to th ‘ Donetz Basin.” To-night's Russian communique states: “The enemy everywhere is suffering enormous losses of mon and material. The Russians have developed their offensive north-west of Kharkov and have occupied over 60 inhabited localities, including Zenkov, 85 miles west-north-west of Kharkov, also Akhtyrka, which has changed hands several time-. Tne Red Army south of Izyum and south-west of Voroshilovgrad has occupied a number of inhabited localities. Southwest of Voroshilovgrad the Russians are gradually widening the wedge in the enemy’s defences and penetrating further.” I Where the Russians have pierced •the Gvman positions on the Mins River they have widened the breaen and noxx- threaten to fan out northxvards and westwards, says the British United Press correspondent. The Russians are not only making the Germans face a very dangerous situation, but are forcing them to move all available reserves from point to point. German morale on this front is reported to be very low. The same correspondent says that the Russians in the great drive against Poltava are advancing towards the Slaviansk-Poltava railwav. Latest reports put the Russians 30 miles from Poltava in the north, while the second Red Army force moving along the Kharkov-Poltava railway is roughly 40 miles from Poltava. Correspondents emphasise that th • Russians have only six weeks of good campaigning weather left.