NAZI RIGHT FLANK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 206, 1 September 1943, Page 5

NAZI RIGHT FLANK

NOW IN BAD POSITION Recd. 7 p.m. London. Aug. 30. Reuter’s military correspondent says that th.? evacuation of Taganrog makes it clear that the whole right flank of the German army is compromised and th? process of withdrawal has begun. Berlin radio to-day announced: “In execution of measures for shortening the front which had been prepared for some time, the German troops evacuated Taganrog last night. All important military installations in the town and harbour were destroyed according to plan.” The radio claimed that Russian forces which attempted to disturb the German movements suffered heavy losses. Taganrog had a population in peacetime of 200,000. Lyubotin, the large defence keypoint 12 miles vest-south-west of Kharkov, was captured by the Russians after a terrific battle which lasted for several days. The capture of the town will enable the Russians to outflank the German belt of pillboxes and minefields south-west of Kharkov, Moscow’ radio says the Red Army entered the town after repelling for several days German infantry counterattacks supported by tanks and planes. The Germans continued to attack practically without interruption w’ith considerable infantry forces. Including fresh reserves, which were supported in every assault by 50 to 60 tanks, but they failed to retake the town.