GAPS IN GERMAN LINES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 208, 3 September 1943, Page 5

GAPS IN GERMAN LINES

TORN BY ADVANCING RUSSIANS PRESSING ON TO SMOLENSK (By Telegraph—P.-ew Association —Gopyrigh*) Retd. 7.30 p.m. London, Sept. 2. The Red Army is seriously endangering the 600-mile German front from the forests east of Smolensk to the Sea of Azov. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent declares that Smolensk and Briansk, the two biggest fortresses the Germans still hold, are directly threatened as the Russians tear new gaps in the Germans’ harassed lines. The Russians are still pressing on toward Smolensk from ) elma, and the Smolensk bastion is threatened as never before, the Red Army advance guard being within 35 miles of the city. The Germans’ forosd withdrawal from the Voroshilovgrad area is typical of the retirements they have been compelled to make in order to avoid being outflanked by the f erce Russian thrusts. German High Command communiques had for some time dwelt on the strength of the Russian attacks south-west of Voroshilovgrad. Now the Russians, with the capture of Glukhov and Rylsk, have broken into the northern Ukraine. The enemy apparently realises that the whole of the Ukraine ntay be untenable. The Stockholm newspaper Allehanda reveals that Gauleiter Koch. Reich Commissioner in the Ukraine, telegraphed Berlin to cease sending bombed-out refugees to the Ukraine.

The Russians announce that they- have wiped out the German force which was trapped in the Taganrog region, and captured many more places in the Donbas and on the approaches to .Smolensk. The last Germans surrounded near Taganrog were wiped out early yesterday. More than 35.000 Germans have been killed in the battles of Taganrog, ami over 5000 captured. Eight German divisions, including one paratroop and one tank division, were routed or badly cut up. Moscow announces that over 200 planes and 537 tanks were destroyed, and that, much booty

. fell intact into Russian hands. While the battle of annihilation was being fought out, the Russians were carrying on their attack in the Donbas. They have made advances of up to six miles, and have taken over 30 tons and villages, including a mining centre. Their advance has taken them 25 miles from Dorogobuzh. West and south-west of Kharkov Soviet forces were engaged in offensive battles. The Russian armies south of Briansk are continuing their offensive in the Sievsk area and have made advances of from four to six miles. The Russians have also taken a town 20 miles north-east of Sievsk and have broadened their offensive towards Briansk. On the south-west-ern front they' have taken many places. Although the evacuation of the Voroshilovgrad region is an indication of the strength of Russian efforts in the south. Berlin radio’s commentator. Captain Sertorius. declares that the Russians are mainly intent on clinching the assault against Briansk. “The enemy is making an immense effort to capture Briansk with pincers north and north-west of Sevsk and west of Zhizdra.’’ he says. The Stockholm correspondent of The Times says: “The Smolensk defence line now rests on three rivers, the Soj. the upper Dnieper and the Vop. The Russians have already crossed the upper Dnieper but still have to force the Vop, which is not a formidable barrier. Nevertheless, It is very premature to consider that Smolensk faces immediate capture, because there is no indication that the Russians intend a frontal assault. The Germans certainly have long-prepar-ed strong positions behind the present front. It now appears certain that they intend, if pressed, to retire to them for the winter near or along the Dnieper—but. not before the winter, because that, would enable the Russians to advance thpir bases and restore the railways before the ground is frost-bound.'' The London Times in a leader says: “Nobody, least, of all the Germany, expected the Red Army to be capable this summer of such gigantic exertions after all it has endured and all the economic handicaps under which Russia is fighting. The Germans arc trying to console and hearten themselves by asserting that. Russia is exhausting herself with her last effort. But many last efforts have been ascribed to the Russians.” Last night's Soviet communique announced: “The Russians concluded the liquidation of the enemy troops encircled at Taganrog. Troops of the 17th. 111th and 294th divisions and the 15th paratrooo division have been routed and over 35,000 Germans killed. The Russians on the southern front have advanced four to six miles and occupied over 30 inhabited places, including the mining centre of Krasnyluch. 52 miles east of Stalino. “In the Smolensk front the Russians have advanced five to eight miles and have occupied 200 inhabited localities, including Dogorobuj. The Red Army south of Briansk has advanced four to six miler-? and occupied over 60 inhabited localities, including the rail town of Komarich’, 60 miles southeast of Briansk. “The Red Army west and southwest of Kharkov has advanced in some sectors, occupying several inhabited localities” Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says that the Russians driving on the Smolensk and Sevsk fronts are encountering strong resistance. Fierce battles are being waged and the wake O* the retreating Germans is strewn with hundreds of corpses, smashed tanks and wrecked uns. Russian divebombers are operating in exceptional strength everywhere.