SMASHING OFFENSIVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 209, 4 September 1943, Page 5

SMASHING OFFENSIVE

RUSSIAN ARMIES PUSH ON MANY IMPORTANT GAINS MADE (By Telegraph -Press Association —Copyright) Recd. 8 p.m. London, Sept. 3, There was more great news from Russia to-night. A special Order of the Day by Marshal Stalin announced the capture of sumy, north-west of Kharkov. Later, the ordinary Moscow communique gave these new successes:—The whole of the Kursk region has been freed from the German invader; in the Donetz Basin the Russians have occupied the towns of Lisichansk and Voroshilovsk; on the Sea of Azov the Red Army has reached a point only 25 miles east of Mariupol; on the Smolensk front more than 100 places have been liberated. The Red Army, in fact, won a series of new and important victories all along the southern half of the battlefront. On the Smolensk, Briansk, and Kharkov fronts, and in the Donetz Basin, it stormed ahead, capturing many important cities and threatening the retreating Germans with ever graver defeats. The great enemy centres of Smolensk and Stalino are facing mass Russian drives, and Kiev, capital of the Ukraine, is being ’ rapidly approached by the victorious Red Army troops.

The first news of these sweeping Russian victories was given last evening in a new Order of the Day by Marshal Stalin which announced the capture of the big German base and railway centre of Sumy, about 100 miles northwest of Kharkov.

The news of this success, which was celebrated in Moscow last night by another salute from the guns of the Russian capital, was followed an hour later by the announcement in a Soviet communique of still further Red Army victories. The communique said that the Russian capture of Sumy was only the most southerly part of a general advance on a wide front stretching north-westwards in a great arc of more than 80 miles. All along this arc, just curving in from the vital supply railway running from Kursk through Konotop to Kiev, the Russians made very rapid progress yesterday.

At the top of the arc tlwy captured a town 25 miles nortn-east of Konotop, cutting the railway from Konotop to Briansk. This is the farthest point westwards so far reached by the Russians along the whole ba'ttlefront. In the centre of the arc Red Army troops pushed forward, capturing numerous towns and a long stretch of the railway, and drove the last German from the province of Kursk. The big rail town of Konotop is now threatened from three sides. The Russian successes in their drive on Konotop and Kiev are matched by their victories on the Smolensk front, to the north, and in the Donetz Basin to the south. The Soviet forces are making two parallel drives on Smolensk, the most important enemy base in the whole of Russia. One Russian army is driving down the railway from Yelnya. 40 miles from Smolensk. About 20 miles to the north, a second Russian army is fighting its way down the main road from Moscow to Smolensk, the road along which Napoleon’s army retreated.

The Russians, on this road, were earlier reported to be 50 miles from Smolensk and carrying out a great converging movement on the city in conjunction with the Soviet, troops moving forward below them. The Moscow communique announced further advances of three to six miles, and th? capture of over 100 towns and villages. The Germans are still putting up a very stiff resistance on the Smolensk front, but their defences in the Donetz Basin appear to be crumbling, and the Russians made remarkable progress there yesterday.

On the Sea of Azov, our allies have occupied a town 25 miles from Mariupol. This advance along the sea coast has undermined the entire German defences in the eastern Donctz Easin which now form a huge bulge into the Russian lines. Yesterday our allies struck a powerful blow on the top of this bulge, breaking across the Donetz River on a wide front, and advanced many miles into the heart of the basin, capturing many towns, including the important centres of Lisichansk and Voroshilovsk. The German defences collapsed before this sudden stroke and the Russians finished the day 20 mile-: nearer Stalino, Ihe chief town of 'this rich industrial area. Stalino is now threatened from the north-east, from the east, and from the south-east. Several of the towns captured by the Russians, including Lisichansk, Voroshilovsk, and Sumy, were taken by our allies in February this year during the winter offensive, but were lost in the German counteroffensive of March. Other places which have fallen into Russian hands have had their first sight of Soviet troops for over two years. For example, the Russians are now further beyond Kharkov than they have ever been since the Germans first advanced into the Ukraine, while on the Sea of Azov, their latest push brings them to a point which they hav.e never held since 1941.

FOUR BIG DRIVES POWER NOW REVEALED GREAT IJST OF SUCCESSES Recd. 6.30 p.m. London, Sept. 2. The Russian High Command has reveal cd the real strength of its four main offensives by issuing the greatest list of successes ever announced from Moscow. The vital points of Sumy, Lisichansk, Voroshilovsk, and Krolevets have fallen, and the Red Army in the north has pushed the most Important offensive against Smolensk forward another four to six miles. The capture of Krolevets has brought the Russians to their most westerly point. Twenty-five miles north of Konotop, it is situated 28 miles west of Glukhov, representing a Russian advance of 28 miles in two days. Reuter’s military writer said that an interesting situation is developing on the Sumy front which may involve the encirclement of strong enemy forces unless they retire in good time. The Germans are making a desperate effort to avoid the Russian pincers, and arc showing a tendency to fall back as soon as they are threatened by outflanking movements. The capture of Lisichansk is the principal Russian Donetz Basin victory. Lisichansk is the most important communications centre of the Donetz River and Kharkov-Stalino railway. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent tonight reports stiff fighting south-east of Stalino, where the Russians have massed new forces at their spearhead. The Germans along the now ragged line west and south of Stalino are trying to remove their heavy equipment. “SUMY DIVISIONS” Reed. 6.30 p.m. Rugby, Sept. 2. The order of the day issued by Marshal Stalin says that in fighting for the liberation of Sumy troops commanded by Lieutenant-General Chibisov distinguished themselves. The order then named the cogp manders and units which had parti larly distinguished themselves awe. tc mark the victory, renamed the divisions concerned “Sumy Divisions. ’ The order concluded: “For distinguished military service and skill i e:.pres‘; my gratitude to all the trcoTK who liberated Sumy. Death to German invader!” Moscow’s victory salvos were again heard in London to-night by radio listeners. Pealing church bells could be heard as well and also the cheers of the population. - -8.0.W. SPANIARDS TO GO HOME Recd. 6.20 p.m. London, Sept. 2. The diplomatic correspondent of the Evening Standard stated that the Spanish Premier. General Franco, had agreed to withdraw the Spanish Blue Division from Russia. This assurance was given verbally after the recent meeting between Sir Samuel Hoare and General Franco. Sir Samuel Hoare also asked tnat the Spanish Falange should be disbanded, but this request has not yet been answered.