RUSSIAN ADVANCES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 234, 4 October 1943, Page 5

RUSSIAN ADVANCES

GERMANS MAY’MAKE STAND ON DNIEPER LINE

Recd. 8 p.m. London, Oct. 2. The latest Russian communique reports more Soviet advances into White Russia, in the direction of the four German bases protecting Minsk, the capital of the region. In the Mogilev area Soviet forces have pushed on and captured a place 20 miles beyond the point they reached on Thursday. Our allies occupied over 300 places in this area.

In the Gomel area the Red Army advanced from six to nine mfles and took more than 100 places. In the Vitebsk area they captured more than 20 places. Earlier news of the fighting came from a correspondent, who said that the Germans on the Dnieper were standing firm for the time being at least. It seems uncertain whether the Russians have crossed the Dnieper. Enemy reports speak of fighting on the west bank, for example, in the bend between Pereyaslavl and Kancv, 50 miles below Kiev.

Whether these are true or not, it is at any rate thought doubtful that strong bridgeheads have been obtained. Certainly Soviet accounts mention no crossing and it would be surprising if the victorious Russians were yet in position to resume their advance. Behind them are ravaged areas and ruined communications, and in front for nearly 400 miles is the wide river with Wgh opposite banks commanding the Russian side and surrounded in some places with marshes. Above Kiev, however, the Russians are still steadilv closing in towards the 170 miles’ stretch of the Dnieper between the confluence with the River Soj, below Gomel, to Orsha, where the Dnieper makes a right-angle bend. They have another 30 to. 40 miles to go into this sector and it is possible the Germans may try to dispute east of the Dnieper any further Russian approach to such important land and air bases as Orsha. Mohilev. Rogachev and Gome'. The position about Orsha is particularly vital for the Germans, as between there and Titebsk no river line favours their defence. Uncertainty also exists about the situation between Zaporozhe and the Sea of Azov, where the Germans report strong Russian pressure, especially round Melitopol. The Germans hold the east bank round Zaporozhe and this sector has not figured in Soviet communiques for some time, but a further offensive seems probable. It may be a sign of Soviet intentions that Dzankoi. a station on the main railway through Crimea to Melitopol, has several times been visited bv Russian bombers lately.