TOWARD LATVIA SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 3, 5 January 1944, Page 5

TOWARD LATVIA SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENTS

Recd. 6 p.m. London, Jan. 3. The Times Moscow correspondent draws attention to the movements around Neval, saying: “While the grandiose campaign is unfolding in the Ukraine, significant developments are under way on the northern borders ot Byelo-Russia. Units of the First Baltic Army west and north-west of Neval are gradually advancing along the main road, which sheers across the railway from Velikiye Luki to the Latvian border, and are also advancing along a no less important road across the lake country towards western ByzJ-Russia.’’ The German news agency’s military commentator says the Russian offensive, using far superior tank and infantry forces, continues with its main pressure west of Kiev. There is heavy fighting, in which both sides have suffered heavy casualties. Berlin radio admitted that the Russians had made a considerable breach west of Rogachev and Gomel, but claimed that the breach is sealed off. To-night’s Soviet communique says that north of Neval the Russians fought their way forward and occupied 70 inhabited localities. On the first Ukrainian front they developed an offensive and stormed and captured Novograd and Volynsk and over 170 inhabited localities, including several district centres in the Zhitomir region. APPROACH_OF WAR OUTLOOK FOR HUNGARY Recd. 6 p.m. London, Jan. 3. Fighting is approaching Hungary s frontiers and may overrun them, stated the Chief of the Hungarian General Staff, General Szoibathely, in a message broadcast by the Hungarian radio. He added: “We must be prepared for the prospect that our country will oe exposed to attack on land and from the air.’’