ADVANCE INTO POLAND

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22246, 15 January 1944, Page 5

ADVANCE INTO POLAND

BATTLES FOR VINNITSA FIERCE GERMAN RESISTANCE LONDON, Jan. 14 Reuter’s correspondent m Moscow says the Germans are retreating in disorder west of Sarny, with the Russians pressing on toward Kowel. The Moscow radio asserts that Soviet forces have driven even further to the west and have already reached the frontier established under the Russo-German division of Pqland in 1939. (It was from this line that the Russians retreated when attacked by the Germans in 1941.) The Moscow radio says that Soviet forces have reached the Polish river Bug, which in this region forms part of the 1939-41 Russo-German line. On the lower side of the Ukraine bulge east of Vinnitsa battles are being fought on a large 3cale. The Germans have concentrated their biggest counter-blow here since General Vatutin’s offensive began two weeks ago. At stake are the German defence line on the Russian river Bug and, a few miles beyond, the all-important trunk railway from Poland to the Dnieper bend. The most advanced Russian forces were last reported to be about 20 miles from the railway. The Germans yesterday struck repeatedly at the flank of the Russian salient and the fighting was extremely fierce. Positions changed h-uds several limes, but the Germans failed to creak through.