FRONTAL ASSAULT AGAINST RIGA

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22467, 30 September 1944, Page 5

FRONTAL ASSAULT AGAINST RIGA

TOWN IN EASTERN SERBIA CAPTURED

DRIVE AGAINST CZECHO-SLOVAKIA

(United Press Assn.—Elec. Tfcl. Copyright) (Received Sept. 30, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 29. The Russians are making a frontal assault against Riga along a semi-circle from the Gulf of Riga to the south-western approaches of the city, says the British United Press’ Moscow correspondent. , Cossack cavalry -and motorised forces penetrated the forests, thrusting against the rear of the enemy forces holding the city. The Russians penetrating the north-eastern suburbs of Riga are coming up against stiffer resistance, but tank spearheads forced wedges into the German defence line. Armour is being thrown in to breach the last barriers. The mopping-up of the last pockets of German resistance in north-western Estonia has released powerful forces for operations in other sectors of the Baltic front. The Russian drive against Czecho-Slovakia, which is making good headway, threatens the last German defences along the great stretch of the Polish-Czech border region. The drive to Czecho-Slovakia menaces the German forces in Hungary and those massed in sectors south of Cracow. It also brings the Russians nearer Silesia, which is one of the most important areas in this section of Germany. The Russian crossing of the Danube in strength resulted in the capture of Palanka, north of Negotin, which is the first town in eastern Serbia falling to the Russians. The German news agency claims that Palanka was recaptured by mountain troops. The agency also reports the first snow in Transylvania and German and Hungarian counter-attacks on a large scale. A Rumanian communique announces the capture of a town just inside the Hungarian frontier and one of the main routes to Rumania from the west.

Many Places Captured

Tonight’s Soviet' communique says the Russians in the Riga direction (ought for the improvement of their positions and occupied 30 places. South-east and south of Turku they made a fighting advance in difficult mountain and forest terrain and occupied 60 places, including three railway stations. The Russians south-west and west of Delatyn, in the Stanislawow ret'on, overcoming enemy defences and fortifications in mountainous wooded country, captured 40 places. In northern Transylvania, overcoming enemy resistance, fne Russians occupied the town of Targul Mures and fought their way into 50 other places, including six railway stations. The Russians forced the Mures river and established a bridgehead on the western bank.

The Moscow radio stated that Russians under the command of General Govorov during the offensive from September 17 to 26, in which all Estonia except Oesel and Dago Islands were liberated, killed 30,000 Germans and captured 15,745. They a'so destroyed or captured 35 planes, 38 tanks, 363 guns. 495 mortars and much other equipment.