BEGAN FROM CITY

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 98, 20 January 1943, Page 5

BEGAN FROM CITY

Leningrad Front Nutcracker

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 18. A special Soviet communique reporting on the break-through of the .Leningrad blockade says: "A few days ago the Russians situated south of ( 'Lake Ladoga started an offensive against the enemy who blockaded

Leningrad. Our troops had the task of destroying (lie one,my fortifications and smashing the blockade. ‘•The Germane had erected stronglyfortified zones, with many concrete, fortifications and a great number of anti-tank and anti-infantry obstacles. The Russians launched an offensive from two directions—from the western bank of the Neva against Shlusselbnrg and from west, of the area .south of Lake Ladoga. “Our troops broke the enemy defence zone about nine miles deem crossed the Neva, and in seven days of stubborn fighting occupied Schlusselburg. Our troops also occupied a. number of workers’ settlements and the railway station of Sinyavmo,6 .south of Shlusselburg. “After seven days of fierce fighting our troops on the Volkhov front and on. the Leningrad front joined on January 18 and smashed the blockade of Leningrad. ''ln the course of these operations four German infantry divisions, two infantry regiments, motorized detachments, and part of another German division have boon routed. According to incomplete figures. 12111. enemy officers and men were taken prisoner. 'l’he enemy left, on the battlefield 13,000 corpses.’’