HOW DNIEPER WAS CROSSED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 13, 11 October 1943, Page 5

HOW DNIEPER WAS CROSSED

Murderous Fire Braved LONDON, October 8.

The Russians crossed the Dnieper at night time in huge convoys of boats and rafts under a hail of shellfire that turned the darkness into day, says a front-line correspondent of the Russian news agency. “The Germans noticed nothing till the first rafts were half-way across the river, then every German weapon went into action. Russian artillery replied, intensifying with every minute. “Pierce battles broke out when the first Russian units reached the western bank, but they managed to dig in and launch attacks which breached the first enemy lines. Fresh reinforcements kept pouring across the river and the Russian forces on the western bank increased steadily in spite of strenuous German attempts to throw them back. “Pontoon bridges were soon established and heavy material began crossing. A battle of unprecedented fury flared up as the Germans threw in reinforcements, supported by planes, and multiplied their counter-attacks. Large German infantry and tank forces vainly attempted to deal flanking blows, but the Russians succeeded in establishing a large operational base for further developments.” Another correspondent says that when the order to advance across the river came, the Russians could not be restrained and plunged into the icy waters of the river instantly. Troops clung to capes stuffed with straw and empty oil barrels and grabbed logs for assistance. In addition to the dangerously revealing light from the moon, the Germans flooded the oncoming Russians with powerful searchlights and laid down a murderous barrage, but the fanatical Russians landed by thousands. Even after daylight swimmers and great rafts loaded with guns, horses and food came streaming across the water, which the German shells whipped up. Historic Daring.

The speed of the Russian thrusts surprised the Germans. Dozens. of demolitiow squads were captured while* engaged in creating a dead area behind the river. The crossing of the Dnieper at the three widely-separated points was one of the most daring operations in military history, says Reuter’s correspondent iu Moscow. A “Red Star” correspondent reports that guerrillas a day before the Red Army reached the sector south of PercyaSlav, emerged from the forests and captured a village behind the Germans on the west bank. They also dealt a powerful surprise blow against the German rear and prevented the Germans on the east bank from crossing the river. The Germans, hemmed in by guerrillas and the Red Army, surrendered. The guerrillas also seized boats in which the Germans on the east bank hoped to retreat. Part of the guerrilla forces operating on the west bank also later reconnoitred and discovered the most suitable point for the Red Army to make the landing, which enabled the regulars to begin forcing the river immediately after wiping out the enemy on the east bank. It is revealed how the Russians took Nevel so quickly. The roads and railways were all held by the enemy, and Soviet troops accomplished a task that was considered impossible. They built roads through the forest and had to get troons up without attracting (he attention of the enemy. When they attacked, the Germans were taken completely by surprise and suffered heavy losses before abandoning the town.