Late War News LONG STRUGGLE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 20, 19 October 1943, Page 6

Late War News LONG STRUGGLE

Crossing Of Dnieper Near Gomel DEFENCE RESERVES (Received October 19. 12.50 a.m.l LONDON, October 18. '•The “Pravda’’ reveals that the Russians struggled for a fortnight before forcing the crossing of the Dnieper south of Gomel, which was reported in last night's communique. The Germans threw in divisions from France, Poland and Denmark in an attempt to seal off the first Russian penetration. Both sides nut up withering nrtilliy barrages. Finally, the Russians broke through on a wide front, and infantry and tanks stormed through the breach under strong air cover. The great, battle for Kiev continues unabated. According to Vichy radio both sides are throwing in powerful reinforcements, and attacks and counter-attacks alternate ceaselessly. , The “Pravda” indicates the Russians view that the battle will soon turn in their favour in an article stating. the hour is coming near when Kiev will again be ours.” Shattering Defeat. The Moscow correspondent of the “News Chronicle,” Paul Winterton, says that the Russian break-through south-west of Kramenchug is a shattering defeat for the Germans. With the Dnepropetrovsk garrison outflanked from west the time is approaching when the enemy will be rolled up from the whole eastern portion of the Dnieper bend.. The battle following, the break-through is developing extreme says that the Germans themselves helped to pave the way for the break-through by weakening themselves in. constant counter-attac y against the Russian spearheads while other Russian forces massed for he mam onslau"ht The Russians brought up large forces, and massed carefully camouflaged tanks. Then Soviet artillery for three hours carried out probably the greatest bombardment ever seen on such a small sector. When it lifted the Russians' threw into the battle everyth mg they had accumulated on this part of the’ front and smashed through the.defences Forces are now- pouring through the "an and keeping up the pressure with the aim of preventing the Germans ahead from regrouping ' The “Pravda reports that the Russians have captured the centre of the city of Melitopol. The Germans are heavily counter-attacking,, and the street battl.eS remain most ferocious. “The Germans here are, being literally ground to death,” the paper says. ‘Between piles of German bodies one finds soldiers who a short while ago fought on the shores of Kerch Strait. JW their skins in Taman only to die m Melitopol.” Ono officer said he had not previously scon so many deadl Germans.