Zhukov Trying to Land Knockout Blow

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 55, 8 March 1944, Page 5

Zhukov Trying to Land Knockout Blow

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Received Wednesday, 12.59 a.m. LONDON, March 7. General Zhukov’s armies in three great thrusts to the Carpathians are juickly driving heyond the newlyjevered Odessa-JL.wow railway, reports -teuter’s Moscow correspondent. The Russians are smashing through the nastily reorganised German defence lines. Their central advance is south of the railway and the other Russian forces are fanning out on either side. The Russians are only seven miles from Tamopol, while the thrust of their eft flank is aimed at Proskurov. Although the Germans are retreating ;hey have not yet been routed and are constantly attempting to make stands on new lines. But von Mannstein now faces disastrous possibilities at every turn. If the Russians continue their present rate of advance von Mannstein will be faced with the choice, firstly, oi making a stand on the Upper Dnieper with the likelihood of being thrown back against the Carpathians; secondly, attempting to retreat westward into Southern Poland despite the cutting oi the only direct railway. This would involve the virtual abandonment of the armies in the Dnieper Bend. The German Overseas News Agency says the Germans faced with strong enemy pressure in the Shepetovka sector have withdrawn to lines about six miles away. The Agency quotes a German military spokesman as stating that the battle in the Shepetovka area is taking a dramatic development. General Zhukov in the view of informed German circles is trying to deal a final blow against the Wehrmacht. Izvestia reports that debris from the retreating German army litters the roads. Guns and mortars are piled up everywhere.