IMPORTANT GAINS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 February 1943, Page 3

IMPORTANT GAINS

MADE BV RED ARMIES WAY OPENED TO FURTHER DRIVES. CLEARANCE OF BAKU-ROSTOV PIPE-LINE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 15. The capture of Rostov is of great importance in setting the seal of success on the Russian reconquest in the Caucasus, but this is clearly outweighed in military importance by the southward drive west of Stalino and the south-westward advance toward the Dnieper. A big capture of prisoners is hoped for as these operations develop across the path of the German retreat from the Donetz and Rostov, but it is unlikely that a great number of men has been cut off at Rostov or Voroshilovgrad. The clearing of the Baku-Rostov oil pipeline is regarded as of the first importance Even if the pipeline has been destroyed, its repair is not expected to take long, and oil will once more flow direct from the oilfields to central Russia and the main fronts. The railway north from Rostov appears to be cleared by the recovery of Shakhti, Sulin, Zverevo/and Likhaya. Only the northern section of the pipeline, that> from Rostov to Gorlovka, in the centre of the Donetz Basin industrial region, remains in enemy hands but the German grip in this area is rapidly relaxing under pressure from many sides. VAIN ENEMY BOAST. With the recapture of Rostov, the great Don River has been freed from Axis forces along its entire length. ..When the Russians entered Rostov they found German posters telling the population, “We will not leave Rostov.” A Cossack attack from the south-east decided the fate of the city. The Cossacks crossed the mouth of the Don from Azov and atacked from the southwest, taking prisoners hundreds of the enemy. The German command brought up fresh reserves, but failed' to stop the Russians. “Pravda” says that the ferocity of the battle increased when Hitler ordered powerful equipped reserves and tank forces to die rather than retreat from Rostov. Hundreds of German corpses litter the streets, yards, and alleys in the city. Many buildings and houses were destroyed, and some are still burning.