OF THE RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 March 1943, Page 3

OF THE RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE

Bearing on Nazi Bastion Covering Smolensk ENEMY HELD IN DONETZ BASIN GREAT TANK AND INFANTRY BATTLE OUTSIDE KHARKOV LONDON, March 10. The full weight of the Russian offensive is still being , .brought to bear against the German bastion covering Smolensk. North of this area the Russian troops are increasing their threat to Staraya Russa, south of Lake Ilmen, the hinge between tile central and the northern fronts. There is hard fighting along the river banks and swamps which form this front, with the Red Army everywhere holding the initiative. Further south there are no new developments. It is indicated that the Russians are consolidating their positions threatening the German salient from Briansk to Orel. Russian forces are now reported to be within 15 or 20 miles of Viazma on three sides—the north, south and east. The main highway from Gzhatsk is jammed with retreating Germans and another German force is streaming in from the south-east. The Germans admit that on the other side of Viazma they have given up a town. Russian troops are pressing forward towards the vital road and railway linking Viazma with Smolensk. Further south, on the muddy plains outside Kharkov, a great tank and infantry battle is still raging. Moscow messages say it may decide the fate of the whole of the southern front. Attacking with 200,000 men on a narrow front, the Germans are making an effort to retake Kharkov and appear to be prepared to pay the price. This attack has not yet been broken, but the Russian position is more favourable than it was a few days ago. The critical position in this sector is attributed to an early , and unexpected thaw which hampered and delayed the Russian main forces advancing to support motorised units which had struck swiftly and deeply into the enemy defences.