DRIVING ON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 March 1943, Page 3

DRIVING ON

RUSSIANS GAIN MORE GROUND / On Approaches to Smolensk DONETZ CROSSINGS STILL FIRMLY HELD GERMAN ATTACKING FORCE SMASHED AND THROWN BACK LONDON, March 24. Russian troops have gained more ground on the central front. One Red Army column is reported to be little more than 30 miles north-east of Smolensk. It has smashed its way • through the enemy defence line, and captured 80 settlements in the last two days. The Russians are still pressing on, despite fierce German counter-attacks. For the Russians it is a case of hard pegging against very strong defences and across difficult country. Smolensk itself is not yet in immediate danger. Mr Paul Winterton points out that the Germans cannot afford to ignore this thrust from the north. There is also great Russian pressure from the east. The Red Army is pushing on from Viazma and across the upper reaches of the Dnieper. On the southern front the main fighting is centred on the Bielgorod area. The Russians are keeping their grip on the Donetz. Although the enemy succeeded in getting across the river at one point the Russians smashed the German forces and drove them back again.