MAY BE IMMINENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 May 1943, Page 4

MAY BE IMMINENT

SOVIET OFFENSIVE AGA'NST DONBAS ARFA SIGNIFICANT ACTION ON DONETZ. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 16. The establishment and consolidation of a strong Russian bridgehead on the south bank of the Dcnetz, near Lisichansk, and re- * ports of a Russian crossing of the Donetz east cf Liman, suggest the possibility of an imminent Red Army offensive against the Donbas industrial region. “The Times” Moscow correspondent says that before the Russian attack near Lisichansk, the Germans occupied all commanding heights on the south bank of the Donetz, and were able to build up powerful defences. The Russians, after crossing the river, seized a village cn a hill slope. A brisk battle followed a German attempt to restore the positions, the Russians knocking out many tanks with artillery. There are indications that the Germans are gathering strength for another big counterattack, but the Russian Air Force is actively forestalling the preparations. A large force of Germans which crossed to the north bank of the Donetz south of Liman, in an attempt to divert the Russians from Lisichansk, suffered a costly defeat, reports the British United Press Moscow correspondent. The first German group from this force landed by boat, but was dispersed and routed. The Russian artillery caught a second group in mid-stream and sank twelve boats. More than 200 Germans were killed or drowned. Another correspondent reports that a strange kind of warfare is going on in the Kuban area. Battles are being fought from small ships in the river channels and also among the tall reeds on the river banks. The Russians recently seized and continue to hold the principal river highway through the region. North-east of Novorossisk fighting has split up into several battles between small groups attempting to capture hill tops. Reuter’s Moscow representative says powerful Russian air sweeps against troops, aerodromes and rail junctions continue with growing momentum. “Spring offensive” centres such as Briansk, Gomel and Orel in the past two days have received the attention of Russian long-range guns, which wrecked dozens of loaded trains and caused large fires and explosions.