GREAT SOVIET GAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 August 1943, Page 3

GREAT SOVIET GAIN

TAGANROG TAKEN IN FIERCE BATTLE IMPORTANT SOUTHERN PORT GERMANS ALLEGE PLANNED WITHDRAWAL. RUSSIANS MAKING PROGRESS ON OTHER FRONTS. LONDON, August 30. A Russian communique announces the capture of Taganrog, on the north coast of the Sea of Azov, as the outcome of a fierce battle. The Germans, as usual, allege that they macle a planned withdrawal from Taganrog. They had occupied this important town and port since October, 1941.

, In a special order of the day Marshal Stalin states that powerful German forces were routed by the Russians in their assault on Taganrog. The Russians have occupied more than 150 towns and villages in this area. Remnants of the German forces which have been surrounded are being wiped out. The outcome of the battle was finally decided by a daring manoeuvre by Russian cavalry and armoured forces, which broke through to the enemy rear.

The Germans, another message states, have obviously been forced to leave Taganrog by the Red Army pincers threats in the Donetz Basin. Moscow last night reported an advance in the Donetz Basin yesterday during which more than 2000 Germans were killed and many were taken prisoner, and great quantities of war material were captured. The only railway escape line from 'Taganrog—to the north-west—was reported to have been cut by the Russians many days ago. Behind Taganrog lies marshy country. Taganrog, one of the main ports of South Russia, had a peace time population of 200,000. News from other Russian fronts also speaks of offensive operations and advances. West and south-west of Kharkov, the Russians have pushed the enemy out of several more places and south of Bryansk they have advanced from three to twelve miles and taken more than 50 places. Tank fighting has become heavier. Yesterday, on 'all fronts, 150 German tanks were destroyed or knocked out.

VICTORY CELEBRATION * SALUTE GUNS IN MOSCOW. HEARD IN LONDON OVER RADIO. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) RUGBY, August 30. The firing of salute guns in Moscow, in celebration of the recaoture of Taganrog, was clearly heard in London tonight over the radio, Taganrog was evacuated by the Soviet troops on October 22, 1941. When the Russians recaptured Rostov, in December, 1941, they pushed forward towards Taganrog, but did not cccup.y the town. Later the Germans occupied Rostov a second time. They were driven out during the last Soviet winter offensive on February 14, 1943, and the Russians then advanced again towards Taganrog, but failed to reach it. Taganrog, after nearly two years of German occupation, was very strongly fortified, which increases the value of the Soviet victory. This advance, in conjunction with the Soviet offensive north-west of Voroshilovgrad and south of Kharkov endangers the entire German position in the Donetz basin and a further advance westwards, from Taganrog along the coast of the Sea of Azov, would endanger the German positions in the Crimea.