ASSAULT ON KIEV

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 October 1943, Page 4

ASSAULT ON KIEV

TERRIFIC AIR BOMBARDMENT i OF DEFENDING GERMAN BATTERIES SOVIET FIGHTER-BOMBERS BUSY. SMASHING WAY FOR LAND FORCES. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, September 30. The Red Army’s intensified investment of Kiev at present is taking the form of a terrific air bombardment of the German batteries which General von Mannstein has placed on the rim of the cliffs on the west bank; of the Dnieper. The Russians, who have captured the middle Dnieper island of Trukhanov, 450 yards from the city, opposite the central part of Kiev, are the keenest spectators of dogfights over the German batteries. They know the Red Air Force is smashing a way for them into, the heart of the enemy’s west bank position, says the British United Press Moscow cor'respondent. Scores of squadrons oi Stormovik fighter-bombers are pounding the batteries and also machinegunning each battered German unit as it struggles across the Dnieper to the west bank, north and south of Kiev. Tonight’s Soviet communique states: “The Russians in the Mohilev direction continued to develop their successful offensive, advanced from seven to twelve miles, and after fording the River Soj, fought their way into the town and railway junction of Kricev, which was captured. The Russians also occupied over 170 inhabited places. In the Gomel direction the Russians advanced in some sectors six to seven miles and occupied over 60 places. The Russians in the Vitebsk direction, overcoming enemy resistance, continued their offensive and captured over 30 localities.