SOVIET ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 October 1943, Page 4

SOVIET ATTACK

ON THE INNER DEFENCES OF KIEV GERMANS IN INCREASING PERIL WITHIN THE DNIEPER BEND (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, Noon.) LONDON. October 12. Front line reports say the Germans have failed to check tne Russian drive on Kiev, where infantry from Eastern Russia and Siberia are advancing under very difficult conditions, often wading through deep black mud. German demolition squads are believed to have begun destroying the city, over which hangs a great pall of smoke. One report states the Russian divisions which crossed the Dnieper north of Kiev have now broken through to The city’s inner defences. Reports from all points along the Dnieper line indicate that the battle for the western bank has reached a climax, says the British United Press. German resistance is at its height, but General von Manstein is unable to withstand the Russian pressure or to prevent the flow of reinforcements and supplies which is pouring uninterruptedly across the Dnieper at scores of places. The Russians are making a tremendous efioi t to overwhelm the German resistance and break the line at many points, preparing the way for the next surge westward. One Russian thrust is directed against the Dnieper bend from the rear. This threat is developing from a force which crossed the river at Kremenchug and now menaces the whole German position inside the bend, along the Dnepro-petrovsk-Zaporozhe line. If the Russians break through, the Germans will be faced with headlong retreat or another Stalingrad. That is why the Germans are throwing in large reserves, but they have not achieved lasting success. RUMANIAN TROOPS ABANDONING DEFENCES ON BUG & DNIESTER UNCOVERING APPROACHES TO BALKANS (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 12. Tonight’s Russian communique says the Russians in the middle Dnieper area have continued battles for the widening of bridgeheads on the right bank of the river and that substantial successes have been achieved in separate sectors. The Russians have continued their offensive in the Vitebsk sector. The Budapest correspondent of the Stockholm newspaper “Svenska Dagbladet” says Hitler's Rumanian allies. 100 miles ahead of the Russian armies, are abandoning the next great river defence line and uncovering the approaches to the Balkans. “The Rumanians,” it says, “are evacuating the trans-Dniestria stretch of land between the Bug and the Dniester, which they have occupied since 1941. The families of the occupation troops and also civil servants have been ordered to return to Rumania and many have already arrived. Measures are being taken to carry off all cattle and grain.” The British United Press aeronautical writer, commenting on the “Red Star’s” report that the Germans had abandoned mass daylight raids behind the Russian lines, indicating “a tactical crisis,” says the Germans are running short of medium bombers. If the Germans are forced to resort to night bombing, for which they are illequipped, .the Russian Air Force has won a tremendous victory.