POWERFUL ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 November 1943, Page 3

POWERFUL ATTACK

THREAT TO GERMAN SALIENT AT GOMEL HEAVY ENEMY LOSSES OF MEN & MATERIAL IN UKRAINE & OTHER AREAS (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, November 12. There has been no definite Russian advance south-west of Kiev and it is clear that the Germans are resisting very strongly in this direction. Last night’s Moscow communique reveals a new development about 100 miles north of Kiev where a powerful attack has been launched by the Russians to extend their bridgehead at Ryechitsa, on the west bank of the Dnieper. This indicates a determined attempt to eliminate ,the German salient at Gomel, the only town of any size held by the enemy east of the Dnieper. A Soviet supplementary communique detailing the progress of troops of the First Ukrainian Army, says that in one sector of the front, Russian tanks broke through the enemy, occupied a village and routed the headquarters of a German tank division, capturing the staff, documents and, other booty. On another sector, Red Army units destroyed 42 enemy tanks and killed about 800 Germans. The communique adds that in fighting south of Ryechitsa, on the west bank of the Dnieper, the enemy is suffering heavy losses of men and material, and also west and north-west of Nevel, where 12 enemy counter-attacks have been repelled. In the Crimea the Russians also improved their positions outside Kerch, capturing several strongpoints northeast of the city.