GREAT BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 November 1943, Page 4

GREAT BATTLE

DEVELOPING IN DNIEPER BEND DIRE MENACE TO GERMAN ARMIES. | POSSIBILITY OF HEADLONG RETREAT. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, Noon.) LONDON, November 15. Russian sources are still silent regarding the progress of the battle within the Dnieper bend, where, according to the Germans, over 300,000 Russian troops are employed. The German High Command, however, has admitted that the Russians are making break through attempts, and also that a breach has ' been made above Krivoi Rog. The Germans did not claim that this

breach has been sealed up. The Berlin radio commentator, Captain Sertorius, stated that the Russians, advancing with superior forces, gained ground north of Krivoi Rog, and weie only halted by German counter-thrusts. He added that Russian pressure in this whole sector continues. The British United Press Moscow correspondent says the Germans are making their greatest effort in the Fastov region (north-west of Kiev), where enormous forces of tanks, infantry and cavalry are interlocked in battle. The Germans are striving to stem an advance threatening to break the backbone of their communications in the Ukraine. A break through in this area would bring the Russians almost 250 miles west of the Germans at Kremenchug, in the rear of the big battle at Krvioi Rog. This might enclose the Germans in the Dnieper trap or force a headlong retreat. The correspondent adds that notwithstanding the great battles in progress, the weather is holding un the Russians, who are fighting the last phases of the autumn campaign. The great winter offensive is almost ready ,and the Russians along the whole front are consolidating their positions and making final preparations. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says the Russians are now five miles from the railway between Gomel and Ryechitsa, and seven miles from Ryechitsa itself. The Paris radio declares that crack Russian forces are attacking in the Nevel and Gomel sectors, where the Germans at some points have been forced to modify their lines. HEAVY LOSSES SUFFERED BY GERMANS IN WHITE RUSSIA. VAIN ATTEMPT TO STEM ATTACK WEST OF GOMEL. LONDON, November 15. Strong forces were thrown in by the Germans on the White Russian front in a vain attempt to stem the Soviet attacks, which have cut the main road and railway west of Gomel. The Germans' were heavily defeated and lost 3000 men killed and 40 tanks destroyed. The Russians captured 23 enemy tanks in good condition, as well as 500 military lorries, and took many prisoners. RAPID DRIVE TOWARDS RUMANIA & POLAND. SOVIET ADVANCE BEYOND JITOMIR. (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, November 15. The Red Army, keeping up its rapid drive from Jitomir, is now fanning out northward, westward, westward and southward towards the Rumanian and Polish borders. Simultaneously, the Russians have opened a new battle in the Dnieper bend, which German sources say is on a great scale. Observers express the opinion that the twin offensives menace the German positions more seriously than ever before. The Russians, using vast forces, have also: launched major attacks in the Ryechitsa area, and along the Smol-ensk-Minsk Highway, effectively pinning down the German reserves .in these northern areas and preventing their transport southwards to buttress the strained German positions against the crushing weight of the Russian offensive. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says the bulge General Vatutin’s army holds is now 112 miles deep and over 50 miles wide. Formations on the right flank are steadily nearing the great railway junction of Korosten, on the northsouth railway, which may be of greater importance than Jitomir. One column is rapidly moving on Korosten, the fall of which is expected soon, along the high road from Kiev. The Russian cavalry, fanning out in the plains between the north and south railway and the Pripet Marshes, threatens to cut off Korosten- from the north. Forces pushing northward from Jitomir are making a third drive against Korosten.