FALL OF CHERKASY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1943, Page 3

FALL OF CHERKASY

ANOTHER DNIEPER CROSSING WON BY RUSSIANS Successful Assault on Powerful Enemy Stronghold MORE GERMAN ATTACKS REPELLED WEST OF KIEV LOCAL GAINS BY SOVIET FORCES IN NEVEL SECTOR LONDON, December 14. The Red Army in the Ukraine has captured the important Dnieper stronghold of Cherkasy, 100 miles below Kiev. This •oiyes the Russians another main crossing over the river and Wans that the Germans now face the threat of another drive on their flank. , Cherkasy was taken after a stiff fight. In an older of the day, Marshal Stalin praises the Soviet airmen as well as the ground troops taking part in the battle. The Moscow radio says the Germans had built four rings of fortifications round the town and the straight streets of the city enabled the enemy to make full use of tanks and artillery. A powerful barrage by Russian guns and mortals opened the way, however, for a decisive infantry assault. The Berlin radio earlier had alleged that the German forces had evacuated Cherkasy. ' West of Kiev the Russians are still holding the enemy attacks. There are signs that the snow is hardening in White Russia, where the Germans report a local penetration by Russian tanks in the Nevel sector. • For the second day in succession, another message states, the Red Army has gained ground in the battle of the Kiev bulge, and the correspondents’ reports from Moscow show growing optimism. The battle is believed to have reached its most crucial stage, with the balance at present in the Russians’ favour. , „ . . The latest Soviet communique states that the Red Army south of Malin continued yesterday to fight engagements against tanks and infantry and improved their positions. Messages state that the Russians were on the attack all day except on one sector, where a number of German attacks were held, after which the Russians went forward and drove the enemy beyond his starting point. The Germans have not been able to put the same tremend- x ous weight of armour into their latest blows but battles are still hard and there is no suggestion yet that the enemy is admitting the defeat of an effort of such magnitude.. A Moscow communique states that, west of Kremenchug, Soviet forces have captured several places. In the Kiev bulge, the Russians have abandoned one place to the Germans.