RUSSIAN FRONTS

Grey River Argus, 11 May 1943, Page 5

RUSSIAN FRONTS

NEW AREA STORMED

At Velikiye Luki

GERMAN SECTOR TAKEN IN RUSSIAN BREAKTHROUGH.

LONDON, May 9

The Russians have made a sensational breakthrough south-west of Velikiye Ltiki. This action, for the moment at any rate, has diverted attention from the noticeably increasing momentum of the battle in the Kuban. “The Times’s’’ Moscow correspondent describes the action southwest of Velikiye Luki as the capture practically intact of a valuable German sector. The Moscow radio says that the Russians stormed a way through deep fortifications which were built up Qver six months. The Russians, sweeping,* on, captured many prisoners, much booty, dug-outs, pill-box-es and trenches covering every hollow an H height. The manoeuvre was so rapid it surprised the Germans, who left the entire defensive system without putting up a. fight. The Red Army is still attacking. The Berlin radio stated that fighting is flaring up along the whole front, following improved weather and ’consequent hardening of the ground. The Russians are trying to improve their positions in the Kuban, Donetz River, Moscow and Volkhov sectors.

Heavy Barrage

RUSSIAN ARTILLERY IN KUBAN BATTLE. LONDON, May 9.

“Th e Times’s” Moscow correspondent, describing th e Kuban battle, savs: Russian guns were active for 48 hours, breaking down the strongly fortified German defences north-east of Novorossisk; which the Russians reached yesterday German counterattacks were strenuous and frequent, but the Red Armv infantry is steadily progressing under powerful artillery and air support, the latter being on the biggest scale of the Russian war. Alf Russian accounts of the Kuban fighting stress the German determination to hold on to the bridgehead at all costs. The Germans are bringing up reserves to many bases, while the crowded airfields suggest an early attack. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent reports that the Germans are massing large fresh forces at various points along the Russian front. Axis sources confirm the Russian view that the Germans are preparing for an all-out offensive. Paris radio declared; “Day alter day, trains packed with new weapons, materials, and vehicles are rolling towards Russia. They represent an uninterrupted line of over 625 miles.” The Associated Press Moscow correspondent states: The Air war d'-’® 1 ’ the Kuban reached the highest pitch. The Russian Air Force have destroyed over 500 planes in the past days, many on German held airfields behind the front. German and Roumanian reserves, being hurried to the front, are receiving a merciless pounding from Stormoviks and bombers. Fighter planes are mowing down the German infantry in sudden swoops.”

Further Successes KUBAN CAMPAIGN DEVELOPS. (Rec 115) LONDON, May 10. _ The Kuban campaign and the air war against German communications has developed according to plan, says the Associated Press Moscowcorrespondent. The Red a Kuban penetrated the outer fortifications of Novorossisk, and enemy defences are reported to be crumbling. T'he Russians’ latest air raids in .a large-scale war against German communicajlions behind the Ukrainian and Central Kalinin fronts are de■signed to delay any big German push, and have brought fresh destruction to more than nineteen railway stations. It is the most formidable attack of this type the Russians ever made, and is aimed at crippling German efforts over a large .area. , . Reuter’s Moscow correspondent 'says the Russians are fighting their way forward against heavy opposition, and are nearer to Tenruik, a small town on the north bank of the Kuban River, about 30 miles from the Kerch Straits. The Germans are using tanks in large numbers in a counter-attacking bid to stem Russian progress, but they are failing. Moscow radio reports that Russian guardsmen, using bayonets and rifle butts at dawn attacked and burst through German defence positions north-east of Novorossisk and reached the too. of a fortified ridge, and captured German machine-guns were turned against the retreating enemy.

GERMAN OFFENSIVE EXPECTED (Rec. 7.30.) LONDON, May 10. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Moscow correspondent says:— “It is expected in Moscow that the Germans within the next few. days will launch a full-scale offensive on the Moscow front. RED AIR FORCE BOMBS RAILWAYS. (Rec. 10.50.) LONDON, May 10. A special communique issued in Moscow says: The Red Air Force On Saturday bombed railway stations at Brianks, Poltava, Firovgrad, Byelgorod, Dorogobuj, Uspenskaya, and other towns, also trains and many locomotives. Trains and trucks loaded with munitions and supplies were smashed and station buildings demolished.

x Sea Battle RUSSIAN MOVE IN NORTH. (Rec. 7.30.) LONDON, May 9. The Berlin radio reports that Russian warships and submarines made a night attempt to penetrate the sea channel from Leningrad to _ Kronstadt for the purpose of invading the Eastern Baltic. The radio savs that the Russians, when spotted, put up a smokescreen and attempted to dazzle the. German searchlight crews. Russian artillery from Kronstadt. Leningrad, and the Karelian Coast, also .Russian planes, participated in the battle. German guns sank two ships, damaged two, and dispersed the Russians after an artillery battle lasting three hours. The Berlin radio also reports that the Russians attempted to carry out a large scale landing behind the Germans in the Sea of Azov. It claims that twenty-one Russian ferry-boats were sunk and sixteen others heavily damaged. Poles in Russia ■ FORMATION OF DIVISION WELCOMED. LONDON, May 9. The formation of the Kosciusko

Division has long been the urgent demand of Wanda Wasilevska, the Polish author and one of the severest critics of policy of certain members of the Polish Government in London. Wasilevska, speaking at the AllSlav Conference, according to the Moscow radio, said: “The Polish divisions now being formed in Russia will fight a way back to Poland under the colours of Poland.” The Commander of the Kosciusko Division also spoke. He said that the Poles in Russia and the whole of the Polish people understand the path ot liberty will not be cut by standing at ease but by military deeds. The path to our native land leads through the battlefield along with Russia. We Poles are taking that path.” The All-Slav Conference sent a message to Mr Churchill: “The brave British fighting victoriously in North Africa, and the gallant British airmen dealing devastating blows against the German industry are together with the armed forces of the Allies preparing for the coming hour of victory over the most cruel and most brutal enemy of humanity— Nazi Germany. The Slavs are certain that with powerful joint blows from west, east, north and south, the German and Fascist murderers and bandits will suffer- a devastating defeat. Humanity will then be able to engage in creative work.