Evening star., 1943-11-06
Fate Of Nuzis in
Russia Unsettled
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot.


The situation in. South Russia is one
which seems to call for the introduction
of some new element--probably by the
Russians, since they dispose of the great
er reserves.
So far, the German Army appears to
have escaped disaster To call what has
so far happened to them by that name
is inaccurate, or at least hasty. They
have lost territory, they have in partic-
ular lost contact between their main
forces and those in the Crimea; but
their counter-action before Krivoi Rog
has kept open their lines of communica-
tions and the Russians have not been
able to expand their Dnieper bridgehead
westward to Znamenka.
1t is possible that considerable num-
bers OF German troops may have been
cut off in the Nogaisk area by the swift
Russian advance to the Isthmus of
Perekop. AS to this there is no certainty
yet. But it would appear that the bulk
of the defenders of Melitopol must have
retired southwark into the Crimea.
However, though disaster has not vet
come to the Germans, they have not yet
escaped it by any means. 1t may come
upon them in the Crimea, where the
strength of the German forces is un-
known, as well as the capacity of the
German depots. 1t is more likely to
come upon them in the immediate fu-
ture, as a result of new Russian Of
fenslVe. In this connection, the course
of the Dnieper from Kiev to Kremen-
chug is well worth watching.
North Of Kiev, the Russians have in
creased the size of their bridgehead,
Southeast of Kiev, the Russian bridge
head opposite Pereyeslav still exists, Ad-
oltlonaI Russian forces at these two
Spots might bring about the fall Of the
UKralnlan capital, and if this could be
exploited BY a great Russian offensive
swinging southwark from Kiey. follow
ing the Well-knoWn Russian strategic
pattern OF successive attacks in mutual
support of each other, the whole of the
German forces east of the Kiev-Odeeea
Hhe would be endangered There is
some doubt as TO whether even the mir
acIeS OF supply so far performed by the
Russians would enable them to under
take SO extensive an operation beyond
the Dnleper at this time If they could
the results might be of decisive charac-
ter.
But there are less extensive moves
open to the Russian high command
winch may prove to be we'll within
thelr present capacities. For eyample.
A new crossing Of the Dnieper in the
vicinity Of Cherkassy, with its objective
the rail junction of Smela. would
threaten the main German supply line
Tor the present area of active operations.
II this were to be combined with q new
attack flom the west flank of the pres
ent kremenchug brldeehead, il might
produce very considerable results.
A crossing Of the lower Dnieper would
threaten both Nikolaev and Kherson
and would probably bring about the re-
capture Of krivoi Rog. but it would not,
IN all probability, entrap any consider
able German force unless it were COM
Dlned with at least the latter of the
aboVe-mentioned operations. Other
wise. the Germans could retire through
krovo, and overland from NlkoIaev.
There is little use in these examples
OF what may be possible. save to empha-
size by this means that the present
situation cannot be greatly developed
without some new move. and to point
out that the whole history of Russian
offensive operations in this war very
strongly suggests that such a new move
may be in the making. NAV even now
be IN proereSs-alWays providing the
Russians have the necessary means.
The German problem is Just the same
as It ever Was-to eXtricate their army
without suffering undue loss, The Rus
sian objective is also the sane-not
the recovery of territory. but the de-
structiOn Of At least a substantial slice
Of the Wehrmacht.
As for the Germans in the Crinca
they must now put their trust in sea
communications with Odessa. Bv that
means only can they be withdrawn, re-
mforced or supplied That they are not
to be left to their own devices is indi-
Gated by the reports Of Russian attacks
on the Kerch Peninsula. There can be
no doubt that the Russian Black Sra
fleet Will do its best not only to support
these amphibious attacks. but to inter-
fere with German coastal traffic bv sea
on the Odessa -Eupatoria route. Doubt
n a 80
GENTLY anticipated by the German staff,
so that the Crimea has well-stocked
military depots, but they cannot last
forever. The Crimea may be written off
AS definitely lost to the Germans. Its
restoration to Russian control is now
only question Of time and perhaps
OF little more hard fighting.
(Copyright, 1913 N. Y. Tribune Inc)