The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-09
Russians Penetrate

Continued from Page ) the offensive was taking the shape of a giant pincers from east anc west aimed perhaps at cutting Manchuria in two.
 Japan moved swiftly to rally pup pet forces in Manchuria. Radio Tokyo said the Manchukuoan pup pet government at 4 a. m. pro- claimed a defense decree for the entire nation against "the Soviet army's unlawful invasion"
 Jap Conference
 An extraordinary meeting of the Manchukuoan state council was called for 9 a. m.
 In Tokyo itself, senior members of Dai Nippon, Japan's powerful, totalitarian political party, held an emergency meeting to discuss coun- ter-measureS capable of meeting the sudden development in the war situation" radio Tokyo said.
 Anothr meeting was called fol 10 a. m. tomorrow to decide the party'S policy to be presented the government and to the high com mand, Tokyo said.
 Allied sources in Chungking con- firmed that the Russian offensive had begun and said the Soviets were attacking at three main but so far unidentified points along the 2, 0O0- mile Manchurian Siberian border.
 The Red Army already was several miles inside Japanese occupied ter- ritory Chungking sources said.
 A communique from the Kwan- tung army headquarters in Man. churia indicated that the main at- tack had been directed against the eastern frontier from the narrow silver of Siberian territory wedged in between Manchuria and the sea and tipped by Vladivostok.
 The Kwantung army, compris- ing some 750,000 of Japan,s tough est and best-trained troops, presum- ably was waiting for the Soviet attack in long1prepared deferses in side the border.
 Veteran Fighters
 Russia, for her part, had bolster ed her Far Eastern forces with bat tle-toughened veterans of the fight against Germany in the west and also sent vast quantities of tanks, planes and munitions to the Far East.
 It was obvious that the Russians launched their offensive only after long preparations-preparations of the kind that enabled them to ad- vance 200 to 300 miles across Eu- rope before pausing for reinforce ments and supplies.
 Russian progress was likely to be slower in the Far East than in Eu- rope. The terrain along the Siber- ian-Manchurian border is rugged and lacks the many roads that bi- sect the plains of Europe.
 First word of the attack came from the Tokyo radio in the form of flash" bulletin from head quarters of the Kwantung army in Hsinking in central Manchuria at 3:30 a. m. Manchurian time.
 '"The Soviet army suddenly launched an attack against Japanese forces on the eastern Soviet-Man- chukuo (Manchurian) border short ly after midnight last night" the dispatch said.
 According to a communique re- leased by the Kwantung army head quarters here at 3::30 this morning, Aug. g, the Soviet army suddenly opened an attack against Japanese forces on the eastern border at 12:10 a. m. with it's ground forces.
 Bombers Strafing
 The communique added that simultaneously small number of Soviet aircraft started bombing at tacks on strategic points in Man chukuo territory"
 Thus fighting started at 6:10 pm. Wednesday Moscow time-one hour and 10 minutes after Russia noti- fled Japan of her decision to enter the Pacific war-and 11:10 a. m. Wednesday E.WT.
 The broadcast made 1t evident that Russia based the effective time of her war declaration-12:01 8. m. -on Manchurian rather than Mos cow time.
 While Moscow remained silent on the opening of her Manchurian of Allied sources in Chungking quickly confirmed that it was un- der way.
 Pincer Movement
 The enemy account indicated that the Russians were driving west from the vulnerable narrow Vladivostok salient squeezed in between north ern Manchuria and the sea to lift any Japanese threat to the area.
 Most of the industries and popu- ation of the Soviet Far East were along the frontier, with the Amur and Ussuri rivers md the Trans-S Siberian railway the axis of settlements. Vladivostok is ,nly 20 miles east of the border.
 Chungking reported that Soviet American liaison for the attack was the closest. in history, with the Americans completely informed of he Russian tactical plans before he jump-off.
 Moscow dispatches said that Rus ia was preparing to hit with all its strength" against Manchuria. n recent weeks, Moscow said. there las been a steady flow of men, anks and planes eastward from the of Europe to reinforce he already formidable Red banner lrnny of the east.