Evening star., 1945-01-07
Nazi Counterattacks
RepuIsed by Reds
In Budapest Area
Russian Communique
Indicates Big Bottle
Is Still in Progress
BY the Associated Press.


LONDON, Sunday, Jan. THE
Red Army yesterday repulsed
large-scale German counterat-
tacks northwest and west OF
Budapest in violent fighting,
while another 173 square blocks
Of the Hungarian capital fell to
the Russians, the Soviet COM
munique announced today.
Enemy accounts contended the
German drive had reached within
II miles Of Budapest at two points
While Soviet military commen-
tator said these efforts to relieve
the city had failed an early
morning supplement to the nightly
Moscow communique indicated the
tremendous battle still was in pro-
gress after i've days and said the
enemy was in numerically superior
force. I IS
' Five Hour hattie.
In one sector on the south bank
Of the Danube River northwest Of
Budapest, the Germans STACKED
early yesterday with an Elite Guard
armored division. two infantry di-
visions and parachutists, the sup
plement said. In five-hour battle,
the enemy suffered tremendous
losses and had to turn back, but re-
newed the battle later.
A violent engagement occurred
west of Bicske, II miles west of
Budapest, and there again the
enemy was thrown back, leaving
behind more than 1000 dead, 40
cannon. five armored cars and II
armored troop carriers.
Soviet planes destroyed IL Ger
man tanks and six armored cars.
the supplemental bulletin said. On
that battlefront Friday the enemy
lost so tanks, the regular communi-
que said, making q total OF $40
knocked out since the German
counteroffensive began on that
front. On all fronts Friday the
Germans lost 100 tanks, Moscow
said.
1850 Prisoners Taken.
In Budapest, the communiuue
said. prisoners taken Friday num-
bered $780,
Indicating some dwindling in the
scope OF German air support of the
counteroffensive, Moscow said only
II German planes were shot down
on all fronts Friday. The total de-
stroyed northwest of Budapest since
Tuesday had been put at 81.
Col. Alexander Karpov, military
specialist for the Moscow News
wrote that the German counter
offensive had failed and that strip
of territory between the capital and
the Germans remained quiet" de-
spite breakthrough efforts by six
armored divisions and several divi-
sions OF infantry.
Col. Karpoy noted that many
points had changed hands several
times, however. In Budapest, he
said that more than $500 Of the
city's $500 blocks were now In Rus
sian hands, but cautioned that
lighting still ahead will be even
more difficult and ferocious."
Mosquito Bombers Used.
His article disclosed, too, that the
Russians were employing waves oi
Mosquito bombers, Stormovik tank
busters and dive-bombers on specific
targets inside Budapest.
This was the 4irst mention OF
Mosquitoes being used on the east
ern front. and it was not clear
whether they were the famous
British type or Russian develop
ment Of it.
Meanwhile, the enemy claimed
the counterattacks northwest Of
Budapest were gaining ground.
A Hungarian communicate broad
cast by the 0erman-controlled
Hungarian radio said German and
Hungarian tanks stand before
Bicske and Darog." Daros is II
miles northwest Of Budapest.
The Germans declared they had
split the Russian right wing just
south Of the Danube and rolled back
the Soviet forces in disorder.
Austria Drive Declared Abandoned.
They told Of destroying or cap
turing i6l Russian big guns and l07
antitank guns in four days and
said the main front now was be-
tween Felsogalla. 25 miles west Of
(See RUSSIA, Page A-8.)
Rndio Prooroms. q. Gil