DEATH TO THE GERMAN OCCUPIERS!

ON GUARD OF THE MOTHERLAND
THE DAILY RED ARMY NEWSPAPER OF THE LENINGRAD FRONT

No. 241 (7473)  October 14, 1943, Thursday  25th year of publication

Skilfully use heavy machine guns!

A heavy machine gun in the hands of a brave and competent fighter is a formidable force. In one of the battles the machine gunner Nikolai Vinogradov destroyed more than 200 Germans with his “Maxim.” On a stormy night, when German lines tried to bypass our positions, Vinogradov crawled to several firing points and opened accurate fire on the enemy.
He used the terrain skilfully, changed positions, camouflaged his gun. As a result the attack was repelled and the enemy suffered heavy losses.
A heavy machine gun is not only a destructive weapon; it is also a strong moral factor. In a moment of alarm the gunner must be calm, firm and attentive.
One must learn to use the weapon skillfully, study its mechanism, know its characteristics, be able to put it into action instantly.
(…)
Junior Sergeant Misha Klimov, in recent battles, advanced quickly, discovered an enemy firing point and destroyed it with accurate fire.
Photo by A. Serebryakov.

Presentation of banners to the defenders of the approaches to the city of Lenin

CELEBRATION IN THE N–UNIT

Among the soldiers and officers of the N–unit it is a solemn day: the unit celebrates the 15th anniversary of its existence. Over these years the unit has passed through the school of harsh combat experience and has become a recognized defender of the northern borders of our country in the struggle against the German invaders.
At the formation the commander said that during the war the unit had destroyed large enemy forces, repelled dozens of attacks, and strengthened the defence of the approaches to the city of Lenin.
Yesterday the unit was presented with the Red Banner of the Commanders of Leningrad.
The decree was signed by the front commander (…).
Representatives of Party and Komsomol organizations took part in the ceremony.
(…)
On behalf of the front command Comrade Kapustin read the order of the NKO.
The commander of the unit promised to justify the trust of the Motherland.
Then the head of the political department of the front (…) handed the banner to the commander.
The border guards accepted the banner vowing never to disgrace it.
After the ceremony a meeting was held.
(…)
At the end the participants decided to double their training and intensify the offensive pressure on the enemy.
(TASS).

From the Soviet Information Bureau

OPERATIONAL SUMMARY FOR OCTOBER 13

On the MELITOPOL direction our troops, after three days of fierce battles, broke through the strongly fortified defensive line north and south of MELITOPOL, built by the Germans out of powerful concrete and steel pillboxes.
In battles for these strongpoints the Germans suffered heavy losses in manpower and equipment.
Our troops occupied the northern part of MELITOPOL.
On the ZAPOROZHYE direction, after four days of fighting, our forces broke through the enemy defences and advanced 8–10 kilometers.
Artillery fire and massed air strikes destroyed many German soldiers and officers and many tanks and guns.
On the middle reaches of the DNIEPER our forces crossed the river south of KIEV.
Elsewhere — intensified reconnaissance and artillery-mortar duels.
On October 12 our troops destroyed 127 enemy tanks. Air battles and anti-aircraft fire shot down 39 enemy aircraft.
(Continued on Page 4.)

A “Tongue” is taken!

In the night of October 13 a reconnaissance group under Junior Lieutenant Okladnikov penetrated the enemy rear and captured a “tongue” — Corporal Gustav Wesser.
The prisoner provided valuable information about the location of firing points and planned attacks.
The scouts returned without losses.
Lieutenant A. BORISOV.

Awarding of distinguished artillerymen

The commander of artillery of the Red Banner Guards Leningrad Front, Lieutenant General Gaev, awarded personnel with the medals “For Courage” and “For Battle Merit.”
Among the awardees were crews distinguished in suppressing enemy artillery, destroying machine-gun nests and repelling enemy counterattacks.
(…)

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[Page 2]

Skilfully suppress and destroy the enemy’s mortar batteries!

Counter-mortar warfare

Our forces dominate with fire.
During the battles the mortar men of the N–unit, using their knowledge of the terrain, accurately calculated the positions of enemy mortars and suppressed them with fire.
Day and night our mortarmen keep the enemy’s heads down.
(Extended column on tactics, counter-battery methods, examples…)
The team of Senior Sergeant Kulagin destroyed two German guns with accurate fire.
(…)

Studying the enemy’s defences. New German mines

The fascists are using new (…) mines of increased power. Our sappers studied them and found rapid methods of neutralizing them.
(Technical details…)

Use truck coupling and trailers more widely!

(Article on logistics, transport efficiency, increasing supply runs…)

About careful and careless drivers

A local resident, Ivan Makeev, recalls that a careful and economical driver serves the cause better than a wasteful and careless one.
(…)

High skill of anti-tank riflemen

The anti-tank fighters of the N–unit inflict heavy losses on German armour.
They choose positions well, camouflage themselves, and act covertly.
Senior Lieutenant K. YUKHNO: “In battle it is important not only to shoot accurately, but to act boldly.”
(…)

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[Page 3]

ON THE EVE OF THE 25th ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOMSOMOL
THE EXAMPLE OF HEROES CALLS US TO FEATS!

(A long editorial celebrating Komsomol heroism, courage, discipline, examples of bravery, the patriotic duty of youth…)
Komsomol members of the Leningrad Front vow to strike the enemy until total victory.
(…)

Sons of the great city

The heroic deeds of Leningraders are an example of endurance.
Stories of defenders, young fighters, girl medics, factory workers (…).

To the last breath…

The story of a fighter (…) who, being gravely wounded in a critical moment of the battle, continued to fire until his strength was gone.

Fury in battle

The Germans cannot withstand the assault of our infantry.
Comrade S… of a rifle unit describes how the fighters closed with the enemy hand-to-hand and drove him back.

The hero’s students

On the Leningrad Front operates a sniper school created in honor of a fallen hero (…).
Its students successfully carry out combat missions, destroying enemy officers and observers.

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[Page 4]

From the Soviet Information Bureau
(Conclusion. Beginning on Page 1.)

14 destroyed German tanks.
36 enemy aircraft shot down in 24 hours.
Our troops advance, capturing settlements.
(A long operational report…)
Up to 300 enemy soldiers destroyed in the battle for the village (…).
Large quantities of trophies — up to 5,000 cartridges, dozens of mortars — captured.
(…)

Declaration of Marshal Badoglio

(A full text of the Italian declaration on leaving the war, joining the Allies, resisting the Germans…)
Marshal Badoglio calls on the population of Italy to support the Allies.
(…)

DECLARATION
of the Governments of the USSR, Great Britain and the USA on recognizing Italy as a co-belligerent

(The full diplomatic text calling for strengthening the anti-fascist coalition…)

Raids of our aviation on railway junctions Dyatkovo, Mogilev, Orsha, Gorky and enemy airfields

On the night of October 13 our aviation bombed key junctions.
(List of targets, results…)

Military operations in Italy

British troops are advancing.
American forces engaged in fighting at the southern approaches to (…).
(…)

Hitlerite barbarians cause enormous destruction in Naples

LONDON (TASS). While retreating, the fascists destroyed buildings, set fire to warehouses, blew up bridges and government institutions.
(…)

Anti-German sabotage in the Netherlands

STOCKHOLM (TASS).
The local population participates in mass actions of resistance.
(…)

Continuing operations in Corsica

(…)

Our address: Field Post 22845 A.
Editor-in-chief
M. GOROKHOV.

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