Newspaper of the defenders of Leningrad "On Guard of the Motherland", October 21, 1943

On Guard for the Motherland, No. 247 (7479), October 21, 1943

Death to the German Invaders!
Daily Red Army Newspaper of the Leningrad Front

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The Youth — Heroes of Our Motherland!

The young are brave, steadfast, and full of hatred for the enemy.

Four hundred and fifty boys and girls from trade and railway schools sent a letter to Comrade Stalin:

"We warmly salute the Red Army and its glorious heroes. All our strength and knowledge, all our skills — to the front. Long live the Red Army and its leader — the great Stalin!"

These 450 young workers and students pledged to study and work like soldiers on the front line. Many have already volunteered for the Red Army and are fighting on active fronts.

In these hard times, the people of the USSR look to the Red Army as the guarantee of freedom. The youth of Krajchontsy have met that hope with honor.

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ORDER TO THE TROOPS OF THE LENINGRAD FRONT

October 13, 1943

On behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, I award:

Order of the Red Star to:

• Senior Sergeant Mikhail Komkov

• Sergeant Pavel Shchukin

• Lieutenant Petr Khmel

Medal for Valor to:

• Sailor Ivan Shcherbakov

Medal for Military Merit to 22 other Red Navy men, sergeants, and officers of the Leningrad Front (names listed in full).

Commander of the Leningrad Front — Gen. Lt. Govorov
Military Council — Gen. Maj. Kuznetsov
Chief of Staff — Gen. Maj. Gusev

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From the Banks of the Neva — to the Heroes of the Dnieper

Ukrainian Soldiers Hold Rally

Ukrainian soldiers of a unit on the Leningrad Front held a rally in honor of the liberation of Kyiv, Kamyanka, and Lysychansk.

Soldiers Karmelyuk, Levko, Korniyenko, Bilyk, and Danchenko spoke:

"The Dnieper is our river. We will give everything to drive the enemy from our land forever!"
"Long live free Ukraine in the fraternal union of Soviet republics!"

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Soviet Information Bureau Summary – October 20

On October 20, Soviet forces repelled German attacks near Melitopol, then launched counterattacks, capturing several settlements.

South of Kremenchuk, Soviet troops crossed the Dnieper and fought against German infantry and artillery on the western bank.

Elsewhere on the front, no major changes.

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Breakfast with Comrade Molotov

On October 20, People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs V. M. Molotov hosted a breakfast for Cordell Hull (U.S. Secretary of State) and Anthony Eden (British Foreign Secretary).

Attendees included:

• Marshals of the USSR

• Members of the Allied delegations

• Ambassadors of the U.S. and U.K.

• Senior Soviet government officials

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PAGE 4

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FROM THE SOVIET INFORMATION BUREAU (continued)

In the Chernihiv region, Soviet troops advanced, taking new high ground, destroying a full German infantry company and a tank.

German Atrocities:

• In Mokrets (Chernihiv region): 11 women and children burned alive.

• In Mala Doch (Voroshilovgrad region): 70 civilians murdered.

• In Likhovka (Kremenchuk district): 43 farmers shot.

• In Khmelevka (Ternopil region): 19 people executed.

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News from the Front

• On October 19, Soviet anti-aircraft gunners shot down 6 enemy planes in the Kuba sector.

• A German reconnaissance group was destroyed on the Leningrad Front.

• In the south, 18 German infantry were taken prisoner.

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AIRSTRIKES ON GERMAN RAILWAY HUBS

On October 20, Soviet bombers struck Fastiv, Znamianka, Dzhankoi, and Nikopol.

Damage: rail lines destroyed, fuel tanks and transport cars blown up.

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ON THE DNIEPER, SOUTH OF HOMEL

Soviet units under Maj. Vladimir Nesterov held a bridgehead near Kravchenko farm against heavy German attacks.

Soviet scouts revealed mortar positions. Artillery under Lt. Levchenko responded with deadly fire.

On the night of October 20, Germans attempted a pontoon crossing but were sunk by Soviet fire.

In the morning, another attack failed. Prisoners confirmed German ammo shortages.

On the Pogorelets sector, Soviet tanks counterattacked, taking prisoners from SS units. Sgt. Mironov captured a “tongue” (prisoner).

Cpl. Kireyev’s squad took a German ammo dump.

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Across the Country

Books for the Front: Writers in Leningrad sent 3,800 books to the front lines, including Lenin’s works and literature.

Rebuilding Belgorod: A bakery, power plant, 3 schools, 2 libraries, workshops, and a bathhouse are back in service. The city’s newspaper resumed publication.

Children of Frontline Soldiers: Students and Young Pioneers pledged:

"We will support the army with discipline, study, and labor!"

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SATIRE SECTION — POWERLESS RAGE

(Cartoon Caption)
Hitler: “Where is Himmler?! Where’s the Gestapo?! Shut down those Soviet radios!”

(Hitler smashes a Soviet transmitter with a pipe; leaflets fall out.)

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Stettinius Statement

Washington (TASS): Edward Stettinius, U.S. Under Secretary of State, said:

"The United States remains united with the USSR and Britain. We will fight until fascism is destroyed."

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Military Operations in Italy

London (TASS): On October 20, Allied forces captured Campobasso and Vasto.
British planes bombed positions near Naples.
Five German guns seized, 11 prisoners taken.

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French Underground Continues Printing

London (TASS): Resistance printers in France continue to publish leaflets and newspapers.

One recent leaflet:

"Each word is a blow to the enemy. Rise up and fight!"

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New U.S. Troops Arrive in England

London (TASS): A new American troop contingent landed in Britain on October 18.

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Editor-in-Chief: M. Gordon
Postal address: Field Post No. 22945 A
Print ID: GM 53347

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