8. The piercing of the BRATISLAVA Gap has outflanked the enemy's defence line in Central SLOVAKIA. The Russian breakthrough West of Lake NEUSIEDELER has already overrun the industrial area of WIENER NEUSTADT and severed the lateral line of communication from VIENNA, through BRUCK and thence to ITALY and JUGOSLAVIA 9. As the build-up, of Russian forces in Eastern and Southeastern AUSTRIA develops, the enemy will be forced to meet an advance North of the DANUBE from BRATISLAVA and an assault on VIENNA from the South.