PANIC IN RUMANIA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 270, 13 November 1943, Page 5

PANIC IN RUMANIA

THOUSANDS FLEEING

Rapid Russian Advance Causes Consternation Rec. 1.30 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 12. Algiers radio stated that the Rumanians are evacuating their oil stccks from Ploesti, while depots of petrol are ready- to be blown up whenever the Russian advance makes it necessary. Fighting ' between Rumanian troops, and Partisans has broken out in the frontier districts of *Silistra, Craiova and Orahovac, say reports from Switzerland. Thirty thousand persons besieged the Swiss and Turkish Consulates in Rumania, especially in Bucharest, seeking visas to get out cf the country following the news of the Red Army's rapid progress at the southern end of the eastern front. The Russians' swift and unchecked advance has caused a veritable panic throughout Rumania. Tens of thousands of panic-stricken peasants are evacuating eastern Rumania before the advancing Red Army can reach them. Peasants are jamming the main roads along which the Germans are trying to rush reinforcements to the eastern front. The German garrisons in Bessarabia, Bukovina and Moldavia have been ordered to halt evacuation at all costs. Hundreds of Rumanian refugees have already been arrested. PARTISANS ACTIVE' GERMAN GARRISON ROUTED British Official Wireless Rec. 2 p.m. RUGBY, Nov. 12. Soviet partisans operating in the Kalinin region, south of Leningrad, attacked a German garrison in one locality. The enemy was routed. Partisans captured eleven machineguns, a mortar, a wireless transmitter, rifles and ammunition. Another Partisan in two weeks derailed eight military trains. IN THE BALTIC PLANES SINK ENEMY SHIPS British Official Wireless Rec. 2 p.m. RUGBY, Nov. 12. The Soviet Baltic Air Arm has sunk an enemy trawler and a transport of 1000 tons in the Gulf of Finland, reports a supplementary Soviet communique.