BATTLE FOR SEBASTOPOL ABOUT TO BEGIN

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 13430, 18 April 1944, Page 5

BATTLE FOR SEBASTOPOL ABOUT TO BEGIN

GERMANS REPORT FURIOUS ATTACKS ON THE PORT SOVIET FORCES GRADUALLY CLOSING IN ON GREAT NAVAL BASE RED ARMY FORCES FURTHER CROSSINGS OVER THE LOWER DNIESTER London, April 17. A Tow months ago Nazi propaganda was saying that tho strong German forces in the Crimea, though isolated from the mainland, were preparing for any attack. There was no reason who the peninsula should be evacuated. Now, after just over a week of rapid Russian advances, the only part of the Crimea still in German and Russian hands is the south-western corner which takes in the naturally powerful naval base of Sebastopol. Although there is no news from Moscow' to show that the battle for Sebastopol has actually begun, a communique from Hitler’s headquarters to-night spoke of furious attacks in the area of Sebastopol and claiming that they had broken down in the hont of the new German positions. The fact seems to be that General Tolbnkhin’s forces from the Perekop which were reported to be only six miles from tin* naval base two nights ago. have been preparing a frontal attack, while General Yeremenko’s troops have been fighting their way along the south coast to within 25 miles of Sebastopol. Yesterdav. besides capturing Yalta, the only evacuation port except Sebastopol in enemy hands, they pushed on another 10 miles, covering 25 miles in as many hours. Large quantities of booty were captured and 3000 prisoners were taken, including an entire enemy battalion and its commander. Fierce fighting is still going on in the nigged mountains. Ahead of the advancing Russian troops Sebastopol port and the shipping in it is being heavily attacked from the aii. At s< <i the Russian navy is maintaining a careful watch for escaping enemy troops. . ,v On the mainland the Russians have forced further crossings of the lower Dniester. They have seized hills and bridgheads m the face of counter-attacks which have cost the enemy nearly -000 dead.