EPIC OF ODESSA

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 287, 1 September 1941, Page 7

EPIC OF ODESSA

Supplies Brought Up By Sea (British Official Wireless.) (Received August 31, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, August 30. Dispatches reaching Moscow from Odessa state that though Odessa is encircled by land, violent fighting is still going on and heavy casualties are being inflicted on the German and Rumanian forces. An eye-witness account states that the city bristles with bayonets as the regular troops and the people’s army are reinforced from the Black Sea by Soviet sailors. All those capable of bearing arms have joined the people’s army and are fighting in the approaches to the city or building barricades round practically every street. The Germans are raiding Odessa daily, but its air defences and fighters have prevented the enemy planes from causing much damage. The Germans shelled the city once, but Soviet bombers destroyed the battery. In spite of the encirclement, raids and shelling, the everyday life of Odessa is not much disturbed, and stores, institutions and transport continue to function normally. During darkness supplies and ammunition are brought up by sea. The workers are not only producing armoured trains, but two are already participating in the city’s defence. The factories of Odessa are still turning out clothes and shoes for the defenders, while food is brought up by sea.