CRIMEAN CAMPAIGN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 107, 1 November 1941, Page 9

CRIMEAN CAMPAIGN

POSSIBLE GERMAN

STRATEGY

DRIVE TO PORT OF KERCH

(Rec. 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, October 31

A German communique states: "The enemy are in full flight in the Crimea, pursued by German and Rumanian troops. German and allied troops have continued the pursuit of the enemy in the Donets. Ba^in. Several attempts to break through from Leningrad were repulsed. Operations in other parts of the front continue." The Rome radio declared: "The Russians in the Crimea are completely demoralised and are retreating to Kerch, which the Luftwaffe is bombing heavily. The fate of the Russian armies, and likewise of the Black Sea fleet, is sealed." Authoritative quarters in London regard the German position in the Crimea as a threat to the Caucasus. A suggestion that they will turn eastward if they really penetrate the Perekop Isthmus and drive to Kerch instead of to Sebastopol is considered possible. If such a move proved successful the narrow sea channel separating the eastern Crimea from the Caucasus mainland could be protected by coastal batteries against the Russian Black Sea fleet. The route thus obtained to the Caucasus would considerably shorten the distance, and might also be used to outflank the Russian defences.

A Kuibyshev message says that all Crimeans who are capable of carrying arms have been called up for military service.