DELAY IN CAPTURE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 140, 16 June 1942, Page 5

DELAY IN CAPTURE

Nazi Spokesman Apologises

LONDON, June 15.

A Berlin spokesman has apologised for the delay at Sebastopol, and said;in a broadcast that the approaches to Sebastopol, consisting of deep ravines and gorges, were ideal for defensive positions, and that direct shelling of them was practically impossible.

High Command claim that the Russians have been thrown out of several strongly-fortified positions and that Axis infantry has thrust; deeply into the Russian defence system is not.confirmed. CITIZEN ARMY FORMED. A Moscow report states that the Soviet troops defending Sebastopol have been reinforced by a large army of citizens, including women snipers.

While the German attacks against Kharkov and Sevastopol continue with increasing intensity, the Red Army is again attacking in the Volkhov sector between Leningrad and Lake Ilmen. Berlin says the fighting here is equal in intensity to that of last winter when the Russian attacks caused the German lines to bulge, but not to break. A Helsinki message says that German and Italian troops have been attacking Leningrad for two days from land and sea. Assault barges are being used to land troops behind the Russian lines.