SEBASTOPOL STORMED

Evening Star, Issue 25170, 9 May 1944, Page 5

SEBASTOPOL STORMED

Russians Smash Through German Lines

Heavy Engagements On City's Approaches

Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright

'(Beceived noon.) LONDON, May 8. Moscow reports that a great new offensive has begun against Sebastopol. , The Russians in the Crimea, supported by massed air blows and powerful artillery, yesterday began to storm the heavilv-fortified positions defending Sebastopol. After two days of bitter fighting," says a Soviet communique, we have broken enemy resistance and smashed through the mam lines in the Sebastopol defence area and through the widelydeveloped system of reinforced concrete fortifications. " We advanced four miles and captured heights and powerful 'defence centres dominating Sebastopol, including the town of Inkerman, three miles east of Sebastopol. ■ • "Soviet troops are now heavily engaged in fighting near the approaches of Sebastopol. " Black Sea fleet air arm planes sank four transports totalling 10,000 tons, a patrol cutter, and several landing barges of a convoy to the west of Sebastopol. The planes heavily damaged other vessels." The German defences of Sebastopol are very strong, and in addition to the extensive artillery installed by them they have the use of guns left by the Russians. Sebastopol to-day is protected by heavy artillery, an air umbrella, considerable anti-aircraft defences, and a complex system of fortifications. In two days, however, the Russians have accomplished what it took the Germans eight months to do in 1941. To-day's German communique stated: " The enemy at Sebastopol re-attacked with strong forces, supported by heavy artillery, and penetrated the southern sector." The German News Agency's commentator, Major von Hammer, said: " Our troops in the northern sector of Sebastopol yielded to the enemy's overpowering pressure, and withdrew to a shorter defence line, abandoning some forward ground."