LINES HELD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20602, 1 November 1941, Page 6

LINES HELD

MOSCOW FRONT NAZIS REPULSED CALL-UP IN CRIMEA TOTAL DEFENCE NEED • Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 1. 1 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 31. Summing up the position on the Moscow front, the Tass agency says:— "No substantial changes have occurred in the positions of our troops in the past 24 hours. Most activity yesterday occurred on our right Hank, where the Russians, with heavy counter-attacks, checked the enemy offensive. The Soviet forces on the centre and also the left flank occupy the defence line on their former positions, beating off attacks of enemy detachments.” A Kuibyshev message says that all Crimeans capable of carrying ai'ms iiave been called up for military service. Authoritative quarters in London regard the Germans’ Crimea push as a threat to the Caucasus. The suggestion that the Germans may turn eastward if they really penetrate the Perekop Isthmus and drive to Kerch instead of to Sebastopol is considered possible. If the move is 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 German communique states: “The enemy is in full flight in the Crimea, pursued by German and Rumanian troops. German and German allied troops continued the pursuit of the enemy in the Donetz Basin. Several attempts to break through from Leningrad were repulsed. Operations on other parts of the front continue.” The Rome radio to-day declared:— “The Russians in the Crimea, completely demoralised, are retreating to Kerch, which the Luftwaffe is bombing heavily. The fate of the Russian armies and likewise the Black Sea fleet is sealed.”