GERMAN CLAIMS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20603, 3 November 1941, Page 5

GERMAN CLAIMS

ADVANCE IN CRIMEA SEBASTOPOL THREAT LOSSES RECOUNTED (Reed. Nov. 3, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 2. A special announcement from Hitler’s headquarters to-day claimed that the German forces in the Crimea had reached the northern edge of the Jaila mountains on a broad front. The announcement added: “German and Rumanian troops captured Simferopol yesterday and are now advancing towards Sebastopol.” According to the Berlin radio, the Germans were yesterday approaching the isthmus of Kerch, along which lies the quickest route to the Caucasus and the rich oilfields between the Black Sea and the Caspian. A Hungarian communique stated: “We are systematically forcing the Russians across the Donetz and taking possession of the right bank.”

“German and Rumanian troops in the Crimea peninsula are ceaselessly pursuing the beaten enemy,” said a German communique yesterday. “We crossed the upper Donetz at several points. The Luftwaffe is striking heavy blows at the Russian communications in the Crimea.”

Stockholm newspaper correspondents in Berlin said yesterday that tiff German break-through on the Perekop Isthmus was achieved after the heaviest artillery duel of the war. Two hundred German guns, 40yds. apart, battered the Russian defences. The Russian artillery was equally formidable. German reports of the engagement firstly admitted heavy German losses. One German correspondent said: “Our ranks melted away"