FIERCE BATTLE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21385, 21 April 1944, Page 3

FIERCE BATTLE

THE POLISH FRONT NAZIS REPULSED RUSSIANS REGROUPING WIDE ATTACKS EXPECTED (11 a.m.) LONDON, April 20. Field-Marshal von Mannstein is throwing tanks and shock troops into the western Ukraine thrust on a scale reminiscent of the unsuccessful counter-offensive at Kiev, says Reuter’s Moscow correspondent. Von Mannstein is extending and intensifying the attacks which were launched in the region of Stanislawow, supported by a large number of planes, in an attempt to force the Russians from the key Carpathian passes and nold up the imminent threat against Lwow. The Russians, however, according to the latest indications, are wearing down the Germans. A fierce battle occurred east of Stanislawow, where oig German infantry and tank forces attacked the Russian positions. Several places changed hands repeatedly oefore the Russian infantry, supported by artillery and mortars, finally oioke the enemy thrusts. The Red Star reports that all the remaining Germans in the Crimea are now herded' in Sebastopol and are still resisting desperately. Small groups succeeded in disengaging and putting to sea, but cannot save themselves, as the Red Air Force is everywhere. One Russian formation alone sank more than 10 large enemy ships m the last few days. According to a neutral correspondent in Berlin, the Germans expect many new Russian attacks soon, states Reuter’s Stockholm correspondent. Dispatches from Berlin report chat the Russians are believed to be making huge regrouping concentrations over the widest area. The new offensive can come from three directions—Bukovina, Lwow or the Danube estuary, but a drive against the Baltic States must be recokned with. Guerrillas in Odessa Russian guerrillas in Odessa livea undergrouna in every sense of the word, says Reuter’s correspondent, describing his visit to the Odessa catacombs 100 feet below the city streets, from which 10,000 armed Russians emerged on April 9 to lend a hand to the oncoming Red Army afterliving through a period of killing such as few Russian cities have undergone. During the German occupation 7U,0U0 Jews were shot, hanged or burned to death. Systematic resistance within Odessa began in January, 1943, with a small band of underground fighters. They obtained arms by devious means, buying some on the black market where Germans and Rumanians sold weapons. The catacomb campaign began in March, 1944, when the German military took over the city, after which the guerrillas immediately went underground. une guerrilla leader said: “The Germans did not know how many oi us there were. They were in a perpetual state of panic about what we were doing. On April 8 they declarea a 3 p.m. curfew and ordered all windows to be shut and doors open—the windows were shut to prevent gren-ade-throwing and doors were open to enable German soldiers to take quick cover.” The catacombs contain 100 miles oi corridors and caves in which the guerrillas accumulated stocks of food, built a radio station, established a printing press, installed electric light and maintained a hospital complete with beds and linen. Over 13,000 people passed through the catacombs during the occupation. One Jewish family lived underground for lfc months without once venturing out. - Ukrainian Industries

9 British and American correspondents who have just returned from a week’s visit to the Second Ukraine front at Odessa have observed that the Germans failed to touch the lower Ukraine as they did northern Russia. Already some sections of industries are functioning. Many dwellings were spared from the flames, as the Germans fled too fast to fire them. The Mayor of Odessa, M. Boris Davidanko, told correspondents that the' Rumanians proved an even greater evil than the Germans and subjected the people to sadistic torcures, with greater readiness than their German masters. A Russian communique says Russian planes sank a German transport between Sebastopol and Constanza and left two others blazing. They also sank a transport and four self-pro-pelled barges at the approaches to Sebastopol. A Moscow message says the Soviet Air Force is actively supporting the ground forces advancing on Sebastopol. Soviet planes effectively attacked aerodromes and destroyed 38 enemy planes. They also blew up two large stores and killed over 100 Germans. Another Moscow message says that Marshal Koniev’s troops crossed the Moldavia River in Rumania.