SEBASTOPOL BATTLE

Grey River Argus, 15 June 1942, Page 5

SEBASTOPOL BATTLE

Defenders Hit Back

LONDON, June 12.

Despite the hourly increasing German pressure, Sebastopol continues courageously to hold out. The Russians are inflicting terrific losses as the battle sways back and forth, with the Germans making a desperate effort to consolidate the small gains which the “Red Star” admits they; have made.

A Soviet communique stated: On the Sebastopol front fighting continues. Some of the troops destroyed, during the day, fifty tanks, and put out of action a further twelve. They also destroyed ten mortar and gun batteries and routed three infantry regiments and a cavalry squadron. On Thursday the Germans made a major effort to break through two sectors of Russian naval infantry. One sector was subjected to a two-hour raid, but met the enemy with such concentrated artillery, mortar and rifle fire that the powerful German force was checked, after which a Russian counter-attack rolled the Germans back. The Germans suffered substantial casualties. The Germans on another sector employed numerous tanks in an effort to crash through the Russian line. Accurate Russian artillery fire destroyed twenty-five tanks. The Russians then counter-attacked from two sides. The enemy was driven back. The Moscow radio gives descriptions of important guerrilla activities in support of the hard-pressed defenders of Sabastopol.

(Rec. 8.30.) LOND_ON, June 13. Latest reports from Sebastopol stated the position of the Russians improved after serious Russian counter attacks in which German forces were flung back from a number of points.

According to a Stockholm report it is believed that the Germans lost sixty thousand killed at Sebastopol during the last three days. A Soviet communique stated:—On the Sebastopol front our troops have successfully repelled numerous enemy attacks, and have held their positions. FALL OF SEBASTOPOL FEARED IN LONDON (Rec. 8.100 LONDON, June 12. Pro-Russian sources are obviously impressed by immense Axis forces which are now arrayed on an arc spanning Sebastopol’s relatively small area from sea to sea, and these sources express the belief that such forces must wear down any fortress. HEAVIER FORCES ATTACKING SEBASTOPOL (Rec. 11.50) LONDON, June 14. The Germans on the Sebastopol front are now using more Rumanians, and are making an effort to, break through on the northern sector,. after failure in attacks from tne south-east and from the north-east. The Germans, at great cost, have succeeded in driving a wedge into one small sector. The defenders are trading blow for blow. The enemy pressure is as great as ever, and fresh reserves are piling in.

Russian artillery has been very effective, and knocked out fifty tanks, and damaged twelve. The fighting is becoming more and more intense. The Germans lost 5500 killed in tone [sector in two days’ fighting.

MOSCOW, J'une 12. The Moscow “Red Star” stated that the Russian Inies at Sebastopol are gravely threatened at several points but are still intact. The Germans are hurling .in more new machines, and the climax of the fight-’ ing is approaching. BREACHES MADE IN SEBASTOPOL DEFENCES (Rec. 12.45) LONDON, J'une 14. A report from Vichy says: A battle of extreme violence is now raging at Sebastopol. The Germans have for the first time, flung monster tanks into breaches they have made to the north-east and the south-east of the city. Flame-throwing enemy detachments have widened the north-east breach.