Sebastopol Battlefield Looks Like Vast Volcano

Northern Advocate, 27 April 1944, Page 5

Sebastopol Battlefield Looks Like Vast Volcano

(Received 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, April 26

THE GERMANS HAVE RINGED SEBASTOPOL WITH ONE 1 OF THE GREATEST BARRAGES IN HISTORY, IN AN ENDEAVOUR TO HOLD THE PORT AND EVACUATE TROOPS, SAYS THE MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT OF THE UNITED PRESS.

They have concentrated every available gun, from light antiaircraft weapons to heavy artillery, in a great semi-circle running from the southern to the western shores of the Crimea. This whole area has been converted into one gigantic battery which spouts flames of metal whenever Russian planes and troops attack. Gun positions have been hewn in the rock on which the city is built. Stone houses have been converted into strongpoints. The Germans, trying to get troops out by air as well as by sea, are using large numbers of troop-carrying Junkers and six-engined Messerschmitts, but these efforts are being cut to pieces by strong formations of Russian fighters which pounce on transport planes immediately they leave the belt ot protective fire. The Russian Air Force also is ranging over the whole length of the German escape route from Sebastopol to Rumanian ports. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says that thick clouds of dust and great plumes of smoke are rising from hills and gulleys around Sebastopol. The sky over the city is half-hidden by white puffs of shell bursts. A “Pravda” correspondent who watched the battle from the sea says the battlefield looks as if a vast volcano was belching smoke and flame over the city.

German Effort Spent

Moscow reports so far make no mention of violent Red Army attacks in the Lower Dniester which have been reported in Germ;<n and Rumanian communiques, but the British United Prasse correspondent says that the German effort around Stanislawow appears to be spending itself and Red Army counter-attacks in at least one sector have pushed back the enemy with severe losses.

Transports Sunk

The Soviet communique again reports that no important changes occurred on the whole front. The air communique says planes day and night bombed ships and military stores at Sebastopol, Several transports were directly hit and fires were observed in various parts of the port, accompanied by numerous explosions. Our air force continued to deal blows at enemy transports on communication linos in the open sea.

During the past 24 hours five enemy transports, toaalling 13.000 tons, also an invasion barge and two patrol vessels have been sunk and two other transports seriously damaged. Our aerial reconnaissance a few clays ago spotted in Barents' Sea a large group of German transports sailing under the escort of naval vessels. Our planes dealt five consecutive blows against the enemy with bombs and torpedoes. Despite strong anti-aircraft fire our airmen broke through to the enemy ships and sank four German transports, totalling 20.000 tons, also two coastguard vessels and a coastguard cutter. Heavy damage also was inflicted on two transports, a coastguard vessel and a torpedo-boat. Berlin radio's commentator ivon Olberg) says Russia probably is planning a largescale attack against Rumania. The whole deployment of the second and third Ukrainian armies indicates that Galatz will be the next objective. Heavy battles are looming. Jlig Offensive Launched The Russians have begun a big offensive in the lower reaches of the Dniester. A Rumanian communique slates that tiro enemy, after violent artillery preparation, supported by numerous mass air formations, went over to the offensive on a wide front in the lower reaches of the Dniester. Violent figlhing is in progress south of Tishina and south of Dubossavi (north-cast of Kishinev.! The Russians are massing between the Dniester and Soret and the Fourth Ukrainian Army, hitherto'engaged in the Crimea, is moving to the mainland front, according to Berlin broadcasts. Other Russian troop concentrations have been observed in Narma, Ostrov. Koval and Kowel areas. Hie German overseas news agency quoting a Beilin military spokesman, says that a last-minute report from Ihc Crimea states that the Russian High Command has concentrated fresh powerful tank and artillery units south-east of Sebastopol for a new assault against the fortress. Russian artillery and massed formations of dive-bombers have been pounding German nositions around * Sebastopol all day and night. The agency adds that cast and north-east Hungary have been declared war zones.

A supplementary Moscow communique says that Russian infantry and tanks launched a sudden attack against the enemy's flank south-east of Slanislawow, forcing him to retreat, leaving several hundred dead. Two more enemy troop transports were sunk between Sebastopol and Cons'anta and others damaged.