BATTLE RAGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24274, 15 May 1942, Page 5

BATTLE RAGES

KERCH PENINSULA (f enemy pressure gOYIET WITHDRAWAL AID FROM CAUCASUS - T Xelegfapb—Press Association—Copyright Xed. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON. May 14 A Moscow communique states: «Tbe German High Command's report that the fighting on the Kerch peninsula has ended in favour of Germans, and that the German troops have a large number of prisoners and guns, is not true. Our troops are withdrawing in" good order and inflicting tremendous josses on the advancing Germans." Reports from Moscow say that the jferch Peninsula is still the scene of a itufcborn struggle. The Russians hare thrown in all arms, including the Black gea Fleet General Kozlov, commander of the Red Army in the Caucasus, is flinging in fresh forces. Dive-Bombers and Tanks With the forces on both sides comparatively small, and fighting on a narrow front, the battle is largely a 'duel to the death between dive-bombers and tanks. Heavy British and American tanks'and aeroplanes are operating all alofig the front. German air activity over the waters round the Kerch Peninsula indicates that the Russians are jusiring up reinforcements by sea.

An earlier Russian communique itated that the Soviet troops on Wednesday retired to new positions in the face of superior enemy forces. Unofficial reports from Moscow said the outcome the struggle might be apparent in a few days. Confidence was expressed that the German drive would be defeated. ' , The German communique, the truth of which is denied by Moscow, states that. the battle of the isthmus has ended with the destruction of the enemy, who has been over-run and encircled. It adds: "So far 40,000 prisoners, 197 tanks, 598 guns and 260 aeroplanes have been captured." Leader ol Germans The German Eleventh Army, which is attacking in the Crimea, is commanded by General von Mannstein, whb is considered to be one of the most brilliant and formidable of Hitler's generals. He was chief of staff to von Rundstedt in the Polish campaign and commanded the 38th Army Corps in France and Russia. He succeeded to his present command in September on the death of Probert. Unofficial reports say that, in addition to tanks and cavalry, von .Mannstein has 2000 dive-bombers bafering across the 15-mile neck of the J|erch Isthmus. Russians at the end of last year recaptured the town of Kerch and also the peninsula to a point nearly 50 miles west of the town. Since then their line has /run across the isthmus at the narrowest point. Between there and Kerch the isthmus .widens to some 30 Bttiies. - -The 8.8.C. observer in Moscow, Mr. Paul Winterton, says that against the Germans and Rumanians the Russians are .using tough Caucasian divisions stiffened by marines of the Black Sea Fleet. They . are the marines.who recaptured Kerch and Theodosia last December. Possible Enemy Plan The immediate aim of the enemy, says Mr. Winterton, appears to be merely to capture the Kerch Peninsula before attacking across the strait agkinst the mainland. If the Germans are successful it seems that they will then attempt to attack through or round Rostov. Their forces on the Kerch Peninsula are not large enough for an attack on the Caucasian oilfields, the major part of the forces for which will have to pass round the shores of the Sea of Azov. In the Rostov area and on the mainland opposite Kerch the Russians have turned every inhabited place into a fortress. Military authorities in London believe that this is not the beginning of the main offensive. However, although the Germans themselves indicate that it is only a preliminary operation, the fact remains that the long-awaited resumption of operations has begun, as was expected, in the extreme south, where the ground is now dry. On most of the front the thaw still keeps both armies immobile. ATTACK ON RUSSIA PROBABLE JAPANESE MOVE AGREEMENT WITH GERMANY SYDNEY, May 14 j There is good reason to believe that Japan has decided to link up her fate j with Germany and it is probable an j agreement has now been reached for Japan to attack Russia, says the London correspondent of the Sydney Sun. j Germany has been pressing Japan, hard to do this for a considerable time. Japan's attitude now markedly contrasts with that when it decided to enter the war long before December 7. Although prearranged with Germany, 'this was an independent action primarily for Japan s gain. Germany's offensive had up to then gone well. There is no evidence that a Japanese attack on Russia is imminent, hut preparation for such an attack has been made. . One reason for the strange reversal of the German propaganda machine, . which has. been pouring out talk of woe j with blood and tears as the constant theme, is probably to impress Japan with the belief that unless she attacks Russia Germany will be beaten, leading Japan to a similar fate. AMERICAN INCOME TAX (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 13 The House Ways and Means Committee voted to-day to lower personal income tax exemptions from 750 to 500 dollars for single persons and from 1500 to 1200 dollars for married people. The present exemption of 400 for dependants is unchanged. No new tax rates were adopted. The United Press correspondent said the committee's action was not expected and indicated that income tax rates will not be materially increased and that the war sales tax will probably he discarded. EXECUTION OF BELGIANS (R«cd. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON. May 13 The Berlin radio said a court-martial at Ghent passed the death sentence on seven Belgians. Two have already been executed They were regarded as responsible for bombs which exploded durlng the departure of volunteers to the eastern front.