CRIMEA FIGHTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24275, 16 May 1942, Page 7

CRIMEA FIGHTING

GERMAN PRESSURE RED ARMY WITHDRAWALS CONFIDENCE OF DEFENDERS (Reed. 9.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 15 A Moscow communique admits further withdrawals by the Russians on the Kerch Peninsula, where the Germans claim that they are still pursuing the Red Army. The German offensive has penetrated below Akmanai, which is in the north-west corner of the peninsula, but it took their artillery four or five days to pound the Russian positions to bits, says the Stockholm correspondent of the Times. The receding of the Russian line, apparently about ten miles to the east, along the railway and main coast railway, does not mean that the front line, or anything similar, has been broken, because nothing like lines exist on the densely held and fortified Kerch Peninsula. The Russians apparently have 'not withdrawn from the whole of the more hilly parts in the south-east. The German High Command claims that the pursuit of the Russians is continuing after a break through on the Parpach line. It says that torrential rain is not much hampering the quick German advance. An American radio commentator broadcasting from Moscow says the battle of Kerch is as severe as any in this war. Both sides fully realise the importance of holding the peninsula, which is too narrow to permit largescale engagements. Although the Russians have withdrawn to new positions, they are full of confidence about the outcome. Russian guerillas operating from the Sebastopol fortress are giving the enemy a lot of trouble. In one area they have torn up railway tracks and blown up a German ammunition train. MILLIONS OF TROOPS LONDON, May 14 An Ankara message says Turkish military experts believe that the German forces in Russia consist of 20 to 25 armoured and mechanised divisions and 140 good calibre infantry divisions, making a total of about 3,000,000 men. In addition, there are 800,000 Rumanians, 250,000 Hungarians, 13 Italian divisions and 200.000 Finns. MORTAR GAS-SHELLS SCIENTISTS ANSWER ENEMY REGARDED AS POISON GAS -LONDON, May 14 As a sequel to the German attempt to differentiate between poison gas and nerve gas, prominent Swedish scientists and nerve specialists published a statement that any gas having a paralysing effect must be regarded as poison gas. The German military spokesman says that the poison gas which the Russians reported from the Crimea is probably emitted by mortar shells from a new "weapon." The shells emit poison gas, although the chemical substance has not actually been employed. VITAL WAR NEEDS BAUXITE FOR ALUMINIUM (Special Australian Correspondent) SYDNEY, May 14 Aluminium, a vital war need, will be manufactured in Australia if Government intentions are fulfilled. Intricate electrical machinery must be imported, but it is hoped soon to have this placed high on the list of priority imports from the United States. A report on Australian deposits of bauxite, from winch aluminium is made, has just been presented by the Commonwealth geologist, Dr. H. G. Raggatt. Extensive deposits exist in various parts of Australia. Bauxite occurs m various forms, often with a high percentage of iron content: Tn some places it is so common it is used extensively for road making, though few people are aware jf it. According to Dr. Raggatt. Australia possesses such heavy reserves that using bauxite for roadmg material does not matter. Several deposits are in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, and there are depoiit* ia Tasmania*