ROLE OF FLEET

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24875, 22 April 1944, Page 7

ROLE OF FLEET

SEBASTOPOL SIEGE NAVAL UNITS LAND NAZI LINES BOMBABDED AIR ABM LAYS MINES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Reed. 11.15 P.m.) LONDON, April 21 The Black Sea Fleet is taking a big part in the struggle at Sebastapol, the last German stronghold in the Crimea. Naval troops have gone ashore to take part in the land fighting, and one Russian cruiser has gone inshore to bombard the German lines. At the same time, the Fleet Air Arm is patrolling the escape route of enemy shipping making for the Rumanian coast, and is striking by day. and night. Aircraft of the fleet have dropped mines as well as bombs and torpedoes. A Soviet communique says four enemy convoys were attacked and four transports were sunk, a.-, well as a torpedo boat and other small craft. Three' transports were damaged. The British United Press correspondent in Moscow says ten ships of considerable size have been sunk recently in Sebastopol [Tarhour. Defence Ring Broken The coal harbour at Sebastopol is now on fire, this adding to the pall of smoke which hangs over the city. The Ankara '.-radio states that Soviet troops have .broken the defence ring around Sebastopo! and penetrated the city, where street fighting is progressing. A late message from Moscow confirms tlm breaking of the street .defence ring. Fighting over tlie_ old Jnkerman Battlefield, crack Soviet shook troops are now preparing to storm the historic Malakov Hill, which proved to be the key to Sebastopol in two previous great sieges, says Renter's correspondent in Moscow. The Germans have strongly fortified the hill, which is the highest point overlooking the city. Army Split into Two Forces The Russian Army, advancing from Balaklava, has split into two forces, one of which is driving directly against the city, while the other, after storming the valley at the entrance to Cape ■ Khersones, is making for the airport about two miles south of Sebastopol. Its capture would enable the Red Air Force to unload bombs over the city as quickly as they could be brought up. The Germans seem to be determined to hang on until a substantial portion 'of the garrison escapes, but the Russians are no less determined to get the Germans as well as the port. German troops are gradually being driven into Sebastopol itself under relentless Russian pressure. The Germans, many of whom have not slept for nights, have -brought up armoured trains in a vain attempt to halt the Russians. One Russian division, under the command of a 29-year-old Siberian general, advanced ■ 37 'miles across mountains in 24 hours 1 without losing a single man or gun. "The curtain has gone up on the last act of the Crimean drama," says the Moscow radio. "A mighty artillery .barrage is smashing asunder the German defences, and the Sebastopol garrison is reeling back. Soviet tanks are j pushing through gaps, the main body 'of the Axis forces has already been .eliminated, and it will not be long the remaining Germans are killed or captured." NARVA RIVER BATTLE FLARE-UP IN NORTH RED ARMY HOLDS POSITIONS Peed. 6.10 p.m.) LONDON, April The Germans have attacked Russian positions on the Narva River, Estonia, and occupied a bridgehead on the west bank of the river. The Russians say they are holding their positions. A Soviet supplementary communique states: "After a 90-minute artillery preparation large forces of German infantry supported by tanks and self-propelled guns attacked Russian troops and occupied a bridgehead on west bank of .the River Narva.

"The Germans apparently expected to smash the Russians defences in one Wow, but Soviet troops met the attacking columns .with well-aimed r 'j? e > machine-gun, artillery and mortar fire and compelled them to retreat, lhe .enemy sustained heavy losses of men jand equipment. Russian troops are firmly holding their positions. Eighteen enemy planes were shot down during she day." Before daylight yesterday Soviet planes bombed an oil refinery in Estonia and two rail junctions in Latvia. They started large fires at all three objectives. PROLIFIC SUPPLIES ALLIED AID TO RUSSIA '(Herd. fj.lo p.m.) LONDON, April 21 The Black Sea fleet can put ships of all classes into the battle, but the enemy sias nothing bigger than destroyers supported by torpedo-boats and submarines. A Russian admiral states that British American weapons, _ particularly planes, are being used against the German?. at Sebastopol. NEW PANTHER TANK. LONDON. April 20 The Germans on the eastern front We now using a new 45-ton Panther t-ank, mounting an exceptionally long 75mm. high-velocity gun. The most striking feature of the tank is the verv 'song sloping front plate, giving the tank s streamlined appearance. This and Other features are evidently copied from Russian cruiser tanks. APOSTOLIC DELEGATE JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS ffiecri. 11.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 21 Six Archbishops, 20 bishops and representative Roman Catholics from all 'parts of Australia are attending: the silver jubilee celebrations of the Apostolic Delegate to Australia and New Zealand. His Excellency the Most Reverend Archbishop Panico. More than children attended a special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Panico todajr. (Visit;ng bishops and more than 400 Priests will assist on Sunday at Pontifical High Mass, to be celebrated by Archbishop Panico. Since the outbreak of war Archbishop Panico has devoted much time to work on behalf of Australian and New Zealand prisoners of war and internees. He organised an inquiry bureau at the Apostolic Delegation and_ through it Australian and New Zealand prisoners of war have been traced and .thousands of messages sent and re- j