PLOESTI OILFIELDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25499, 31 March 1944, Page 3

PLOESTI OILFIELDS

STATE OF SIEGE' PROCLAIMED LONDON, March 29. A state of siege has been proclaimed in Ploesti, says Moscow radio, quoting a Tass Agency report. The Germans have replaced the entire Rumanian administration, including technical personnel. Several large S.S. detachments have arrived to guard the oilfields. The Germans are hastily removing all oil stocks from the Ploesti area. An eastern front will become inevitable in the next few days, states Berlin radio. “We had to yield further territory yesterday in face of considerable Russian superiority in men and materials. All Russian attempts to hamper German movements, however, were frustrated by the superb discipline of our troops and Rumanian allies. Eveiy withdrawal was carried out in perfect order. Our troops are not confining their operations to defence only, but are also counter-attacking.” The latest information about the Rumanian Army suggests that seven divisions of about 8000 men each are in the Crimea, comprising three mountain. one cavalry, and three infantry divisions. The cavalry division is known to have suffered heavily at Kerch. The Rumanians also have four or five infantry divisions between the River Bug and the Dniester, one of which was badly mauled in the Kher-son-Nikolaev retreat. In Moldavia there are five more Rumanian divisions, probably deficient in heavy artillery. West of Galatz there are about 13 Rumanian divisions making up some 18. totalling 150,000 men. inside Rumania. To these can be added about 50.000 non-divisional troops and 150.000 recruits. Military police and other auxiliaries will bring the total in Rumania to about 350.000. The total Rumanian Army inside and outside Rumania probably numbers about 400,000 men.