ASSAULTS ON SEBASTOPOL

Southland Times, Issue 24766, 10 June 1942, Page 5

ASSAULTS ON SEBASTOPOL

MORE INTENSE THAN EVER SOVIET FORTRESS STANDS FIRM (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, June 8. It is estimated that at least 130,000 Axis troops are attacking Sebastopol in a third attempt to roll down its defences. The Germans are attacking with undiminished violence. They massed quantities of siege artillery and other guns and then bombarded the Russian positions more intensely than ever during the heaviest attacks of the winter. Hundreds of German bombers were constantly active. Both sides have fighters up night and day. The Germans command many excellent airfields around Simferopol, from which they are operating strong forces of fighters and bombers. Sebastopol’s buildings and streets are badly knocked about but essential services are reported to be still normal. The civilians’ daily routine is largely underground, where they work and have schools ,canteens and newspaper offices. A Soviet communique states that stubborn fighting continues on die Sebastopol front where the Russian forces repelled the enemy, inflicting enormous losses. The German attacks are as much defensive as offensive in their nature since Sebastopol would be an invaluable bridgehead for any Russian operations in the Crimea. The Germans have an advantage in that they have sufficient airfields to mass planes against the fortress while the Russian airfields here are limited in number and in extent. But, if the Germans persist in their attacks the assaults will cost them dear. The base is heavily defended and the Germans are relying in part upon Rumanian troops who are not conspicuous either for good- morale or equipment. Sebastopol has its own underground arsenal which is working at full pressure. WORK OF RED FLEET Moscow radio in a special communique concerning the work of the Soviet Navy says that last week the Red Fleet in co-operation with the Air Arm of the Soviet Navy sank five enemy transports, one trawler, reven patrol vessels and two torpedo boats and also shot down a great number of enemy planes. In one encounter 15 German planes were shot down by the Baltic fleet. During another encounter four Soviet planes met four Heinkels, all of which were shot down. Soviet naval units are constantly inflicting losses on the enemy by shelling the shore forces.