RUSSIANS CAPTURE ODESSA

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22320, 11 April 1944, Page 3

RUSSIANS CAPTURE ODESSA

VICTORY SALVO FROM GUNS SOVIET TROOPS DRIVE BEYOND CITY NEW OFFENSIVE IN CRIMEA OPENED • LONDON, April 10. Odessa has been captured by the Russians, who have already driven 10 miles to the south-west of the city. The victory was marked by 12 salvoes of 120 guns of the Black Sea fleet and 36 salvoes of 444 of Moscow’s guns. The Russian National Anthem was broadcast from England. The falsity of the German claim to have “evacuated” Odessa is made clear by Marshal Stalin's communique, which says that the city fell to a skilful outflanking manoeuvre, combined with a frontal attack. Odessa is the third largest town in the Ukraine and the greatest Black Sea port. Before the war it had a population of 600,000. It is pointed out in London that the main hope of escape of the powerful .enemy garrison in Odessa has for some time been the precarious sea exit to Rumania, but the German’s shipping resources are scanty and the Russian Black Sea Fleet and air force have for long menaced this route. The Russians have thrust 48 miles into Rumania. Among many places captured today were Suceara and another place only five miles from lasi.

The opening of a new offensive in the Crimea was announced today. The Russians have attacked and made good progress on the Perekop isthmus and the region of Kerch.