TOTAL OF NINETY SHIPS SUNK

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 189, 9 May 1944, Page 5

TOTAL OF NINETY SHIPS SUNK

Axis Black Sea Loss RUSSIANS INTENSIFY ATTACKS (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) LONDON, May 7. The Russians are gleefully, counting the number of “Dunkirk” evacuation ships trying to slip away from Sebastopol which the Red Air Force and Black Sea Fleet are destroying, says a British United Press correspondent. Ninety enemy ships totalling 115,000 tons have been sunk since the Crimea offensive 'began, and it is estimated that at least an equal number has been dam'’Reuter’s correspondent in Moscow reports that there has been a tremendous intensification during the past 48 hours of the attacks against the German convoys. Sevefal ships were sunk in Sebastopoi harbour itself, and several escape convoys were dispersed. Red Air Force light, bombers are now specializing in smashing the powerful anti-aircraft defences round Sebastopol harbour. i n The correspondent adds that tne on land continues, with the Germans still constantly probing in the Stamslavov region. The lull has resulted, in an intensification of guerrilla activity, specially in the Carpathians, the Ukraine and White Russia. . Today’s German communique states that the Russians at Sebastopol were supported on the northern sector by particularly strong artillery fire, and buttle planes continued their attacks, which were repelled, while local penetrations were sealed off. Latest Sinkings. A Russian communique states that no important changes occurred on the front. The Russians shot down 02 enemy planes on Friday. The Red Air Force on Thursday continued to strike against enemy ships in the Black Sea and sank a 3000ton transport and two patrol boats and seriouslv damaged twp other transports. Motor torpedo-boats of the Black Sea fleet routed a convoy west of Sebastopol. They torpedoed and sank three enemy transports totalling 7000 tons, besides two fast landing barges. Large forces pf Russian bombers in daylight yesterday bombed concentrations of German and Rumanian troops, defence installations, supply dumps and the aerodrome and port of Sebastopol. Four ammunition dumps were blown up and several ships damaged. Twenty-two Genmn planes were destroyed in combat and on the aerodrome.

A Russian supplementary communique reports that Soviet forces repelled Germans attempting to improve their positions south-east of Stanislavov. Rumanian officers and men taken prisoner or deserting to the Russians report that relations between the Rumanians and the Germans have sharply deteriorated recently and that armed clashes have occurred in several sectors.

Berlin radio claims tjiat Hungarian :roops occupied Pistyn.