THREAT TO CRIMEA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1941, Page 5

THREAT TO CRIMEA

NO CONFIRMATION OF NAZI CLAIMS SOVIET AIR AND NAVAL STRENGTH. BASES WELL FORTIFIED. LONDON, September 18. There is no confirmation of German claims that the Crimea has been cut off, though it is thought in London that this is possible. • The military correspondent of the “News Chronicle,” examining the Criinean aspect of the Ukraine offensive, takes an optimistic view. He says that the chances of the survival of the Crimea are good. The air bases are magnificent, and the fortifications will make the invaders’ task extraordinarily hard. In addition, the land forces are backed by the great naval bases of Sebastopol, Novorossisk, and Batum, from which operates a Russian fleet comprising a battleship, five cruisers, four destroyer flotilla leaders, 15 destroyers, 40 submarines, and aircraftcarrier, and many torpedo-boats and minelayers. The Berlin spokesman said that the Luftwaffe bombed Moscow, Leningrad, and Odessa last night. AMERICAN PLANES DIVERTED FROM BRITAIN TO RUSSIA. LONDON, September 19. According to well-informed quarters in Washington, nearly 200 American fighter aircraft sent to Britain under the Lease-Lend Act have been sent to Russia. Most of them had already been delivered to Britain, but were still in their crates when the Russian request for aid was received. Britain forthwith agreed to the United States suggestion that they be sent to Russia. SOVIET REPORT (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.37 a.m.) RUGBY, September 19. The Russian High Command issued a communique last night stating: “Our troops have been engaged in fighting on the entire front. Particularly fierce fighting took place on the Kiev front. Our air force dealt heavy blows on enemy motorised troops, artillery and enemy aircraft at aerodromes.” PLANES & ARMS SUPPLIES GOING TO RUSSIA. ESTIMATED STRENGTH OF AIR FORCE. NEW YORK, September 19. Three hundred modern American warplanes have been flown to Russia from Britain. These are the first of what it is hoped will be heavy deliveries, depending on the United States output.

The Russian air force at the outbreak of war was estimated at 12,000 planes. It is now assumed to be 6000. A report received through Madrid states that scores of merchant ships loaded with arms for Russia and the Middle East are rounding the Cape of Good Hope en route to the Persian Gulf.