STUBBORN FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1942, Page 3

STUBBORN FIGHTING

CONTINUED ON KERCH PENINSULA ENEMY CLAIM SPEEDILY MODIFIED. SOME DETAILS OF POSITION OBSCURE. LONDON, May 13. No official news of the fighting in the Kerch Peninsula conies from Russia today. The 8.8. C. commentator, in a special despatch from Moscow, states that stubborn fighting continues. The Russians as well as the Germans have been preparing for some such action as- this for months. The Russian Black Sea Fleet and the Air Arm are operating in close co-operation with the land forces. The fleet will undoubtedly play a big part in any future operations. It is stated that the Germans aim may be the occupation of the Kerch Peninsula as a necessary step preliminary to an attack on the mainland. Earlier today the Germans issued a special communique stating that fighting was at an end and that the Russian forces on the Kerch Peninsula, had been annihilated. It. was not long, however, before this sweeping claim was modified by a Berlin radio announcement that the battle continues. The commander-in-chief of the Russian Caucasus Army is reported to be bringing up fresh reinforcements. The Moscow radio said the enemy was massing his waning strength in the present struggle. The battle in the Kerch Peninsula was largely one of planes and tanks on a narrow front. The “Red Star” reports that the Russians have captured an important German position on the Smolensk front.