ASSAULT ON CRIMEA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 October 1943, Page 3

ASSAULT ON CRIMEA

ANTICIPATED BY GERMANS SIGNS OF COMING RETREAT FROM GOMEL. ENEMY PLIGHT SERIOUS AT MANY POINTS. (By Telegraph- —Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, October 12. While the position of the German armies defending Gomel, on the Northern front, and Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, has become critical, the Berlin radio’s military commentator, Captain Sertorius, • declares that Marshal Timoshenko is preparing for a massive assault against the Crimea, across the Kerch Straits, and for landings at other points. The Germans also expect that any assault against the Crimea will be supported by a renewal of pressure on the Nogaisk steppe, to encircle the Crimea from the north. Captain Sertorius admits withdrawals between Gomel and the SmolenskMinsk highway, and adds that the fighting is approaching the town o f Gomel. Allied sources say there are the strongest indications that the Germans are preparing to evacuate Gomel. They are setting fire to buildings and destroying what they are unable to carry away. As the Russian army masses for the final assault, Russian guns and bombers have begun a softening up bombardment of German positions across the Soj River, while bombers are also pounding the escape roads westward. Correspondents point out that a Russian break through in this area area would seriously threaten all the German positions covering Minsk. The Russian drive west of Nevel is an even more serious threat. Captain Sertorius, while claiming that the Nevel push failed to attain its major objectives, admits that the Russians are fanning out north and south in an effort to roll up adjoining German sectors.