The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-06-15
Opening Stages of Real
Offensive on Russia Is
Approaching Climax
SEVASTOPOL PLACED
in SERIOUS JEOPARDY
Russians Fighting Toe to
Toe With Foe; Hitler Is
Hurting Massed Forces
BY LOUIS F. KEEMLE
(Of the United Press War Desk

The increased tempo O.
the fighting in southern
Russia is a further indica-
ton that the Germans intend
to make their main drive
this summer against the Cau-
casus. The present fierce as
Saults in the Kharkov re,
gion and on Sevastopol look
like the opening stages of
that offensive, which is far from
being in full swing yet. Until the
Germans do open the full attack,
which ought not to be long delayed,
there can be no possible inkling Of
how Russian resistance Is going to
fare this summer.
The fall of Sevastopol or local
advances around Kharkov will not
have much meaning. The KharkDv
drive presumably is to straighten,
the German line and rectify the
damage caused by Marshal Seynon
Timoshenko in his May offensive
The Germans possibly are aiming al
establishing q strong line along the
Donets river preliminary to the big
push, which would be southwark to-
wards Rostov from Kharkov and
eastward towards Rostov from the
Taganrog area on the Sea of Azov.
The German effort to take Sevas-
topol at such heavy cost could
hardly be explained unless it is
part Of a Black Sea- Caucasus cam.
paign. Less than month ago an
American military authority ex-
pressed the view that the Germans
would bypass Sevastopol and 60
after more important detectives.
After nearly eight months of siege
the Germans have made the Black
Sea Naval base of little practical
value to the Russians. They have
decisive air supremacy in that area
and the Russian fleet has been OBJ
liged to use indifferently equipped
bases at the eastern end Of the
Black Sea, such as Batum.
Must Remove SevastOpOI
But if the Germans are going to
push eastward towards the Caucasus
from Kerch, in conjunction with the
Rostov drive farther north, it would
be eXpedient to remove SeYastopoI
as threat In the rear. TO keep the
strongly fortified base immobilized
would require air forces, troops and
artillery needed elsewhere. The
desperate effort the Germans are
making indicate the importance
they attach to wiping out the de-
tenders.
A German drive for the Caucasus
oil is strongly indicated as q mat
er of military expediency. First, the
Germans need the oil, particularly
the lubricants. Secondly, its loss
would be keenly felt by the Russian
armies, 1t is possible, but doubtful
that the Russians have developed
their oil resources In the Ural re-
glon sufficiently TO keep them going
for any long time,
Possession of the Caucasus Mlag
would strike heavy blow % RUS
sia's route for allied supplies
through Iran. This operation would
be directly linked With an attack
IN the Murmansk area to cripple the
Arctic supply route,
The latter attack seems 10 be
developing, Judging from German
troops concentrations IN the KaFes
liam area OF Finland and the re-
mansk
So, while Il Is impossible yet 10
guess the pattern Of the summer
pampaign accurately, there are
strong signs that Il win he waged
IN full fury from the Arctic 70 the
Black Sea, with the MuFmansk ares
and the Caucasus the most impQFr
Continued Oh Page n