The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-12
Nazi Push Not Launched Along Whole 1900 Mile
 Front in Russia RUSSIANS RESISTING
 EVERY GERMAN MOVE l,25O,OOO Nazi Forces Have Been Thrown Into
 Smash for Oil Fields
BY JOE ALEX MORRIS United Press Foreign EditOrl

(Unlted Press Foreign EdttOfl
 Adolf Hitler's summer of- fensive in Russia appeared to be underway today on the narrow Kerch Peninsula of the Crimea with the rich oil fields of CaucaSia as the Ger man goal. The Germans ap- peared to have been hurled back at most points with severe losses, however, and the Berlin radio admitted that numerically superior" Russian forces stood in the path of the drive.
 There was nothing to indicate that Hitler was unleashing his drive all along the 1900 mile front but communiques of both the German and Red Army high commands made 1t apparent that the first blows of the NaziS long -heralded big push were being struck. Best troops of the Russiars and Germans were locked in the struggle, which may be decisive in the course of the entire gloloal war. Early reports indicated that tho Germans were making small and slow headway.
 Hitler threw large formations Of planes and what the Nazi high command called "new and improved weapons" into the onslaught. Ber- lin said the battle was in full Swing' while Moscow told of fierce and stubborn Soviet resistance.
 Drive Anticipated
 It had been anticipated in Allied military quarters that Hitler's big drive would begin in the Crimea - because the tropical conditions there are more favorable to sprirQ operations than on the flood- SWol- len central and northern fronts and because he urgently needs the oil of Caucasia.
 Today's communiqueS reported only a German drive eastward along the Kerch Peninsula, toward the Kerch Strait, linking the Sea or Azow and the Black Sea, and the city of Kerch from which the Ger mans were driven last December. However, it was believed that a simultaneous Nad drive might be launched on the northern shore of the Sea of Azow, aimed at Rostoy.
 If the Germans are able to cross the Kerch strait without delay and another drive pushes eastward to the north upon ROstov the south ern Red armies of Marshal Tino shenko might be encircied.
 The commander of the German drive was not disclosed in Berlin but 1t was reported recently that Marshal Erwin Ronnlei, leader of the GeFlnan-Italian armOred forces in the Libyan desert, had been sum- moned to Berlin and given charge of the crimean preparations.
 By striking now Hitler may lave achieved a tactical advantage. He undoubtedly sought to get his CEimean drive well underway be- fore the end of the spring fl0ode on the central and northern frons6 enable the Russians to seize tie full initiative there, Thus allow ing him to throw his best troops and equipment in ti'e effort in the south.
 Some Allied reports indicated that Hitler intends to make an all~0nt ef- fort against the Caucasus with J,,- 100000 to l,250.0 Of his best tn00ps, meanwhile attempting to hold bls northern positions stations stafiopy RFy with 100000 to 3,00o 000 men
 The GeUnen radio, describing the KeHeb assault as "tlle first great ef, fenslVe operation since the wintN pRnlpaiga," said lt would ''nF0W that the Germans need no eaAv V achieve victory,
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