The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-10-22

The German high command faced
the growing threat OF sneirclemont
on two major fronts today when
Allied forces moved 10 cut off the
Crimean garrison and kazi troops
sodth OF Rome.
As the Red army virtually encir-
cled German troops within the vital
rail city Of Melltopol which con-
trolls the approaches 10 the Crimea,
and drove to within 20 miles OF Ina
only other rail exit from that PEN
insula. the British Eighth Army
probed deeper into Nazl positions
In central Italy.
In Violent street fighting within
Melltopol. Soviet forces beat OFF
determined German relnforcements
TO seize the central part OF the city.
Nazi remnants hold only the north
ern portion OF the town. and al.
ready Russian advances have been
scored north aud southwest OF tho
city.
Begin Evacuation
The Cairo radio said the Germans
already have begun a 'lsrge-scals
evacuation" OF the Crimea. Al.
though this report was not imme-
dlateiy confirmed In official Allied
circles, another Berlin dispatch
added credeneo 20 IT,. The Nazi.
controlled Seandina Wan telegraph
bureau flashed 10 Stockholm tho
admission that the 3 situation IN tha
kremen Chug Dniepropetroysk sec.
tor Is extremely serious" aud pre-
dlcted further westward German
withdrawal to avoid encirclemenn
from the north.
In this latter section. the Rus
SLAMS captured Petroyo. 20 miles
from the North-South railway 10
NikolayeY and the Cgimea. Other
Soviet forces, meanwhile occupied
number OF inhabited localities.
including Chaplin, south OF Rechit-
sa and further extended bridge
heads north OF KieV. wreakng
heavy casualties upon the Nazis.
Threat Increases
The threat to German forces
south OF Rome was increased as
Gen. Sir Bernard l.. Montgomery q
veteran Eighth Army knitted north.
ward from Campobasso through
central Italy. Objective OF their
drive appears to be lsernis, some
20 miles TO the northwest. Fall OF
this city would force the Nazis ON
the west flank OF the Italian trans
psnnsular front TO drop back al
most TO the outskirts OF the eternal
city.
Opposite this western flank. 1t.
Gen. Mark W Clark's American
Fifth Army prepared TO launch an
about assault upon the new GER
man Line based on rugged Mount
Msssico.
RelnforcementS being brought
up to support the Fifth Army wers
hampered by numerous canals and
drainage bitches. American engi'
neers worked furiously to convert
the terrain for the swift passage OF
strong armored units.
German communication lines,
meanwhile, were subjected TO a
battering BY Allied airmen who
concentrated on key lines and
DTluktH III lle INOHe dlFds
Cope With Japs
In the Southwest Pacific, the
newly-launched Jap drive north OF
Finschhafen operated under air
cover. However. the Allied air
men appeared able 10 cope with
whatever force was put into the ar
there.
When six hghter-escorted Jap
bombers sought TO raid Australian
positions around the northeast New
Guinea supply base, Gen. Douglas
MacArthur's Interceptors shot
down four and probably the other
two bombers. as we'll as one OF the
enemy fighters. Only one Allied
plane was lost, but its pilot ives
saved.
Thirty Jap fighters caused" minor
damage and some casualties behind
the Aussie lines north OF Finsch-
hafen as fierce battling between
the Australian ninth division and
enemy Jungle troops continued.
Other Australian jungle fighters
pressed onward toward Madang,
port northwest Of Finschhafen, as
Allied airmen pounded Jap COM
munication lines in the BogadJm
area.
Enemy air strength at Wewak
on New Guinea. Kahili on Bougain-
vile in the Solomons, and Gasmata
on New Britain also was sspped
nv T-nifed Nations air raids which