Current Events May 14, 1942: NAZIS COMMENCE PLANNED SPRING OFFENSIVE:

Soviet Smashes at Gates of Karkov
Martinique Immobilizing' Warships

Long-Planned Offensive Takes
Advantage of Nazi Affray
In Crimea, Scores Big Victory
By HENRY C. CASSIDY
MOSCOW. May 14.—(AP)—The Red Army reported today
that it was smashing at the very gates of Kharkov, important
industrial center of the Ukraine, in a full-scale Spring offensive
coinciding with German preoccupation on the Kerch
Peninsula 380 miles to the south, where the Russians admitted
giving some ground. The attack on Kharkov, which the
Russians said already has
smashed through the first line
of German defenses, and was
hammering at the second, is
no mere diversionary action to
lessen the pressure on Kerch, but
is the real thing, all Soviet accounts
emphasized. Although it may have
that secondary effect, it has been
long and carefully prepared.
Masses of reserves who have been
training just behind the front have
gone into action for the first time,
and assembled tanks and artillery
are striking at the Germans after
pro-attack bombardment of Nazi
airdromes in the southwest zone, the
Russians said.

Three Air Raids
Hit Burma Japs
Americans, British,
Flying Tigers All
Blast Nippon Forces
NEW DELHI, May 14.—(AP)—While
veteran Chinese troops fought desperately
to check Japanese forces
pushing up the Burma Road into
Yunnan Province, American pilots
were reported today to be whittling
down the invaders' air power by
daring raids on their vital bases in
both Burma and Indo-China.

U.S. Ignoring
Vichy in Deal
On Neutrality
WASHINGTON, May 14. — (AP\ —
French warships at Martinique are
being immobilized, it was authoritatively
disclosed today.
The immobilization is being carried
out in co-operation between
French and American naval and
other officials on the spot.
Other important details of a comprehensive
solution of the problem
of French possessions in the Caribbean
are still being discussed, it was
said.