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VOL. LIV No. 43
ANN ARBOR, MLCHIGAN, -RIDAY, DEC. 31, 1943
PAWSE flyECENTS
Marines Ca
Russians Surge
Forces 44 Miles from,
Pre-War Poish Border
German Divisions Fall Prey To Blunder;
Ukrainian Army Smashes Through Line
y The Asspiated Press
LONDON, Dec. 30.-Th Red Army pursued the scattered remnants of
22 Nazi divisions-perhaps 300,000 men--through a 185-mile breach in the
heart of the German eastwall today, capturing 300 more communities for
y seven-day total of 1,300 and seing ,cQlulnns to within 44 miles of the
pre-war Polish border ad 90 miles of the Dniester River, the frontier of
Rumania.
The First Ukrainian Army surged westward through the greatest
breach ever smashed in a German defense line, and official Russian an-
nouncements and press dispatches'
from Moscow indicated that the Ger-
man Command had fallen victim to
a great strategic blunder-its recent
unsuccessful counteroffensive toward T
Kiev-and now was paying with a A rrive io
defeat rivalling that at Stalingrad.
Capture of Kazatin, 15 miles below Lond ontPa'le
Berdichev, left the Germans only oneY
trunk railway from Poland to supply
their entire southern Ukraine force. Plans for Allied Drive
In addition to the smashig victory On, Western Europe
west of Kiev,- a oscow communique
said, the Russians captured 0 more I Formative Stages
poulated places in their; two-day-old
bffenlve west of Zapor6zhe in the LONDON, Dec. 30.-(IP)-Invasion
Dnieper Bend. Far to the north in headquarters of General Dwight D.
the Vitebsk area.of'White Russia'the Eisenhower were being made ready
Soviet Baltic Army captured several tonight for his early *arrival, and
iore populated places. fateful conferences of the high com-
The Red Army, which has now a w e dt g h
driven half-way from ,Stalingrad to rand were expected to begmnwithin
Berlin since the turning point of -the a short time..
war a year ago, has virtually engulf- Intense Planning Is Started-
edZhibmir and Berdichev and is ad- It is apparent that 1944 will scarce-
vancng eyon thm twar Polnd y begin before General "Ike" has his
and Rumania. One of the towns command complete and the intense
captured was' Chervonarm eisk, 44planning of the forthcoming action
miles. from the' pre-1939" Polish bord- satd
r.One gap in the invasion command
" .: not' yet filled is the field commander
Br rtish of the American armies, the counter-
part of Gen. Sir Bernard L. Mont-5
gomery, who already has been named,
Is, B eu gugCrUseato lead the British 'ground forces.
This selection is expected to be
announced shortly and speculation
-n.London was that the choice is be-
tw an LTtY-e1nV Mark W_ Clark- Al
pture
New
Britain
Airdrome
Through Nazi East Wall
Berlin Is Next Stop for Plane Being Laden with Bombs
Jap Defenses Crack
At Cape Gloucester
Aerial Bomibarcdment, Fiame Trlowers
Used To Clear Out Enemy Pillboxes
By The Associated Press
ADVANCE ALLIED HEADQUARTERS, New Guinea, Dcc. 31-Hard-
hitting United States Marines have cracked stubborn Japanese defenses to
capture the vital airdrome at Cape Gloucester, New Britain.
The Leathernecks' final assault put them in full possession of the two
air strips at noon yesterday, just four days and a few hours after their
Sunday's invasion landing at Borgen Bay.
Details of the final hours of the battle were meager, but Gen. Douglas
MacArthur's communique announcing the victory said that "following an
Allied Troo
Path
opts
to,
C0
*1 '
I U~assiii
d
B LO CK. B U S T E R--Through, open bomb bay doors of a Lancaster soiewhere in"Englandground
'crew members load a 4.000-pound block buster for delivery to Der Fuehrer's capital city--Berlin.
, a, ,'.
LONDON, Dee. 30.-( )-The Royal
Navy, which brought its most: suc-
cessful war year to 'a climax with the
sinking of the - German battleship
Scharnhorst and three Nazi destroy-
ers, is being employed;In increasing-
force in the ,Pacific, the Admiralty
said tonight in a revewof 1943 op-
erations.
Among significant :1943 develop-
ments the review listed:
Unchallenged domination of the
Mediterranean was regained with
surrender of the Italian battle fleet.
The mid-Atlantic air-cover gap in
the convoy routes was bridged by the
use of small aircraft-caried escorts'
and the acquisition of bases in the
Azores.
New methods. were devised for es-
cort ships, making U-boat packs "the
attacked rather than the attackers."
Penetration of Alten Fjord in Nor=-
way by British midget submarines
Which severely damaged the German
battleship Tirpitz.
More than 100 enemy ships, ex-
clusive of the Scharnhorst and three
destroyers sunk this week, were sunk
or damaged during the year, :the re--
view stated.
Groundwork Laid.
By Education Study
After hearing Dr. Alexander G.
Ruthven point out the need for im-
mediate action in the educational
field, the State Public Education
Study Commission yesterday pledged
to "take the initiative" in laying
groundwork for post-war adult ed-
ucation in Michigan.
The Study Commission, which end-
ed its three-day session here yester-
day, agreed to become a counseling
agency for educational planning.
Dr. Ruthven, who recently return-
ed from England where he made a
survey of educational facilities, as-
serted that some concerted action in
education should be taken to prepare
for returning veterans and civilians.
The 24-member commission recom-
mended that Governor Kelly seek a
school aid appropriation of $50,000.
for the next fiscal year. The group
We Cl -i. Mu . . t, m
present commander of the Fifth
Army in Italy, and Lt.-Gen. Omar N.
Bradley, commander of the Second
Army Corps, with Clark considered
the more likely..
Armies Ready for Rush
It was considered probable that the
American and British military lead-
ers might be joined in some of .their
conferences by Russian representa-
tives.
Training of the invasion forces has
been under way for some time and
staff organizations are believed prac-
tically complete. Both infantry and
armored forces have been at work on
secret maneuvers and naval and air
forces .earmarked for the invasion
are in the last stages of preparations.
Britain, as a matter of fact, is be-
coming one gigantic operations base.
Vandenberg Ce iiden
Of Swift Reconversion,
LANSING, Dec. 30.-(AP)-U.S. Sen-
ator Arthur H. Vandenberg (Rep.-
Mich.) expressed confidence today
that Congress will be able to give
American industry "reasonable re-
assurance" within 90 days that de-
mobilization of industry from a war-
time basis and reconversion to full
peacetime production "will be pos-
sible on a practical, swift and effec-
tive basis."
The success of federal studies on
reconversion, Vandenberg declared,
"will determine the economic destiny
of the United States for the next 50
years."
Union, officials.
Charge Delay in
Railway Ditspute
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.--(P)-
Chiefs of the three railroad unions
who cancelled. strike authorizations.
only ater government seizure of the
nation's railroad system accused the
Administration tonight of delay and
mishandling of the wage dispute.
The joint statement was issued by
top,officers of the firemen, conduct-
ors and switchmen shortly after the
War. Department declared that it
could not return the railroads to pri-
vate management as it desired be-
cause at least two of the unions had
merely postponed their strike can-
cellation orders for the period of gov-
ernment control rather than cancel
them.
Unions Also Scored
They also charged that two other
operating brotherhoods, who capi-
tulated first, had struck them "a stab
in the back."
The statement disclaimed any re-
sponsibility for the taking over of the
carriers, and asserted that "for five
days we and other responsible repre-
sentatives of our unions were waiting
for some representative of the Ad-
ministration to make. some: move in
the direction of an adjustment."
The War Department identified the
unions as the Brotherhood of Loco-
motive Firemen and Enginemen,
headed by David B. Robertson, and
the Order of Railway Conductors,
headed by Harry W. Fraser.
Strike Orders Recalled
With the Switchmen's Union, the
two brotherhoods only last night re-
called the strike orders for today. The
17 other unions called off their sche-
duled strike earlier and the War De-
partment stated it had not ascer-
tained whether the switchmen head-
ed by Thomas C. Cashen, had can-
celled or postponed their strike or-
ders.
LONDON, Friday,. Dec. 31,-(/P)--
A record force of approximately
1,5001American planes blasted targets
in southwest Germany yesterday as
its part in possibly the mnost sus-
tamned air assault of the war which
saw at least.3,000 British and Ameri-,
can war planes over Germany and
occupied territory, in the past 24
hours.
The American daylight attack yes
terday, which also set a record 'for
the deepest penetration y. ecorting-
fighter planes, some of 'which flew,
the entire "1,100 mile round-trip;
came a few hours after RAP night
raiders dealt Berlin a shattering new
2,240-ton blow.
A joint U.S. Eighth Air Force-Air.
Ministry communique issued early
today said that 23 German fighters
were destroyed while the American
force lost 22 bombers and 12 fighters
for a total of 34 planes, in fights
raging across France into Germany.
Blasting their targets through
clouds the American Fortress and
Liberator airmen employed . once
more a remarkable new navigation
Local Army Meng
Place in Contest
Lt. Samuel Riesman, commanding
officer of Co. G, Sgt. R. B. Mathews,
Army Headquarters, and Pvt. Steven'
B. Smart Jr. of Co. E have received
personal letters from Maj. Gen. Hen-
ry S. Aurand of the Sixth Service
Command.
These letters said that the sugges-
tions which these men sent in to Chi-.
cago in the Think To Win contest
were outstanding and meritorious.
The suggestions made by the three
men were forwarded to Washington,
D.C. for approval and consideration.
BOMB THROUGH CLOUDS:
Southwest Germany Blasted by
Record Force of 3,000 Planes
instrument which permits t e bom-
bardiers =to hit targets they an'tsee.
A dispatch from ' its Stpckhoqm
correspondent to the Lond4rn Daily
Express said'that WedniesdaTnight's
blow through the clouds - at Berlin
was a triumph for the'-RAF's "tele-
vision" bombsight enabling allied air
forces to do accurate. bombing:
through clouds and in darkness.
In tlb official Army announce-
ment the 'armada of Fortre ses and
Liberaters ith their 'hunreds'-of
supporting fighters was described as
a "task-force," apparently td under-
line. the magnitude of the oper.ation.
Specific targets hit -were n4 Imme-
diately announced.
RAF .reviews
Allied :Air War
LONDON, Dec. 30.- (R)-The Allies
have achieved air superiority in every
theater of the war and sent planes on
the offensive all around the world,
the RAF announced today.
In a review of the aerial war of
1943 Britain's air arm said 'the year's
fighting produced these victories and
accomplishments in various fields of
operation:
(1) Nine of Germany's 2f major in-
dustrial cities with populations ;of
more than 250,000 each have' been "so
seriously devastated that in all pro-
bability they have been forced for
some time to consume more than they
produce."
(2) Many more U-boats lave been
destroyed by the Coastal Command in
1943 than in the three previous years
together. The whole of the'North At-
lantic is now covered by shore-based
aircraft, the report said.
(3) Magnificently complete air
support was given Allied ground forc-
es in Africa and Southern italy.
Victorious Canadian
Forces Pass Ortona;
San Vittore Blasted
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS, AL-
GIERS, Dec. 30.-UP)-American
troops fought through the streets of
the demolished village of San Vittore
today, blasting out a path to the stra-
tegic city of Cassino on the main in-
land highway .to Rome, while victor-
ious Canadian forces pressed on be-
yond Ortona on the Adriatic coast
to within nine miles of Pescara.
San Vittore, on the southern base
of Mt. Sammucro six miles'from Cas-
sino,.was reduced to rubble by a ter-
rific ,Ameican artilery bombardment
yesterday before Lt. Gen. Mark W.
Clark's' infantry left' itS foxholes and
charged into the village. 'An Amei-
can patrol previously had penetrated
into its; streets, only to be driven out
by fiercely resisting Nazis.
The Nazis also are strongly .en-
trenched in caves and dugouts on
s1hes n ,rth of '1ah Vitto'e; as welt
as on a ridge east of the town, and it
is a slow, costly process to dig them
out. This is believed to be the ene-
my's, last powerful outpost before
Cassino, which is 70 miles from Rome
on the Via Casilina.
Canadian troops in the two days
since; Ortona's. fall .had swept across
a wide area west of the town and
were reported approachin'the valley
of ,the little _Tesore : River. Infantry
was pushing along the coastal road to
Pescara, while tanks cut across coun-
try, .The:.Nazis rearguard made one
brisk stand a mile outside Ortona,
and enemy long range artillery shell-
ed the Canadians throughout the
cold day.
Rationed Goods
To Be Released
By The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.-Civilian
consumers got a peek at the official
1944 rationing calendar today and
prospects looked good for a greater
abundance of some foods and home
appliances.
While the new year predictions
from various government agencies
indicated even greater scarcity of
some goods, they assured the first
important resumption of civilian
manufacturing since the war started.
The War Production Board au-
thorized manufacture of 2,000,000
electric irons and 50,000 bathtubs in
1944-the first since early 1942 when
production was stopped to preserve
short supplies of strategic metals.
The Office of Price Administration
removed canned green and wax beans
and a number of frozen fruits and
vegetables from rationing in Janu-
ary. Point values were lowered on
canned tomatoes and peas.
Co. B-2 Engieer,
To Leave for OCS.
A corps of six engineers of Co. B-2
will leave today for OCS at Fort Bel-
voir, Va.
They are Pfcs. Robert L. Herbst,
James McKeown, Robert Minshull,
Robert Reisdorf, Paul H. Van Wert
and Richard G. Widman.
Five men will leave on January 4
forw ifa~tjv,',- ~, hwr1 ~'~at lr Thnnino'_
Halsey Says Yanks Are
Ready in South Pacific
intense air preparation our ground
forces took the positions by assault."
A headquarters spokesman said an
air assault on two successive days had
softened up the line of Japanese pill-
boxes for the Marines, who used
flame throwers to clear out strong
positions which survived aerial bomb-
ing.
Hundreds of Japs Killed
"Many hundreds of Japanese dead
are in the area," the spokesman said,
adding that American losses were
"slight."
Supported by artillery and air
bombardment, the American forces
expanded their general landing areas
Tuesday, unhampered for the first
time by enemy air action. Our
bomber and attack planes had again
attacked the enemy's bases at Rabaul,
Gasmata and Cape Hoskins; all on
New Britain, effectively pinning down
his airforce.
Only two enemy reconnaissance
planes were reported'-over' the' 1tru
cester area Tuesday.
Japs May Withdraw
Again there were 'significant indi-
cations of a Japanese withdrawal
from Bougainville Island, their last
major stronghold in the Northei'n
NEW YORK, Dec. 30.-(iP)-Ad-
miral William F. Halsey,; American
Commander in the South Pacific,
says in a New Year's message to the
home front that "never have we'hieln
ready to strike killing blows in so
many places, simultaneously.
"We propose to strike these blows
again and again."
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Solomons. Fred Hampson, Associ-
ated Press War °Corresporidont, e
ported that Marine Corps pilots re'-
turned to their Solomons bases with
stories of spotting "and attacking' en-
enly, .barge trafic off.. the northern
coast of Bougainville.
Kieta Shelled
Adding emphasis ,to these reports
was a daring operation by American
warships which on Monday shelled
the important enemy air and ship-
ping base of Kieta, half way up the
coast on- the eastern -side-of -Bet-
gainville. It was the first time those
combat vessels had penetrated that
area. The action evidently was in-
tended to speed any enemy retreat
and break up forces that may have
been ;Iconcentrated there from the
southern area.
FBI To Hold
Parley Here
r
KING'S WARNING TO JAPS:
All-Out Offensive in Pacific Planned for 1944,
The FBI will hold a conference
which will deal with coordinating po-
lice and war activities at 7 p.m., Jan.
12, in the Rackham Auditorium.
John S. Bugas, formerly head of
the Detroit FBI office will serve as
chairman for the open session. Mov-
ing pictures concerning police acti-
vities in wartime will open the con-
ference. These will be followed by
registration and meeting announce-
ments.
L. C. Knox, Chief of the Wayne,
Mich., Police 'Department and state
commander:of the American Legion,
will discuss "American Legion Law
Enforcement Agencies." Jerry MC-
Safety, "of the Detroit Police Depart-
ment, will talk on "Practical Educa-
tion in Traffic Safety." "Selective
Service will be taken up by H. B.
Hove, a special agent for the FBI.
This will be followed by an open for-
um discussion led by Mr. Bugas.
The public and state law enforce-
ment officers are invited.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.-({')-
A tremendous offensive against Ja-
pan is planned in 1944, it was made
clear today' by Admiral Ernest J.
King who said the United Nations
will begin shifting their power from
the Atlantic to the Pacific theater
even before the final defeat of Ger-
many.
many next year may be expected
and, meantime, "unremitting pres-
sure on Japan will be continued
and increased."
2. Strategy for the defeat of Ja-
pan and the "main lines of attack"
have been determined. The means
for carrying out this strategy will
be available with transfer of power
threatened, launch offensive opera-
tions in 1944.
"I don't quite see how they are
going on the offensive where they
are in contact in the Pacific," he
said. "What they may do in China,
Manchuria, or even Burma is some-
thing else."
The Navy, King said, would like
nothing better than to get the Ja-
"The Germans don't tell us very
much," King said. "We know they
have the carrier Graf Zeppelin but
'they don't tell us much what kind
of shape it's in. There's the remot-
est possibility that it might get out
but it is so remote I hope th.t it
will not be given serious considera-
tion.
"To the best of our knowledge