The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1943-07-15
DIARY OF The WAR

NlSlOHS were dSSStulJlIiS huSSldH lIllSS
on Kursk front, paying enormous toll
fer apparently trivial gains. Russians
claimed all positions were firm and
stated 10000 Germans had died ,539
tanks and GAO planes destroyed in
three days. American subs sank ten
more Jap ships in Pacific raising
score to 200 sunk, % probably and "a
damaged. American troops were with
in miles of Munda. Other troops on
New Guinea approached Salamaua,
capturing Observation Hill. Japs were
beset in Burma and China with fly
ers pounding detectives. In Medter
ranean a torrent of bombs fell on
Sicily and Sardinia, fullest fury on
Gerbini and it's five airdromes. Planes
met little opposition. Germans as
serted Allies were deployed and ready
to pounce on southern Europe.
SATURDAY - German offensive
shifted to northern end of Russian
front at Orel but with only slight
gains. Russians claimed destruction
of 1913 Nazi tanks and "a planes.
Cologne was hit with 1000 tons Of
bombs and Germans retaliated with
air raid over London. U. S. air force
in Britain was declared still amaz-
ngly small. Allied loss to subs was
declared lowest in June since L. S.
entered war Americans were pressing
nearer to Munda but held up by tor
rental rains. Pressure continued on
New Guinea. 1t was disclosed U. S.
would equip a French North African
army of 3 million. Allied aerial as
sault on Sicily continued without
letup. Japs struck again in Taiheng
hills against Chinese on Shansi-Honan
border.
SUNDAY-U. S. and British navies
were pouring troops and war equip
ment into Sicily after successful land
ings along 100 miles of coast with
small losses. Artillery was being put
ashore. Troops were aided by swarms
Of planes which attacked the air
dromes being used by the enemy
Axis reports were telling only of
fierce fighting. In Russia the battle
line swayed about Belgorod. Reds
were using tanks and artillery bril-
liantly against Nazi mechanical COL
umns American warship draws fire
from Jap guns on Kiska, revealing
battery positions. Yankee bombs were
paving way for land attack against
Munda, Jap base in Solomons. laps
claimed to have sunk six U. S. war
ships in New Georgia fight Allied
bombs hit German plants in Ruhr
valley and bases in France.
MONDAY-Allied troops and armor
drove into coastal plains and towns of
southeast Sicily along hundred mile
front, capturing three enemy air
dromes and holding four bridgeheads
Allied planes turned other airfields
into ash heaps, attacked Axis troop
movements and disrupted communi-
cations More than 1000 Allied YES
sells participated in invasion. Ameri-
can and British airborne troops helped
in opening assault. German offensive
on Russian front was stopped dead
after six days with wedges driven
into Russian lines under continuous
fire. In Pacific the Jap air base at
Munda was being strangled by Allied
men, guns and bombing planes, cut
ting Japs off from outside help. Amer
lean plans continued attacks against
Japs in Burma.
TUESDAY - General Montgomery
and British 8th army and other
strong forces raced forward from
captured Syracuse toward Catania
beyond which lies Messina, key to
whole Axis defense of Sicily. Nire
other major Sicilian towns and ports
fell along with Syracuse Patton and
his American troops were menacing
AXIS support to west Canadians
pushed ahead in center. A really great
battle was predicted SOON Allies took
5000 Axis prisoners. Allied fleet, still
unchallenged by Italian navy were
discharging men and supplies on the
island. Major task in conquest of Sic
lily still lay ahead, observers declared.
Axis planes were hitting at Allied
fleet off Sicily but only minor dam
age reported to warships Four Jap
cargo ships stealing toward Kiska
were attacked, two being sunk and
two damaged by U. S. Navy. Re-
grouped German armies butted the
Russian lines around Kursk at enorm-
Gus cost of men and material. Munda
was raided for third day and invasion
troops were said to be less than two
miles from airfield.
WEDNESDAY - British troops
landed within sight of Mt Etna, near
Catania to threaten that city half
way up eastern Sicilian coast toward
Messina. Augusta fell despite stiffen-
ing Axis resistance. U. S. troops
swept inland 20 miles to meet Brit
ish and Canadian armies to form
solid junction. Axis reinforcements
were being rushed from interior AL
lied planes swept on ahead to bomb
Messina, and several points on main