The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1943-05-06
DIARY OF The WAR

attacks, losing two hills. American
and French troops gained slightly It
looked like the whole Axis Tunisia
line was stiffening. Germans said a
Soviet offensive in Caucasus was
thrown back, but Reds failed to men
ton it, British airmen carried out
minc-laying operations in Baltic and
bombed Nazi naval base. Russian
bombers were in East Prussia. Allied
planes were over continental Europe.
American planes raided Naples and
the port Of Messina in Sicily Navy
disclosed heavy assault on Jap air
base on Tarawa in Gilbert island
group, on flank of main Jap island
Notifications. Chinese and Jap fight
ing was mdecisive
SATURDAY - Axis fighters were
counter-attacking all along Tunisian
line with enemy tanks and infantry.
Fighting was bloody. Navy was keep
ing watch on Martinique as U. S.
cut off food supply there until tie with
Vichy is ended. Gains in Caucasus
were disclosed by Soviets T. s. patrol
plane destroyed Jap sub off Aleutians.
More Pacific help was being sought
by Senator Wheeler A Japanese gen
eral was limiting at new operations,
having declared they had completed
,+ro+orio l,ocoe - co,+b,roe+ Doo;f;n
SUNDAY - L. S. planes raided
continent after Raj bombed Essen.
British lost Is planes. American
soldiers in Tunisia, with fixed bayo-
nets, captured two strategic hills. Ar
tillery was Smelling Mateur Allies
caught concentration Of enemy ships
in straits of Sicily, sinking seven and
hitting others. A coast guard cutter
sank Il German U-boat off Carolina
coast. Sweden declared Hitler was
having tough time manning his Eu-
ropean fortress, using young and very
old men. A new spirit of optimism was
sweeping over Russia in response to
Stains May Day order in which he
praised Allied raids on Germany.
Planes started two large fires on Jap
base at Kieta in Solomons group and
bombed other areas. Burma docks and
yards were targets for Americans
based in India.
MONDAY-Alliedo offensive in Tu-
nisia was at temporary standstill but
French General Gilaud predicted de-
feat Of enemy there by end of month
Americans and French continued with
slight success and capture of 600
prisoners. Russians said the 800
mile eastern front was stirring with
new activity. Soviet newspapers were
referring to valiant "Anglo-American
aviation" as putting fear into Hitler
for their active operations over the
continent. American bombers raided
Nazi sub base and lost Z. Raj
bombed industrial targets. L. S.
planes made two more attacks against
Jap installations at Kiska, and others
raided Jap bases in Solomons area.
Bombers and fighters ranged over
Burma. 1t was reported 125, 5000 tons
of Jap ships had been sunk by subs.
ISDAY-Americans took Ma
teur in surprise 14-mile push, an i'm
portant Axis stronghold and rail
center. French and American troops
were within IS miles Of Bizerte
Planes continued to bomb retreating
Axis troops. Infantry seized two i'm
portant hills west Of Mateur to make
city's capture possible. A new Ger
man stand was held likely on hills
east Of Mateur Soviet guns were
pounding Nazis in Caucasus while
bombers kept up operations all along
the front to thwart Nazi plans for an
offensive. Raj planes swept over
France and Holland, losing | bomb
ers. U. s. planes raided Kiska 10
times in single day, tearing holes in
runway Of Jap airfield. Munda in
south Pacific was also hammered,
along with other Jap points.
WEDNESDAY - Allies drove to
within heavy artillery range Of Biz
erie and menaced dock area there.
Hitler seemed about to lose another
bridgehead-his narrow Judgment in
western Caucasus about Black sea
port of Novorossisk as Nazis admitted
retirement there. Heavy continued
air action was reported in that sector
Navy disclosed that forces occupied
Russell islands along flank of Guadal-
canal. U. S. subs sank six more Jap
ships, two Of them destroycrs. Nazis
acknowledged the prospect Of Allied
invasion Of Europe so imminent it
might bypass Tunisian bridgehead.
They said Allies already had men and
boats ready for the blow American
flying fortresses bombed Antwerp in
daylight attack with all bombers re-
turning, Allies in South Pacific made
heavy daylight attack on Jap base at
Babo, Dutch New Guinea.
THURSDAY-Allies reached near
approaches of Bizerte in Tunis
and were only ten miles away. The
American column beyond Mateur was
within five miles of Ferryville, site
of some outlying naval works. French
forces around Pont du Fahs were
going forward and British Eighth