The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1943-03-25
DIARY OF The WAR


made their fourth foray into Germany
without escort to strike at Bremen
sub and shipbuildmg base, also shoot
ing up force Of IS to 100 Nazi fighter
planes. Russians captured additional
places on Smolensk front and were
repelling constant counter-attacks on
Kharkoy front u. S. bombers raided
Jap base on kiska island three times
and made other minor raids in South
Pacific. 1t was revealed by British
how a single fighter plane covered
entire Mediterranean sea area during
early part of war as the only air de-
Tense for the entire fleet.
SATURDAY-American troops in
central Tunisia drove on in two col
umns toward Gabes, 70 miles away
Sened, % miles northeast of Gafsa
was Immediately threatened. British
in north Tunisia had retired slightly
but Montgomery's army in south con-
tinued patrol action. 1t was bad day
for the Red armies in southern Rus
STA, Germans thrusting Is miles to
southeast of Kharkov and claimed re-
capture of Belgorod, above Kharkov
But Red offensive in center was roll
ing on. I. S. planes made two raids
on Naples, Italy and British subs
sank 7 supply ships in Mediterranean
Japs made strong counter attacks
against Chinese in Jupeh area and
fighting was resumed in Burma
around Akyab. American planes made
routine attacks on Jap positions in
Solomons American bombers bombed
German town northwest of Bremen
with heaviest load of bombs to date.
SUNDAY-Red lines southeast of
kharkov swayed before enormous
German pressure but a counter-attack
restored positions In north the Reds
Widened the bridgehead on upper
Dnieper river in advance on Smolensk
and annihilated battalion Of 800 men.
Both sides were claiming advantages.
L. s. forces were Tightening hold on
Gafso and Ell Guetar in central Tu-
nisia as heavy rains in north and dust
storms in south settled over entire
front 1t was revealed American para
chute troops led all other air-borne
soldiers into action inpNorth Africa
Rabaul was picked as the most likely
scene Of the next major skirmish in
Pacific. Fourteen trains in southern
Italy and northern Sicily were at
tackled in Raj sweeps from Malta.
MONDAY - Montgomery army
was on the move against Rommel CO.
ofdinated with T. s. drive American
forces seized Sened and pushed east
ward toward Maknassy, 20 miles far
Their along Gafsa -Mahares railway.
Allied planes were putting on an
aerial offensive against Rommel's
troops. Russians admitted evacuation
of Belgorod but claimed capture of
Fadino, rail hub 60 miles from
Smolensk. Germans continued to eX-
ert great pressure southeast of Khar-
kov. Nazi losses were declared heavy.
Navy reported L. s. dive bomber at
tacks on Villa in central Solomons
and 9th air raid on Munda. Hitler
in speech admitted destruction Of
German cities by air raids but
claimed final victory was on the way.
He said $4,000 German soldiers had
been killed thus far Stain last Feb
ruary estimated German war dead in
Russia alone at million. Churchill
warned it might take two more years
to crush Hitler but promised dust,
death and ashes" in the end. Alaska,
on defensive year ago, is now push
ing out offensive lines and area is
teeming with well-armed troops.
TUESDAY-The Mareth Line was
under heavy land and air assault by
Montgomery's troops which pushed
big wedge into Axis defenses. At the
same time American forces made a
twenty advance from Sened to
within sight of Maknassy. Germans
declared their troops were greatly out
numbered. Americans were 81 miles
from Mahares on sea and 70 miles
from juncture with Montgomery.
Americans captured l 400 Italians.
Russians stood on Donets river line
east and southeast of Kharkov
against continued attacks by masses
of German tanks and infantry re-
serves. Further north the drive on
Smolensk continued with more gains
for Russians American bombers bat
tered German naval base of Wilhelm
shaven Liberators from North Africa
hammered Naples, British from Malta
bombed Italy and Raj attacked targ-
cts in northern France. Macarthur
continued ceaseless hammering Of
Jap positions and shipping north of
Australia.
WEDNESDAY-British broke into
Mareth line on coastal flank after 30
hours of fighting to penetrate two
miles from coast At same time an
other line outflanked the line on it's
southern end, as American troops re-
captured and drove beyond Maknassy
in a drive to the sea to close a steel
trap on Rommel Americans were met
by heavy tank force. Many Axis
prisoners were being taken, mostly