The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1943-04-01
DIARY OF THE WAR

FRIDAY - American troops adj
vanced in Tunisia to gain control Of
the last mountain barrier to the coast
al plain and were encroaching upon
the German lifeline Axis units in
North Tunisia retreated to new posi-
lions. Allied planes had firm con-
troll Of African skies. In Russia the
Reds pushed toward Smolensk and
also threatened Novorossisk on the
Black Sea and stood firm on Donets
River banks. In the Pacific area Amer
lean planes kept pounding away at
jap positions General Chennault was
among twenty-thrce brigadiers raised
to Major Generals Raj planes raided
points in France, all returning safely.
SATURDAY-Russ forces cap
tured more villages south Of Belly on
approaches to Smolensk and out
! f1anked the Germans to cross river.
| In Ukraine the Reds said the tank
supported German infantry failed to
penetrate Russian positions along the
Donets River British Eighth Army
! inched slowly forward into Mareth
Line fortifcations. The power Of Rom
mel's counter attacks was reported to
1 be waning. U. S. forces continued to
/ threaten Axis flank. Secretary Knox
| revealed there were dozens OF small
but useful new aircraft carriers now
/ in combat areas. Gen. DeGaulle
pledged that he and Giraud would in
! sure a fighting union of all French
forces after a meeting in North Al
RIGA.
SUNDAY - Americans gained
ground in Tunisia, hitting the Fon-
douk area north of Maknassy, while
the British Eighth Army reported
making progress along Mareth line.
! There was evidence Of an Allied push
in north Tunisia also. The Red Army
maintained offensives' on three sectors
and fought unyielding defensive bat
! ties on another The Nazis were mass
inc for an attack in the Donets area.
The central Red drive was within 30
miles of SmOlensk. Raj bombers
pounded the Ruhr area, railway juno
tions, and other important Nazl
strongholds on the Continent. Allied
bombers struck at the Jap base at
Wcwak on north coast of New Guinea,
MONDAY-Alled offensive against
Axis rose to new pitch as British and
American ground troops made series
of assaults in Tunisia and Raj
bombers subjected Berlin to its sec
ond devastating blow in q days.
Rommel's position on Mareth line APP
peared all but hopeless. Montgomery
had swept around southern flank to
outskirts Of Ell HANNA, leaving Rom
mel only 5 miles escape corridor.
Americans pushed ahead toward Kair-
ouan the Axis air base and supply
port of Sousse. British First Army
smashed German forces back in north.
American bombers followed up RAF
night raid on Berlin to pound railway
yards at ROuen. There was a hull in
Russian fighting but Reds seemed to
be pushing on toward Smolensk.
American surface vessels in Pacific
diverted Jap force trying to get to
Aleutian islands.
TUESDAY - Mareth line was
smashed by British Eighth Army and
Axis divisions were fleeing through a
narrow coastal corridor British naval
units bombarded the Gabes area
Three American columns were in COM
handing positions on Rommel's left
flank Rommel was blowing up his
airficds in retreat British and Amer
lean planes pounded his retreating
forces The Russian battlefront was
begged down in mud but in northern
: sectors Reds were forging ahead
| British bombers made heavy air at
tacks on German sub base at st
Nazaire and other points along coast
In Pacific area T. S. bombers raideC
Jap bases north of Australia. Chinese
claimed advances south of YangtZe
Germans were preparing large scale
campaign against guerrilas in Serbia