Evening star., 1944-08-06

reports declared actually had been
crossed.
Much more threatening to the
Germans than the campaign toward
East Prussia was a Russian crossing
of the Vistula River toward Krakow
over wide front from which a
column is pushing toward Upper
Silesia, on the direct road to Berlin
and only II miles from the tank
tipped spearhead.
AS the week ended, a survey dis
closed that the Germans are at
tempting to break out of the Baltic
trap, are fighting grimly at the Red
Army forcing in the door of East
Prussia, have yielded all the OLD
city and the Jewish quarter of War
saw over which flies the flag of
Poland, are reeling back from
several crossings of the Vistula
which threaten to pocket further
large sections of the German Army
and are everywhere frantically rush.
ing up reserves to delay the fate
which is rapidly approaching.
In Italy, the British 9th Army has
entered Florence as the Germans
take up new positions across the
Arno River. Making good their
promise not to defend the city and
thus cause wide destruction to one
of the most famous art and his
torlcal centers Of the world, the
Nazis yielded without resistance,
but they Gid blow up number of
bridges over the Arno, sparing only
one bridge which is one of the best
examples of the ancient Tuscan art.
Only about 20 miles of the south
bank of the Arno remain in Ger
man hands and possession of that
small line may cost the enemy
dearly if the British are able to
strike west from Florence and bar
them from the few crossings of the
river now available to the Nazis.
Otherwise, excepting for the action
of Italian based planes, the situa-
ton was relatively quiet in Italy.
Future trouble for Hitler de-
veloped during the week when
Turkey, on Wednesday, broke off
diplomatic relations with Berlin, a
forerunner probably, of Turkish
entry into the war. The action of
the Turks gave weight to Bulgarian
efforts to make peace The Bulgars,
friends of Russia and not at war
with the Soviet, are reported to
have already put out peace feelers
though the report has not been
verified.
A definite change in Finland's S
government also may take that
nation out of the war. Marshal
Mannerheim. advocate of with
drawal from the war, became presi-
dent, succeeding Risto Ryti, Nazi
collaberationist. After this govern
mental change, it was reported that
the Nazis were endeavoring to
evacuate their troops from Finland.
5000 Killed by Buzz Bombs.
All week long the buzz bombs con-
tlnued to fall on England and Allied
aircraft continued to pound the
launching platforms. centers of
buzz bomb manufacture and the
usual array of industrial and oil in
stallations.
Britain admitted that nearly 5000
persons have been killed by the
bombs and 100000 homes damaged.
However, the fury of the attacks
slackened somewhat as the week
ended and defensive measures be-
gan to display more efficiency.
Over in the Pacific and Asiatic
theater, the war continued to 60
well for the Allied cause.
A new secret weapon, so powerful
and fearful that no person within
100 feet of its action can survive
was said to be in use in the invasion
OF the Marianas Islands. 1t ma
terially speeded the landings on
Tinian and the overrunning of that
island. The secret of. the new
weapon is closely guarded but it's
effect on the closely crowded cities
OF Japan once it comes into use
there will be terrific, it was stated.
Progress on Guam was continu-
Gus throughout the week, although
the Japs have put up a sturdy de-
tense to delay final loss of this
vital naval base dominating the
approaches to the Philippines
American warships, however, are
already using the harbor of Port
Apra on the west coast.
Speed New Guinea Drive.
Tuesday Gen. MacArthur's forces,
In another leapfrog maneuver seized
the tip of New Guinea and the con-
quest of the north shore of that
important island was completed.
The Japanese second army by the
end OF the week was streaming
southwark to avoid the fate of the
$4,000 trapped between the Ameri-
cans and the Australians farther
to the east.
Japanese reports state that the
Americans have made or attempted
landings on Rota in the Marianas,
but this is not confirmed.
BY the end of the week, two
thirds of Guam were in American
hands and the conquest of Tinian
was almost completed. Numerous
raids were made by American air.
craft on Truk and other Japanese
bases and a task force aoain orar
ated in considerable strength
against the Bonin Islands, less than
600 miles from Tokyo.
1t. Gen. Stilwell, commander of
American forces in Burma and
China, was elevated to the rank of
full general last week and shortly
thereafter it was announced the
Myitkyina, important Jap supply
base in Burma, had fallen into Allied