The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-02-17
The War On MonyFronts
By LOUIS F. KEEMLE United Press War EditOr)

1 NUnlCcQ FrcSS war E0ltOrD
 The Germans have launched their expected second assault on the Anzio Beachhead in great strength, with heavy artillery and some air support. Front reports in dicate that the Allies have them outmatched about 10 to one in the air and are holding the attack, at the same time delivering crippling blows to their rear lines to prevent reinforcement.
 The Germans still were in retreat on the Baltic front as Soviet troops along Lake Peipus drove to within 35 miles of Pskov, key NaI position The fight of exterInination in the Cherkasi pocket in the south was described as having reached the hand to hand" stage.
 As peace talks between Russia and Finland were reported continu- ing, Helsinki was heavily bombed in two raids by 400 Soviet planes.
 In the Pacific, powerful blows were struck at Japanese bases from Ponape in the Caroline Islands to Kavieng, New Ireland, and Wewak, New Guinea.
 Censorship
 Censorship and delay of spot news dispatches from the front matter being investigated by the British government under pressure in the house of commons-prevents a proper appraisal of the immediate situation in southern Italy.
 From what is coming through, it appears that the stopping of their first counter offensive has not de- prived the Germans of the power to regain the initiative, and con- siderable heavy fighting is in pros pect before the Allies can resume their march inland.
 This time the Allies have been favored, at least at the start. by better weather and are able to make full use of their air superior ity. If the new German attack is hurled back, as General Sir Harold R. L. G. Alexander has expressed confidence it will be, there seems a good chance that the Germans will not be able to come on again a third time.
 That is because Allied bombers have inflicted heavy damage on German lines of communication and supply, causing a tangle in his rear likely to prevent adequate sup port from being moved up. The Germans may even be forced into a general retreat if their front lines begin to crack.
 Developments in the Pacific point towards an early American assault on Japan'S main bases in the Caro- line Islands, Ponape and Truk. The possibility that either of these two Strongholds being by-paSsed seems extremely remote. The heavy, long range bombing attack on Ponape is 8 good indication of the direct ap- proach planned by Admiral Chester w. Ninitz.
 The conquest of Kwajalein set the pattern. In striking there, Nimit2 was not island hopping" but passed over all the eastern Marshalls tC get at the heart of the enemy de- fense. The other islands in the group have been cut of from supply either by sea or air and can be al- lowed. to wither on the vine. Wake our former possession, obviously can be taken at leisure.
 U. s. Offensive After converting Kwajalein into an American offensive air base in amazingly short time, Nimitz struck at once with land-based planes al Ponape, some $50 miles eastward and 437 miles from Truk.
 At the same time, our forces closed in relentlesesly on Rabaul New Britain, which formerly guard ed the southern flank of Truk. Nov Rabaul has been effectively neu- tralized as an offensive base and has no further value for the defense oi Truk. Kavieng, its twin outpost or New Ireland, also is in the process of being knocked out.
 American land forces have edged into the Green Islands, 130 miles from Rabaul, and are entrenched on the southern end of New Britain In itself an American occupation of Rabaul would bring our land