Evening star., 1944-04-16

military authorities of the Allies i'm
mediately after the war is over. The
dispute within the French forces
was ended when Gen. Giraud was
stripped of his authority by Gen.
de Gaulle, who took for his Free
French the responsibility of French
government.
Heavy Raids in Pacific.
Over in the Pacific area the Jap
anese have undergone a series of
heavy air blows intended to soften
many bases which stand across the
various paths to Tokyo.
From the Aleutians, a total of IA
raids were made against enemy
establishments in the Kuriles, those
islands which are some 1000 miles
from Tokyo and which have been hit
many times in the past.
Truk, Ponape and other islands
in the Central Pacific were appre-
ciably softened by numerous raids
throughout the week, most impor-
tant of which saw bombers from
Gen. MacArthur's command co-ordi-
mating with Navy bombers of the
Central Pacific command in two
way attack on Truk.
The campaign on New Britain is
rapidly approaching a climax will,
the japanese abandoning all bases
south of Rabaul to fall back on that
badly-hammered base for a final
stand.
A year ago more than $50 900 tons
of japanese shipping rode at anchor
In Rabaul's harbor waiting to take
some 100000 troops down for drive
to recapture Guadalcanal. Now
there are few If any ships left in
the harbor, at least riding at anchor
on the surface of the harbor.
On New Guinea the Allies have
apparently raised their sights, fol
the full power of air attack has
been extended beyond Wewak which
has been pounded almost into USE
leSsneSs to center on Hollandia, Jar
airbase considerably to the west OF
WeWak on the northern shore OF
New Guinea.
Bogadjim Is Captured.
In the meantime, Australian
ground forces have captured Bo-
gadjim, important enemy base or
the road to Madang. Bogadiim was
entered without opposition, the jap
anese abandoning a fair amount OF
equipment in their haste to retreat
from a possible engagement to meet
their ancestors.
| In India the situation is not sc
good. japanese troops pushing for
ward west and southwest of the
Allied base at Imphal have cut the
supply trail which connects Bish-
enpore and Silchar and the Japs
now claim that they have isolated
1mphal. However, ferrying of sup.
plies by plane is possible and the
enemy has not approached within
reach of Imphal as yet.
Other Jap forces have come
within 10 miles of the Bengal
Assam supply route near Dimapul
over which essential munitions anc
food must pass to the American
and Chinese forces in North
Burma.
Gen. Stillwells 22d and 39tf
Chinese divisions are moving stead.
lily southwark toward the Jap bast
at Myitkyina and Brig. Gen. Mer.
rills American MarauderS also are
pushing southwark.
just what is back of these various
campaigns must determine the i'm.
portance of the weeks develop.
ments. There is. apparently a feel.
ing of confidence among Allied
leaders in India and there have beer
hints that the Japanese, now flushed
with their victories toward Imphal
may suddenly find themselves cut
off from supplies.
However, in India considerable
discomfort over developments ha.
been noted.
One heavy blow to the Alliee
cause came during the week wher
1t was announced that Gen. Vatutin
the brilliant young Russian com.
mander nicknamed Lightning. hae
died in Kiev after an operation. HI
played the major part in the freeinl
OF the Ukraine of the Nazis. q