The Ypsilanti daily press., 1944-04-24
Air Armada Above Europe:
YankS Cut OFF 10000 JapS
Philippines in
Bomber Range
Now

(By International News seryice)
Tho Anglo. American air Invasion
OF western Europe roared into its
eighth successive day today. with
strong bomber formations sweep
ing toward the continent in the
wake Of night raid on Belgian
and German targets.
Coincident with these bombing
operations. Gen Douglas MacAr-
thur took another giant step on
his return toward the Philippines.
personally directing amphibIous
operations which placed his ground
forces within bombing distance Of
the enemyheld archipelago
Coastal observers along the Eng.
iish Channel said large formations
Of four.engined bombcrs headed
toward the so.called invasion
coast Of northern France early
this morning, Shortly afterward.
the German radio announced ths
approach 10 southwestern Germ
any OF raiding aircraft. other
planes. the enemy transmitter said,
were already over western por-
iions of the Reich.
The daylight operations came on
tho heels OF an air ministry an
nouncemont that Royal Air Forcs
planes had smashed at signal
equipment depot in Belgium, and
blasted Mannheim in Germany for
the second time IN - hours. The
gnal depot WAS situated al VII
yordc. ssiI miles northeast OF
Brussels
In addition to the Manneheim
aud Nilyorde targets. the RAE
craft planted mines IN enemy wat
crs An told. only six planes were
listed AZ missing
Nears Philippines
zen. Douglas Macarthur took y
500-mile stride In his return Jour
uey To tho Philippines and today
his ground forces held newly-won
positions within bomber range of
the southernmost island OF that
archipelago
The American four-starred gem
eral. who repeatedly has promised
II shall return" to the Philippine
Islands To- ayenge the defenders OF
Bataan and Corregldor, PERSONAL
Is directed arsphibious operations
which drove Allied spearheAds
one-third Of the distance toward
the enemy held islands
Under protection Of n large fleet
Of warshipb and aerial canopy, |.
s troops stormed ashore at tn go
points along lJ0mtlc front IN
northern New Guinea. Shortly ar
te landing at Humboldt Bay near
uollaudia In Dutch New Guinea,
the lanks consolidated their po-
siuous and trapped the enemy.
In addit' on 10 the Humboldt Bay
landing, the Americans establish
ed beachhcads al Aitrape and
TanahmCrah Bay. Only light enc
1. w resistance was encountered.
most OF the Japs attention having
been drawn toward Nadang and
Wewak. far to the east, by recent
Allied feints
$4,000 Cut on
As a result Of the new inysslona
in which the Americans suffered
only light casualties. the Japa'
ncse 18th army OF an estimated
GO 600 mon was cut on
These Jap troops are hemmed n
while TO the north the poweriul
Allied fleet maintains ceaseless
vigil aud overhead the United Ma
tions airmen hold aerial mastery.
The plight OF the 18th Japanese
army thus duplicated that OF the
estimated 10000 members OF the
cnomys trapped 18th and lsth
armies in the Bismarck sea area
Seek Airdrome
Initial phases OF the new sur
prise blow dealt the Japs in New
Guinea resulted in capture of Tadli
and the alrstrip at Aitape. Objec-
tive OF operations at Hollandia -
occupation Of the vital airdrome
there; this would give the Allies
a iOTiulNtUle udrt lDl AdNhShAH1
bombing operations against Jap po-
sitions in the Philippines only
1000 miles distant.
In the o. ly other theater mark
ed by major engagements against
the Japs. a strong twoway Allied
counter-offensive was reported un-
der way in India. The London Dai-
ly Mail said the enemy yielded
ground both at Kohima and lmphaL
as the United Nations troops swept
r.. ward from bases at lmphal and
If-1apur
Cling 70 Positions
In Italy. American troops clung
~ improved positions south Of
Cisterna on the Anzio beachhesd
after bending the Nazi right flank
in a limited assault. while on the
main Fifth Army front Increased
artillery duelliug broke out.
On the Russian front, increased
air activity by the Soyiets was
taken to indicate that the Red
Army is preparing a new often
sive in pre-war Poland and Estonia.
where the Germans have been"
,oyr4or attacLfuv af heavy cost