Evening star., 1944-07-02

!
units are only 20 miles from the
important port and naval base of
Leghorn and only q miles from Pisa
which is the western anchor of the
so-called Gothic line. Over 1OO-
mile front the movement forward is
general although somewhat slower
in the central sectors where the
British 9Th Army is progressing
northWard along both sides of Lake
Trasimeno. Much enemy equipment
has been abandoned or destroyed.
The next important stand is ex-
pected at the Gothic Line.
Disaster in Russia.
Real disaster has been the Nazi
portion in the Eastern front, already
weakened by the transfer of reserves
to meet the Allied threat in Nor
mandy. According to Russian re-
ports, the first week of the summer
offensive through White Russia has
already cost the enemy 1873 $50 men
either killed OF captGrer
Opening powerful attaca on the
Fatherland line, four Russian armies
operating on 250-mile front broke
through at many points on Monday.
Vltebsk, immediate objective, quickly
fell placing the Russians only 1870
miles northeast of Minsk, in White
Russia.
Supported by a heavy air cover
on Tuesday, the Russians threatened
breakthrough over a 1O0-mile front
and there were many evidences of
impending collapse of the whole wall
OF defense as the Russian drive
pointed directly toward Minsk, gate
way to Warsaw and to the Reich
itself.
BY Thursday, Bobruisk, last anchor
.of the Fatherland line fell, and the
Russians began to press on from a
point only 81 miles from Minsk.
The German collapse was rapid
thereafter and yesterday the enemy
was pouring back into Minsk which
could hear the sound of battle. But
even though they have reached
Minsk, the Nazis are already out
1anked by Russian advance north
east Of the city. In fact the British
nave broadcast a report that Minsk
is surrounded. A direct frontal as
sula on the city is impeded by the
horde OF prisoners blocking the
roads.
Progress toward the Baltic states
and in the campaign against Fin
land was made though the successes
were overshadowed by the dramatic
events occurring in White Russia
Finland lost her best friend last
week when the United States severed
diplomatic relations because of the
pro-German nature of her present
government.
In the Pacific the Japanese have
carried on bitter defense of Sal
pan Island, only half of which so
lar has passed into American hands
despite the heaviest casualties
which the American forces have
suffered up to the present in the
Pacific. With 9,752 Americans killed.
wounded or missing, our forces have
found the going exceedingly tough.
At present fierce fighting is under
way for Mount Tapotchau in the
center Of the island and Americans
have by-passed japanese cave posi-
tlons in many cases only to have to
return to mop them up. The de-
cisive battle will probably be fought
in the area around the capital.
Garapan.
Situated as it is, Saipan in Amer
ican hands would serve as a base
for direct assault on the Philip
pines and the Japanese home is
lands. Because of its tremendous
Importance, the Japs can not aban-
don the outpost without a fight and
it may be that the naval battle so
earnestly desired by the fleet may
occur before the operation is COM
pleted.
Carry War to Japs.
During the week, supporting the
forces on Saipan, American planes
and ships carried the war to the
Japs from the Kuriles to New
Guinea. Paramushiro and Shimu-
shu were not only bombed but were
shelled by task force which steam
ed within range Of shore to blast