davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lincoln times., 1944-11-23

EASTERN FRONT: Germans claim
Red Army has opened huge winter
offensive in Latvia, where 100000
Nazi troops are pocketed; Russians
say only they have begun attack on
Saare island, commanding Gulf of
Riga entrance.
The Lincoln times., 1944-11-23

ASIATIC FRONT: Chinese repulse
counterattack inside the japanese
Bhamo base.
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1944-05-27

~ Athe b Of eUey Wa, Bond you buy these 7Oo,as:
NJ ''The United States promises pay -
These may nat sonad like such brace qOos. But actually
they are The hope ofkhe 1uoylaI
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1944-05-27
GIRL SCOUTS COURT
OF AWARDS WILL BE
HELD TOMORROW

The Girl Scouts of Juneau and
Douglas will celebrate their spring
court of awards Sunday afternoon
at 3 o'clock at the Evergreen bowl,
weather permitting, or at the
Northern Light Presbyterian church,
it was announced today by the Girl
Scout Council.
The public is cordially invited to
attend and the many persons, who
contributed to the finance drive and
made Scouting possible for another
year, are extended special invita-
tons.
The spring court of awards is the
occasion upon which the Brownies
of ten years of age become Girl
Scouts, and the intermediate and
senior Scouts receive awards and
emblems for their accomplishments.
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1944-05-27
JOHN Fl0BERG WINS
TRACK H0N0RS FOR
BALLARD HI SCHOOL

In a recent issue of Seattle
newspaper an article of interest to
Juneauites appeared on the sports
page, relating to John Oliver Flo
berg, track star in his final year
at Ballard High School. He is term
ed the Player of the Week" after
raking in is points for his team in
a meet with Queen Anne High
School, and winning three of the
events.
The article continues. "Dashing
into the sportslight this week is
none other than the dynamic track
man, John Oliver Floberg. This star
track man has really been burning
up the track since the beginning of
the track season.
John was born in Seattle at the
Swedish Hospital on October rs,
1926. Getting tired of Seattle wea-
Their, he moved up to Alaska where
it is nice and warm. He attended
Juneau grade and high school,
where he received a letter In bias
ketball. Sports take up most of his
time, track being his main interest
and football coming in a close Sec
ond. In track he has really been
doing some fancy running. Out OF
nine entries he placed first eight
times and second once. His time
in the low hurdles and broad jump
is still unbeaten"
Floberg is. the son of Mrs. An
drew Hildre, and is residing with
an aunt in Ballard.
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1944-05-27
9 PASSENGERS COME
IN ABOARD PATRICIA

Nine passengers were brought in
aboard the Patricia from Lynn
Canal ports as follows:
From Haines-Miss Cora Horton,
Joe Green, M. Mccormick, Mrs.
Sophia Heller, Mary Willard, Mar
tina King.
From Skagway-Percy Reynolds,
w. j. Walker, and H. O. Adams.
The Patricia leaves again Monday
night for Haines and Skagway.
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1944-05-27

The Canadian and British forces
have pushed within two miles of the
arc near the confluence of the Liri
and Sacco rivers and are within two
or three miles of Ceparano, i'm
portant road junction on the Cas-
sino-Rome highway
General Clark's reconnaissance
troops in the Artena area advanced
about 1914 miles north of the former
beachhead perimeter after sharp
enemy counterattacks in which Is
huge tanks participated.
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1944-05-27
Mrs. Daughters
Are Leaving for South

Mrs. w. D. Gross and three
daughters, zelma, Sonia and ROM
melle, are leaving within the next
few days for Seattle going south fol
medical treatment. Mr.. Gross, who
has been in California, will come
north to Seattle and meet his fam
ilY there.
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1944-05-27

A cyclone generally travels at the
rate of 20 miles or more an hour.
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1944-05-27

tCOntlnueO 1rOm rage onel
nomination of Roosevelt would see
Farley once more in a role of pas
sive resistance. Farley appears con-
WINGED that efforts to stop the
Roosevelt bandwagon before the
convention meets in mid-July would
be futile.
1t is considered particularly sig
nifican. here that opposition to
Roosevelt within the party seems
to be fading rapidly and that the
fight between the parties is shap-
ing up as a fight between Roose-
Welt and Dewey even before the
nominees are named.
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1944-05-27
Two Political feuds 10
End II Roosevelt Wins
Nomination, 4th Term

Continued from Page one)
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1944-05-27
LAST ESCAPE
+ '4
ROUTE BEING
CLOSED TODAY

CONTINUED from Page One)
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1944-05-27

in a furious fight west of the Melfa
River, knocking out II tanks.
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1944-05-27

ea Jea7 ~ .aet.4.e anl' earfl' -,
le 8Ag esMuS sr;''n ev Qsxr
PC 1irs ,soysl7 80 ,sp..'
- n CIpsa SO 9tg.sn
sTsaAluasn 2oaep
alla es022n 0g.eLz
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1944-05-27

C. O. ROBERTS IN TOWN
C. o. Roberts is in Juneau and has
registered at the Gastineau from
Arlington, Washington.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-15

Der that early victories usually only mean more
savage opposition from foe made more bitter,
more ruthless as the shadow of his doom grows
larger-up to you to keep that faith in days and
nights of gloom as we'll as in hours of triumph.
There is little that you can do to show that you
realize what they must face, perhaps for many
months. But one thing you can do-back the at
tack with every dollar you can spare! Let the
Bonds you buy in this greatest of Drives be the
measure of your belief in their ultimate victory!
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-15

IRON General Bradley, leading the Invasion
l. ground forces, right through, every rank,
American men now face brutal, desperate,
able enemy. For this invasion has only begun
one that demands all their courage, backed by all
your faith in their ultimate victory.
That faith will be tested many times in this in
vasion-in grim struggles, set-backs possibly even
temporary defeats 1t will be up to you to remem-
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-15
Wy YOUR INVASION BONDS TO

Chatfdd &ChafeldIn Hampon
STREET MaSnM
ns Albert China Shop on W E't Smith aeRd ksa:9
tain yne Shop Hence Silks
Branch Hotel Elton
ar
EpcueSh Inc
and DJwhy
Shoe - & Co.. Magazines kApan B s: $%$:'S%'
Store Remnant
Streets
Fitzgerald andPL Lincoln
FredmansI Lorraine Shop
Banks
Fulton Markets dannnC4Ant Shoe Store
alC F. hSnvwhwn m Mar
West Ma
WCrndEiO Store
hes B.:a Holland Mssain ESrn.%s C
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1944-06-16
Big Point

Mr. Tine Young made a bust
ness trip to Lucedale Tuesday
morning.
Miss Alice Wilson of Pascagou-
la, spent the weekend with home
folks.
Mrs. Jesse cClamroch and
son, jaw, returned home Sunday
from Woodville, Fla, where Mrs.
McClamroch had been taking
care of her parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Watson, since January.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hurdas Nelson,
of Mobile, came Saturday for a
visit with relatives until Sunday
afternoon.
Miss Doris Nelson left Mon
day for Mobile, where she will
join a number of friends and ali
will be leaving for a vacation at
Camp York, Kings Mountain, NJ.
C., where they will attend a
Christian Bible conference.
Miss Watley of Pascagoula
spent last week in the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. Homer Wilson.
Mr.. Troy Nelson who had an
operation for appendicitis in Mo
bile two weeks ago, was brought
home Sunday bur finding Mon
day that he was not getting along
well he was rushed back to the
hospital on Tuesday.
The many friends of Mr.. Mad
sen are glad to know that he is
at home again from the Veter-
ans Hospital in Biloxi.
Mr. Tine Young has opened his
Store for business on Highway
SO.
Mrs. Norris Roberts of Van
cleave who has been spending
some weeks here in the home of
her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Irwin
Nelson, is now in the Jackson
County Hospital with a new
eignt-pound baby girl.
Mrs. Mat Carter and Mrs. Her
bert Vincent and daughter, Bar
bsra Jean, were business visitors
10 Pascagoula Monday morning.
A happy event occurred Sun
day when the family of Mrs.
Edna Nelson spent the day to-
gether ana served dinner in the
community house. The family
was all present except Mr.. Bar
ney of Pascagoula.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1944-06-16
Arena

There was Sunday School at
Roberts Chapel Sunday morning.
MIR. and Mrs. Buddy Under
W. ~ aiiu Mr. and Mrs Dozier
Rogers of Agricola, Miss, brought
Brother Matthew Underwood to
cur community Saturday night,
where he held church services at
the Church of God church. He
spent the night with Mr.. and
Mrs. Nose Williams.
There was Sunday School at
the Church of God at 10 o'clock
Sunday and preaching by Broth
er Matthew Underwood at IL
o'clock.
Joyce. small daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. Harry Stricken, is much
better al this writing.
Mrs. Clinton Williams and Mrs
Reilly visited Mrs. Harry Strick-
Ter last week.
Mrs. Eli Dudley Mrs. Ross
Hennen of Port Arthur, Texas,
Mrs. Joe Revaria of Mobile, and
Miss Margaret Dudley of Florida,
went to the graduation at Tan
ner-W Williams Tuesday night
where Hubert Dudley, Mrs. Dud-
ley's son with seven others,
graduated. Judge d. d. Ellington
Of Mobile. gave the speech for
the graduates.
MIR. and Mrs. Elmer Strickler,
Mrs. A. Stricken, Albertina, Bob,
Wanda, Carl and Mary Ann,
went to the graduation exercises
at Tanner : Williams Tuesday
night.
Mrs. Frank Smith was very
sick last week, but is much inn
proved now.
Mrs. Herman Williams, Mrs.
Clinton Williams, Mr.. ana Mrs.
Ennis RainWater visited Mrs.
Smith at the home of Mrs. Eliza
Stricken.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ennis Rainwater
spent Sunday with Mr.. and Mrs.
Buck Turner in Leakescille.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1944-06-16

guests of their aunt, Mrs. Lietha
lundy coming especially to visit
before Mr.. Shepherds induction
into the armed services.
Mrs. w. Z. Williams Of Spring
Hill, Ala, spent last weekend
with her sister, Mrs. MARVEL
Taylor.
Walter Roberts suffered the
misfortune Of getting his hand
badly cut while engaged IN work
al the paper mill.
Francis and Bobby Lundy are
spending the week with their
aunt, Mrs. Lenord Shepherd, IN
Chrichton, Ala.
f. r.. Cooley has returned from
several days of fishing up the
river with friends.
Mildred Stewart is spending
the week in Hattiesburg with her
cousins, Virginia and Rex Jones
Mrs. Z. E. Green, and brother
Peter Benefited, expect to leave
this week for a visit of several
weeks with relatives in Tennes-
see. While away they will visit
Lookout Mountain and other
points of interest.
Mrs John Mcdonald has re-
turned from a delightful visit
with her son who is stationed on
the west coast.
Mr. and Mrs. John Tingle and
Lilly Green spent Sunday in Bay
st. Louis visiting their sister,
Mrs. Maggie Carvel who has
been very Ill.
Johnny Green CT the Coast
Guard stationed in PsSeagonla,
and James Green of Ocean
Springs, spent the weekend vis-
Ting in the home of MFR. ana Mrs.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1944-06-16
Orange Grove

The Woman's Society of Chris
tan Service held IT'S regular
meeting in the church with Mrs.
Mack Mcclellan, vice president,
in charge. After a short business
period Mrs. c. L. Stewart discuss
ed the work of our missionaries
in Mexico. A sentence prayer
closed the meeting. This was es-
pecially held for our boys in The
service.
MIR. and Mrs. Nollie Roberts
and children, Vera Jean, Eileen
and Raymond, accompanied their
son and brother, Earl, to jack
son, Miss, where he was induct-
ed into the Navy. He has been
sent to Camp Perry, Va, for
training. While away they visit
ed their uncle and aunt, Mr.. and
hrs. B. M. Hill in DsLo, Miss.
MIR. and Mrs. w. p. Mcclellan,
after a pleasant visit with their
son and family, Mr. and Mrs.
Mack Mcclellan, returned to
their Greenville home. Misses
Dsloris and Charlotte Mcclellan
returned with their grandparents
for q months visit
Mrs. E. R Cooley and Mrs.
Clinton l.. Stewart are IN He ties
burg attending q reading con-
ference at Mississippi Southern
College.
Mrs. Patsy Rievierre Benne-
field who works at the MAN sir
base in Pensacola, Fla, suffered .
fall %recenutly, causing much am
xiety among Der relatives and
friends here. She is rapidly inn
proving and expects 10 resume
her work soon.
MIR. and Mrs Warren Shepherd
Of crichton, Ala, were midweek
.f
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1944-06-16
Mount Pleasant

Miss Choyce Groves entertain
ed a number Of friends and rela-
tives on Saturday evening with
. chicken fry honoring her
nephews, Laurin Wayne and
Johnson Ware, who left Monday
for induction into the u. S. Navy.
Mrs. N. l.. Booker is spending
several days visiting relatives in
Mobile, Ala. Miss Edna Cochran,
Uho has been visiting Mrs. Book
er ana Mrs. Kohlmsn, left Sat
urday for d visit in Eseatawpa
before returning to her home IN
Mobile.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson VsnDev-
ender were weekend guests OF
Mrs VanDevender's parents, MI,
and Mrs. X. M. Roberts.
Mrs. Maurice Taylor and son,
Donnie, were guests on Sunday
of Mr. and Mrs. Ruble Roberts
and sons.
Mrs. l.. Ray Roberts was The
weekend guest Of her aunt and
cousin, Mrs. Jennie and Faye
Prouse, in ~Pascagoula.
A number of young people at
tended league services at the
church on Sunday morning, and
Misses Alice Holden and Maryon
Roberts gave interesting accounts
of their trip to the Youth Assem-
bly, held at Wesson, Miss, re-
Gently.
On May 3lst Mrs. Irene Carter
was honored with a birthday
Charles Green, Jr.
Mr.. Charles Green Jr., attend
ed q meeting at Liberty Lodge
No. 9l6, in Ocean Springs, Miss
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1944-06-16

party by e daughters, mrs Jack
Fletcher and Miss Willie Nell
Garter. Aunt Rene" was the re-
cipient of some beautiful gifts
from her many friends. Deli
cious birthday cake and punch
was served for refreshments.
Mrs. Ruble Roberts has begun
work at the ingalls, Shipyard.
Roy Roberts also returned 10
work last week and is learning
welding.
The home of Mr.. and Mrs.
Laurin Ware was the scene of a
large gathering on Sunday after
noon for an old fashioned sing"
Rev. NJ. l.. Davis of Brooklyn,
Miss, was song leader, also con-
Quoted special prayer services
for Laurin Wayne and johnson
Ware who were leaving on Mon
day for induction into the Navy.
| Both the boys received nice gifts
Of fountain pens and knives from
their special friends in the com
munity, VINO wishes them
smooth saiiings" and a safe re-
turn. Homemade cake and punch
was served by Mrs. Ware, assist
by Mrs. Roland Ware, 10 about
rs guests.
TIE r. NJ. Roberts family held
a family reunion on Friday eve
ming last, and a barbecue supper
was given at the home Of Mi.
and Mrs. J. c. Harris. Mrs. Lou
Use Roberts Bittle and little son,
Bobbie Joe, Of Boise, Idaho, Mr..
and Mrs. X. l.. Roberts and on,
Bill Frost, of Belzoni, Miss, Mr..
and Mrs. Wilson VanDevender
of Pascagoula, Mr.. and Mrs r.
M. Roberts and foster sons,
James and Curtis Prime, and MRS.
M. P. Davis enjoyed the HaIris's
hospitality.
Nurse Lonnie McDona1d OF Pas
cagoula, was the weekend guest
Of her sisters, Miss Cnoyce
Groves ana Mrs. Paul Carter.
Weekend guests IN the home
of Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. P. Davis were
Rev. and Mrs. M. L. Davis and
daughter of Brooklyn, Miss, MIR.
and Mrs. J. W. Davis and daugh-
ter, ami Miss Marcia Davis of
Hattiesburg, Miss.
Mesdames j. j. Ware and Dem
yer Lyons were Biloxi vlsitors
on Saturday
The Women's Division of
Christian Service will held Its
regular meeting on Monday eve
ming at the home of Mrs. L. RAY
Roberts, with Mrs. NJ. P. Davis
as co-hostess.
Mrs Mary Noble is visiting her
husbands parents, Mr.. and Mrs
c. M Noble in Gulfport this
week.
| MIR. and Mrs. A. E. Roberts and
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1944-06-16
5 AS IN sEKERMEsTRovIcH

A u. S. Naval Base, London
derry. North Ireland-The long
est name in the Sea-Bee muster
list in Ireland is that of a sea-
man second class, from Akron,
Ohio. "Sekermestrovich IS my
name and I'm not swearing at
YOU. What's nor I'm proud OF
itn saws William Carl SeKermes-
trovich. Bliss is the son of Mr..
and Mrs. Mike s. and has
four other brothers in the ser
vice.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1944-06-16

Mummies found in Mammoth
Cave. Ky, have been identified
as of pre-C Columbian times, pos
sibly $500 years old.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1944-06-16

Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Goff and
daughter, Dellene. spent Sunday
visiting relatives in Wade.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1944-06-16

Mr.. Tine Young made a bust
ness trip to Lucedale Tuesday
morning.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1944-06-16

Mrs. Jesse cClamroch and
son, jaw, returned home Sunday
from Woodville, Fla, where Mrs.
McClamroch had been taking
care of her parents, Mr.. and Mrs
Watson, since January.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-15

borne divisions for the failure of his
first gamble. say this after having
covered the entire beachhead and
seen for myself the remnants of the
German Notifications, which II
they hadn't been demolished and
outflanked by the airborne troops
would have been capable Of re-
pelling any invasion force with ire
mendous casualties.
Some Blufflng
There was certain amount OF
blufflng with regard TO dummy mine
fields and wooden "anti-aircraft
guns" but in the main think Rom
mel knew what he was talking
about when he said on his final visit
to Normandy some weeks ago; I'VE
are ready for them"
I have seen the cleverly- hidden
and sighted rocket batteries, the 88
nm. guns and mortars behind con-
cret eand steel emplacements six
feet thick, the machine gun pill
boxes and anti-tank positions. The
German defenses were laid in depth
comprising wave on wave Of fire
power.
BY the time heavy, medium and
dive bombers and the guns of war
ships had lifted their barrage. a
god two-thirds of the coastal line
was In ruins. The air borne troops
took care of the remaining one
third. In the past few days the air
force and the navy have been pick
ing of isolated batteries still firing.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-15
1000 Planes
Blast Nozis

Continued from Page u
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-15
NEA Telephoto.

in this sector is several miles far
ther west.
Slight Gains
The German communicate &C
knowledged that the Allies had
achieved Slight gains" west of st.
Sauveur-LeVicomte.
Mcmillan described the front
looping from Villers- Bocage, through
Caumont and Tilly-Sur-Seulles to
Caen as an inferno Of burning VII
lagos, woods and farmsteads.
Tilly-sur -Seulles itself has been
reduced to mound Of dust and
smouldering embers and is a no
mans land, swept by tanks, guns,
dive-bombers, high-level bombers
and strafing fighters, Mcmillan said.
American heavy mobile guns were
revealed to have joined for the first
time in crashing barrages on enemy
concentrations entrenched in woods
and heights between st. Lo and
Caen. Both the Allies and the Ger
mans were attacking at intervals.
Marauders of the Ninth U. s. Air
force answered hurry call from
France and dropped so tons Of
bombs on the highway junction and
bridge at Villers- Bocage at dawn to-
day.
Returning crews reported the
bombs fell squarely on the junction
at the north end Of the town, ap-
parently blocking it.
Many Tanks
The Germans were believed to
have hurled 500 to 900 tanks drawn
from four PanZer divisions against
the st. Lo-Caen sector of the front
in an attempt to stem the Allied
drive through the center Of their
line. The London Daily Herald
placed the number of German tanks
engaged as high as 1000, but other
sources believed this figure too high.
The American thrust west from
Carentan followed the smashing Of
q fierce enemy counter-attack that
penetrated to the streets Of the town
temporarily. The arrival Of Ameri-
can tank and infantry reinforce
ments turned the tide of battle
again, however, and the town once
more was cleared Of the enemy.
Pushing on in pursuit Of the en-
envy, the Americans advanced west
along the main highway and rail-
road to the west coast and at last
reports were just east Of Les Sab
Ions, six miles from La Haye-Du
Puts, through which both the west
coast railway and highway from
Cherbourg pass.
Once the railway and highway
were severed. the German garrison
at Cherbourg, % miles north Of La
Haye-Du Puts, would be cut off
from all hope Of supply and rein
forcement, as well as escape by land.
Allied warships already were block
aiding the sea approaches to Cher
bourg.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-15
Two FIunks
For RommeI

CONTINUED from Page u
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-15

NGOAAUAAAANA AAOAAA ubV -
airy positions on this peninsula with
low-calibre troops impressed from
the Reich's Slav states.
He made his second when he de-
layed starting counter action until
after Sunday. I am now able to
report that If Rommel had hit us
any time before ID Plus S" the
Allies would have been up against
1t. They were not up to strength
in artillery and certain infantry
outfits had had hard time up
front.
Now they have a comfortable mar
gin in foot-slogging manpower and
Allied artillery outfires the enemy
at least two to one.
10000 Casualties
The Germans up to the time this
was written had suffered loss of
about 10000 men, divided as follows
Dead 1000; prisoners, 5000; wound
ed, $4,000. Their transport, accord
ing to French witnesses, is short OF
the vehicles with which to with
draw, let alone bring up reinforce
ments.
Another factor which is beginning
to tell increasingly against the Ger
mans is the French underground,
which now is in full motion in this
area. There has been highly effec-
tive French sabotage behind the
German lines and the Allies are get
ting a constant stream of informa-
ton from underground couriers who
daily cross No-Man's land.
Rommel may credit the Allied
air force, the U. s. and British
navies and the 10lst and 82nd air.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-15

taken in concert with the Euro
pean invasion"
This new offensive, these sources
declare" Domei added, has been
staged to bolster the American
public and is nothing else than an
other manifestation Of Roosevelts
internal policy"
Washington, June 15.-(UP)-
The Navy Department, in line with
its usual policy of keeping silent on
enemy claims, said 1t had no COM
ment today on the report Of the
Japanese Domei News Agency that
American forces had attempted to
land on Saipan.
Unofficial observers here noted
that while the Japanese radio often
has been incorrect 1t also has
proved correct on many reports OF
new American operations in the
Pacific.
Speculation over a landing in
Marianas reached a new high ear
lier this week when the Navy an
nounced that the islands had been
the target for a heavy attack by
strong U. S. carrier task forces over
the weekend.
Seizure of bases on Saipan OF
elsewhere in the Marianas would
give the United States new
strategic advantage in the Pacific
war.
The Islands. which lie 1900 miles
southeast Of the Japanese home
islands, are one Of the chief ar
teries for aerial communication be-
tween Japan and her land bases
in the Central and Southwest
Pacific. They would put American
forces a step nearer the Bonir
Islands, which stretch northward tt
a point within 900 miles Of Japan.
In addition, capture Of the Ma.
rianas would outflank most Of
Japanis Central Pacific bases, not
ably in the Carolines, site Of the
naval base of Truk. 1t also woulc
put the United States considerably
closer to its objective Of driving
straight across the Pacific to the
Chinese coast.