THE STARS AND STRIPES
Daily Newspaper of U.S. Armed Forces in the European Theater of Operations
London, England Thursday, March 4, 1943
Nazis Leave Rzhev,
Key City on Volga,
May Retire Further
Surprise Evacuation of Vital Rail Junction
Without Fight Hints a Withdrawal
On Main Moscow Front
By The Associated Press.
The Germans have withdrawn from Rzhev, vital railway junction and
key city on the Volga, northwest of Moscow. '
.This news, the most important indication for some days that the Russians
are still sweeping triumphantly westward, is regarded as a forerunner of
a general withdrawal from the Vyazma-Rzhev salient which has thrust
dangerously toward Moscow for more than a year.
Official communiques for some days have not mentioned Rzhev, and
the announcement, broadcast by the German radio shortly before 1 PM
yesterday, came as a surprise.
The Nazis claimed the town, was evacuated to " shorten our line," but
before making the definite admission of the serious reverse, they gave signs of
confusion. Immediately after the radio broadcast the first news, another broadcast
followed, stating the announcement should be withdrawn. It was confirmed,
however, in the official communique broadcast about 1.30 PM.
London military observers were cautious about speculating on the cause
and ultimate effects of the German withdrawal from the city.
It is known, however, that Rzhev was strongly fortified and was a snag which
finally stopped the Russian offensive westward from Moscow in the winter of 1942.
When the Red troops thrust westward to the Veliki Luki area last year, they left
Rzhev on the corner of the salient with the next strong point, Vyazma, about 90
miles due south. If there has been a withdrawal from Rzhev it is therefore
likely to leave Vyazma in an exposed position like a finger pointing to Moscow.
Nazis There Since ''41
Two Ships Sunk
In Jap Convoy
14 Enemy Vessels Headed
For New Guinea Still
Being Attacked
ALLIED HQ, Southwest Pacific, Mar. 3 (UP)—Two Japanese transports, one of
10,000 tons and the other of 8,000 tons, have been sunk out of the Japanese
convoy sailing between New Britain and New Guinea and headed for Lae.
The remainder of the 14 ships in the convoy is still being attacked after being
intercepted and torn to pieces by Flying Fortresses, Liberators and Lightnings
between New Guinea and New Britain. Other transports were also hit and set
on fire, while further hits or near misses were scored on escorting enemy warships
and cargo vessels. The remnants of the battered convoy have been dispersed.
Allies Counter
2 New Thrusts
On North Front
Foe Retires Without Fight
la South; 8th Army
Masses for Attack
i
ALLIED HQ, North Africa, Mar. 3
|(AP)— Allied troops beat back two small hits by the Axis in Northern Tunisia
today, while in the south advanced Allied its pressed, without battle, on the
of Rommel's Panzers retreating_____bl ast of Sbeitla. ||n the air, Allied- planes bombed and straffed enemy truck concentrations at all points in Northern Tunisia, knockdown
five Axis fighters and one Saber and heavily bombing Tunis and Goulette harbor nearby.
the far south the Eighth Army conid its patrol activity, repulsing two attacks in the north
British- American First Army artillery heavily shelled Axis positions
and vehicles advancing on the road miles east of Sedjenane withdrew
four armored cars had 'been knocked
LondonRaided;
Fires in Berlin
Nazis Hit Back 48 Hours
After RAF Assault
On Reich
German bombers struck back at London last night in retaliation for the
RAF raid which blasted Berlin wide open Monday night and left fires still burning
in the Reich capital yesterday.
Soon after 8 o'clock last night the sirens wailed across London and ack-ack
defenses thundered into action to beat off enemy raiders. The foray against the
British capital came after two days and three nights in which England was free
from raids.
Some fires were started by the raiders, who struck back almost exactly 48 hours
from the first explosion in Berlin. Meanwhile, dispatches from neutral
Stockholm and even the German radio itself, tended to confirm that the RAF's
cascade of two- and four-ton blockbusters over Berlin Monday left a large
portion of the city blackened and blasted.
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