Current Events December 17, 1943;

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY DECEMBER 17, 1943:

 U.S. troops of the Sixth Army invaded and established a firm foothold on New Britain early Wednesday morning in the most important Allied ground move thus far to expel the Japanese from the Southwest Pacific.

 Great formations of American four-engine bombers, protected by squadrons of fighters, braved thick flak yesterday to strike a spectacular blow at heavily defended northwest Germany—home of vital industry and
shipbuilding.

 U.S. Army war casualties since Pearl Harbor, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson announced today, included 15,334 killed, 35,049 wounded, 23,725 'missing and 24,486 prisoners.
Stimson said Fifth Army casualties in the Italian campaign were 2,010 killed, 8,583 wounded and 2,826 missing. British losses, he said, were somewhat smaller

Yanks Seize
Beachhead,
Drive Inland
 Sixth ArmyTanks Heading
 For Gasmata; Half of One
Landing Unit Wiped Out
 U.S. troops of the Sixth Army invaded and established a firm foothold on New Britain early Wednesday morning in the most important Allied ground move thus far to expel the Japanese from the Southwest Pacific.
A communique from Gen. Douglas A. MacArthur's headquarters said last night that Americans under the command of Lt. Gen. Walter Kreuger had seized their main objective—four miles of flat coastline—at Cape Merkus, and now were moving inland under the protection of tanks toward Gasmata. strategic Jap base 80 miles away.
                                                       Land at Three Points
The landings were made at three points after a week of pulverizing air attacks by the Fifth Air Force and a 60-minute naval bombardment by strong units of the U.S. and Australian navies.
The main assault, on Pilelo, met weak opposition. One diversionary landing was unopposed, but a second diversionary force was met by heavy crossfire from 20 mm. guns. The United Press reported that half of this force was wiped out before it reached the beaches. Pilelo was captured by* noon after the Jap defenders had !>een annihilated by guns from .armored vehicles and light
tanks.
Pilelo is a tiny island just south of Cape Merkus and is the site of the most important enemy defense points in the area.
                                                  Rabaul Ultimate Objective
The ultimate objective of the Sixth Army troops undoubtedly is Rabaul, 260 miles from Cape Merkus on the northeast tip of New Britain. Military observers believed the U.S. force will edge along the coast to capture Gasmata, then, simultaneously with a blow from Bougainville, swing the knockout punch in a mass air sea operation.

 Forts in Flak Battle
Smoke Seen
50 Miles Off
After Attack
Heavily Defended German
Northwest Target in
Month's 5th Raid
 Great formations of American four-engine bombers, protected by squadrons of fighters, braved thick flak yesterday to strike a spectacular blow at heavily defended northwest Germany—home of vital industry and
shipbuilding.
 The bombers' objective- was described in the preliminary Eighth Air  Force -announcement only as
"targets in northwest Germany," and at a late hour last night a more detailed communique had not been
issued.
Returning .airmen asserted, however, that their bombs churned up great black smoke clouds which rose
3,000 feet through the .overcast and. could be seen 50 miles away.
                                                           Likened to Kiel Flak
"I never saw so much flak," one pilot said, while others compared the fire to the ack-ack of last June's raid on Kiel, generally spoken of as the worst Eignth Air Force has met.
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 Invasion in South France
Is Coming, Berne Hears
STOCKHOLM, Dec. 16 (UP)—
Berne reports quoted by the Stockholm newspaper Allehanda said today that the next Allied invasion was expected- to take place in southern France instead of in Western Europe or the Balkans, as previously anticipated. . The theory is based on reports that large troop concentrations are taking place in Corsica and that the Allies are massing ships for the assault.
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Army Death Toll 15,334;
2,OlO Are Killed in Italy
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (AP)—
U.S. Army war casuualties since Pearl Harbor, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson announced today, included 15,334 killed, 35,049 wounded, 23,725 'missing and 24,486 prisoners.
Stimson said Fifth Army casualties in the Italian campaign were 2,010 killed, 8,583 wounded and 2,826 missing. British losses, he said, were somewhat smaller.