December 28, 1944; AMERICAN FORCES HOLD FIRM AT BASTOGNE:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, DECEMBER 28, 1944:

RACINE, WIS., THURSDAY AFTERNOON, DECEMBER 28, 1944.

Relief Corridor

To Bastogne

Holds Firm

PARIS. — (AP) —

American forces cutting into both sides of the Von Rundstedt bulge at its thinnest neck have fought to within less than 20 miles of a junction, 36-hour old reports from the front said tonight.

The whole southern flank of the enemy salient from Bastogne to the German border yielded slowly to hammering. Doughboys and tanks crossed t h e Sure river at four places and threw the enemy back into the reich at two places in t h e Echtrnach area at the eastern end of  the wedge.

The razor-thin relief corridor to epic Bastogne held firm against German infantry and armore attack.

The Germans were buffeted back further in h a r d fighting near Grandmenil and Marche, points 20 miles away from t h e other side of  t h e bulge.

Ponnd Trapped Spearhead.

Part of the German spearhead which had driven deepest into Belgium at Celles was encircled and being hammered into disintegration by a ring of guns a n d armor,

and another pocket along t h e underbelly of t h e salient was receiving similar treatment.

Strikes Cannot

Be Condoned,

Says Roosevelt

CHICAGO—(AP)—

The army took possession of Montgomery Ward and Company properties

in seven cities today under an executive order of President Roosevelt, who declared the government cannot and will not tolerate any interference with war production in this critical hour."

Jap Navy Loses

3 Destroyers in

Mindoro Raid

GEN. MacARTHUR'S HEADQUARTERS,

Philippines— (AP) —

Heavy guns of Japanese and American naval t a s k forces traded r a i d i n g blows Tuesday and Wednnesday on island bases 1,500 miles a part  but the Nipponese came off worse, with three destroyers sunk, a battleship and cruiser damaged.

Two United States warships of undisclosed type were dealt slight

damage.

The Japanese shelled Mindoro, central Philippines, from t h e China sea Tuesday night, Gen. Douglas MacArthur announced today.

The Americans, making their third appearance  this month with in 750 miles of Tokyo, bombarded Iwo Jima, Volcano islands, from t h e Pacific, Tuesday, U. S. date, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz announced

Yesterday at Pearl Harbor. The enemy coastal guns scored hits on the warships.

U. S. Submarine

Presumed Lost

WASHINGTON. — (U.P.) _

The 1,450-ton submarine Sea wolf is overdue on Pacific patrol and presumed lost with its’ crew of a t least 62 men, the n a v y announced today.

This was t h e 34th U. Submarine to be lost from all causes in this war and the 239th American naval vessel lost. Our submarines, however, have sunk 934

Japanese ships.