December 7, 1944; REMEMBER PEAR HARBOR:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, DECEMBER 7, 1944:

Extra post

TWENTY-FOUR THE RACINE JOURNAL-TIMES, THURSDAY AFTERNOON, DECEMBER 7, 1944.

Ghost Fleet Now Roams Pacific

To Avenge Jap Sneak Attack

By WILLIAM F. TYREE

PEARL HARBOR. — (U.P) —

A ghost fleet of the ships sunk or damaged by the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor three years ago roamed the Pacific today bolstered by the greatest naval forces ever built.

Since that tragic day in 1941 the tables have turned. Everyone from Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, whose steely blue eyes are focused on the Japanese empire, down to the lowliest GI at this world's busiest naval base knows that the enemy is on the run as the United States begins its fourth year of the

war.

The tension which was so evident in the early days of the war is gone. The war was moved 4,000 miles west to the Philippines and to Tokyo itself.

Memorials Scheduled.

The results of the last three years comprise a glory-filled chapter of American history.

The American fleet that was beaten in two hours Dec. 7, 1941 has risen from Pearl Harbor's muddy bottom and, with the aid of new construction, has carried the battle back to the enemy.

Today Pearl Harbor observed the occasion with solemnity, dignity, and work

                                                   __________________

CHESTER. PA., THURSDAY. DECEMBER 7, 1944

FRONT ASSAULT

ON SAAR BASTION

SEEN IMMINENT

Capital Stormed From

Two Directions;

1 Mile From City

P a r i s, (UP)—

Lt. Gen. George S. Patton's troops stormed the outer defenses of Saarbruken, industrial capital of the Saar Basin from two directions today and by German

account broke into the Nazi Westwall from newly won positions across the Saar River.

Front dispatches, said the Third Army vanguard was within four miles or less of Saarbrucken, city of 135,000 astride the Saar., and indicated that a frontal assault on the shell-pocked and blazing stronghold was imminent.

The Berlin radio, acknowledging American crossings of the Saar—apparently those northwest of Saarbrucken. where three bridgeheads had been established said that fighting in the pillboxes in the west wall was in full swing."

The Nazis claimed that one U. S. battle-group which, crossed the Saar was "annihilated." but said armored units at other points penetrated into

the forefield fortifications of the Siegfried Line.

They were "checked and partly driven back," a broadcast said, following with the admission of heavy fighting in the 10-mile deep belt of fortifications across western Germany.

Tank Herd Broken

On Patton's right wing, Maj. Gen. John S. Wood's Fourth" Armored . Division swung forward four miles to the town of Montbronn. 13 miles southeast of Saareguemines. His forces broke up a herd of about 40 German tanks, supported by two companies of infantry, knocking out ten of the tanks.

YANKS CRACK

LEYTE JAP LINE;

NEARER ORMOC

Enemy Claims Landing

Of Sky Troops; 8 Foe

Planes Shot Down

Allied Headquarters, Philippine*,

(UP)—

American infantrymen battled up the west coast of Leyte within ten miles of Ormoc today after cracking through a strong Japanese line along the Palatial River, and a communique announced that U. S. Naval and air forces have Isolated the enemy garrison from all seaborne reinforcement or supply.

There was no confirmation of enemy reports that Japanese paratroops landed In four major American air fields on Leyte Island last night in what Tokyo

described as an "all-out offensive" to knock out Gen. Douglas

MacArthur's island-based airpower.