February 22, 1945:ALLIED AIRFORCE LASHES REICH:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1945:

ST. JOSEPH, MICH., THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1945.

MIGHTIEST AIR

ATTACK OF WAR

RIPS MANY

Yank and British Bombers

Smash Dozens of Key

Targets

LONDON, Feb. 22 (AP).—

Allied air forces hit Germany at dozens of places with approximately 7,000 planes today. It was the war's biggest and most spectacular bombardment of the Reich.

The onslaught was aimed at knocking out the Nazi communications network serving both the both the eastern and western fronts.

Explosives cascaded upon German targets at the rate of 100 tons per minute.

Spearheading the "buckshot air war”—a new idea mapped by allied air chiefs in readiness for clear weather—more than 1,400 U. S. Fortresses and Liberators and 800 fighters attacked a middle Reich, rectangle the size and shape of

Indiana extending from Hannover on east-ward also to Berlin and from Nuernberg- north to Luebeck bay.

SOVIET TROOPS

BACK IN GUBEN

Soviets Lose Ground To

Nazi Counterattacks

In East Prussia

LONDON, Feb. 22 (AP) —

The Russians again have battered into Guben, German hinge point on the Neisse 51 miles southeast of Berlin, a German military commentator reported today.

Street fighting is going on in the town, he said.

Guben previously was reported bypassed by the Russians, who announced

gains up to the confluence of the Neisse and Oder.

The Germans said last Monday that the Russians had fought into Guben, but were forced to withdraw.

IWO INVASION

NUMBER 4,553

CASUALTIES OF

Japs Hold Reinforced U. S.

Marines Virtually At

Standstill

U. S PACIFIC FLEET HEADQUARTERS,

Guam, Feb 22 (AP) —

(Via Navy Radio)—

United States fleet units in the vicinity of Iwo Jima have sustained some damage

from attacks by Japanese fighters and bombers. Japanese counterattacks have been beaten back and U. S. Marine casualties have risen to 4,553 in the desperate battle for the island. Admnal Chester W Nimitz announced today

The attack by Japanese planes was the first against the surface units since the battle for the island 750 miles south of Tokyo began

Seven of the enemy planes were shot down Nimitz did not elaborate on the extent of damage or the type of  ships hit.

The casualties included 385 killed and 4,168 wounded in action up to 5.45 p m last night.

Resume Offensive

Ameiico.il offensives were resumed toward the central fighter field and toward the Suribachi volcano fortress on the southern tip of the island.

The renewed attacks were launched with the support of the Third Marine Division, poured onto the island yesterday to support the Fourth and Fifth Divisions which had been temporarily halted by bitter Japanese resistance.