Current Events March 3, 1943; ALLIED TROOPS PUSHING BACK IN TUNISIA / 12 MORE JAPANESE SHIPS SUNK IN PACIFIC / GERMANS EVACUATING AREA NORTH OF MOSCOW:

STATESVILLE DAILY RECORD

    STATESVILLE, N. C., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1943

ALLIES Threaten Vital Faid Pass

Allied Troops Push

Ahead On Central

Tunisian Front

Observers Say They Have

Good Chance To Regain

Their Former Positions

Without Major

Fight.

By UNITED PRESS

American and British troops driving ahead in Central Tunisia,

have moved into position threatening the vital Axis line at Faid

Pass.

Today's Allied communique says Anglo-American forces are fighting it

out south and southeast of recaptured Sheitla In drives apparently

aimed at both Faid and Sidi Bou Zld.

The Allied troops are pushing back into territory they had abandoned

at the start of Nazi Marshal Rommel's recent offensive.

ALLIES SINK

OR DAMAGE 12

MORE JAP SHIPS

IN PACIFIC AREA

United Nations Air Forces

Weaken Japan's

Sea Power By Raining

Out Heavy Blows.

By UNITED PUE8K

Allied sea and air forces have further weakened Japan sea

power by sinking or damaging a total of more than a dozen whips

in the Pacific:

In one of the most spectacular raids of the war, General Mac-

Arthur's fliers smashed a powerful

Japanese convoy of 14 whips off Northeast New Guinea.

Bucking tropical winds and rain, the Allied airmen scattered

the convoy. Two big ships were definitely sunk. Two more were

severely damaged. And hits were made on the remnants of the

fleet that included seven Jap warships.

News of the operations in the New Guinea area came only a few

hours after the Navy revealed that American submarines have

sunk five more Jap supply ships and damaged two others.

The Navy says three medium sized cargo vessels, one tanker,

and a small schooner were sent to the bottom in the Pacific and

Far East area.

BERLIN REPORTS

NAZI EVACUATION

OF CENTRAL FRONT

TOWN OF RZHEV

Evacuation Leaves the

City Of Vyazma, To

the South, Wide Open

To Attack.

By UNITED PRESS

The Germans have been forced to flee from another of the great

bases which anchored their winter line in Russia.

The Nazi High Command announced today that German rear

guards, during the night, evacuated Rzhev, 130 miles west and

slightly north of Moscow.

Berlin claims that the retreating Nazis blew up the Volga River

bridges leading into the town as they moved out.

Rzhev, at the forefront of a German salient pointed dagger-,

like at the Russian capital, stood throughout the great Russian winter

offensive of last year. Hitler once warned his troops that the

loss of Rzhev would be equal to--- (surrender of the area)