THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY MAY 5, 1943
American forces, smashing forward from captured Mateur last night,
were approaching Ferryville, the arsenal town lying on the southern side
of Bizerta Lake and only ten miles from the port of Bizerta itself.
The French Africa Corps also made considerable progress yesterday in
the same area, in close cooperation with American troops, according to u
communique read last night over Algiers radio.
The United States Navy reported in Washington yesterday that American
troops have, occupied and are fortifying Russell Island, near Guadalcanal.
Seven airmen, stranded on the west coast of
Greenland for five months after their plane crashed, have reached safety after one of
the most remarkable rescue operations of the war."
American ship losses decreased last month,
Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox declared today at a press conference.
"The ship sinking rate for April was low compared with that of March," Knox
said, "peak production in ships and aircraft has now been reached and deliveries
last month established new records.
THE STARS AND STRIPES
Daily Newspaper of U.S. Armed Forces in the European Theater of Operations
New York, N.Y.—London, England Wednesday, May 5, 1943
Americans Speed On Toward Ferryville
Rapidity of Advance
Indicates Foe Unable
To Lay Mine Fields
French in North Also Make Big Gains
As Americans Near Arsenal Town
Ten Miles South of Bizerta
American forces, smashing forward from captured Mateur last night,
were approaching Ferryville, the arsenal town lying on the southern side
of Bizerta Lake and only ten miles from the port of Bizerta itself.
The French Africa Corps also made considerable progress yesterday in
the same area, in close cooperation with American troops, according to u
communique read last night over Algiers radio.
All along the vital northern front the enemy appeared to be falling back,
and the speed of the Allied advance indicated that the Axis forces had not
had the time to lay the usual large number of mines.
North of Bizerta Lake, other units were moving down the Sedjenane
Valley, scene of bitter fighting earlier in
the campaign. On the coast, French irregulars were reported
within 15 miles of Bizerta.
Helps First Army
Yanks Seize
Island Near
Guadalcanal
Explains Heavy Spit
Losses Due to Bad
Weather, Not Zeros
The United States Navy reported in Washington yesterday that American
troops have, occupied and are fortifying Russell Island, near Guadalcanal.
There was no hint in the official statement of the type of fortifications
being built, but study of available maps indicated that the island would
lend itself to the construction of "flight strip" landing fields to afford”
additional fighter protection for Guadalcanal.The Navy announcement said the occupation had been carried out in February, "some time after enemy resistance ceased
on Guadalcanal."
Occupation- of Russell Island has extended the American zone of opera-
ions to the northeast of Guadalcanal in a general campaign to throw the Japs
off their South Pacific holdings in preparation for an attack on the Japanese
mainland.
Explain Spitfire Losses
Balchen Rescues 7 U.S. Fliers
Stuck in Greenland 5 Months
Uses Plane and Dog Sled
To Remove Fort Crew
From Ice Cap
WASHINGTON, May 4 (UP)—Seven airmen, stranded on the west coast of
Greenland for five months after their plane crashed, have reached safety after one of
the most remarkable rescue operations of the war."
The fliers, members of the crew of an American Flying Fortress, were rescued,
after several other attempts had failed, by Col. Bernt Balchen, famous airman and
explorer, who already had carried out two daring rescues from the ice of Greenland.
The airmen's story was revealed last night when President Roosevelt called '
three of the survivors to the White House to hear their account of their adventures.
Two members of the crew died on the icecaps.
Three men who tried to rescue them were killed.
Distress Call by Radio
U.S. Sea Losses
Down in April,
Knox Declares
New Shipping Records
Were Established
Last Month
WASHINGTON, May 4 (UP)—American ship losses decreased last month,
Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox declared today at a press conference.
"The ship sinking rate for April was low compared with that of March," Knox
said, "peak production in ships and aircraft has now been reached and deliveries
last month established new records." Speaking of the U-boat sinkings, he
said, "just how long the low sinkings will continue 1 don't know. They may go up
in May." He said that the number of fighters delivered to the Navy ran into
four figures for the first time in April.
The number of attacks on enemy submarines 'has also increased, Knox added,
as the result of more escort vessels and better air cover.
The use of helicopters to protect merchant ships was still experimental, he said.
At this stage they still lack maneuvering power and are very difficult to control.
Nazis Admit Fewer Losses
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