Current Events July 1, 1943;

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, JULY 1, 1943:

There will be heavy fighting in the Mediterranean "and elsewhere" before

autumn, Winston Churchill predicted here yesterday.

Winston Churchill gave the world yesterday at least part of the answer

to its most-asked question: "When and where will the invasion be?"

Before the autumn leaves fall, he said, there will be heavy fighting in the

Mediterranean area "and elsewhere."

RAF and USAAF bombers and fighters rounded out yesterday what

was easily the biggest month of the Allied air offensive on Europe by

striking heavy blows at the railways and shipping Adolf Hitler must have

for defense against an invasion.

U.S. forces landed this morning on Rendova Island, only five miles south of the biggest

Japanese air base in the southwest Pacific, at Munda. on New Georgia

island.

     THE STARS AND STRIPES
Daily Newspaper of U.S. Armed Forces In the European Theater of Operations

                New York, N.Y.—London, England Thursday, July 1, 1943

Churchill Promises

Invasion by Autumn

There will be heavy fighting in the Mediterranean "and elsewhere" before

autumn, Winston Churchill predicted here yesterday.

Speaking at a ceremony in the London Guildhall, the Prime Minister cited facts

on recent strengthening of Allied power in the war at sea, June has been the best

month the Allies have known during the 46 months of World War 11, he said, with

more than 40 U-boats destroyed durng May. and scarcely a single merehantmsm ship

sunk in the North Atlantic since the middle of May.

'Invasion Eve' Brings

Riots Strikes to Axis;

40 Subs Sunk in May

Prime Minister Praises USAAF-RAF Air

Offensive and Pledges It Will Follow

Wherever Nazis Shift Industry

Winston Churchill gave the world yesterday at least part of the answer

to its most-asked question: "When and where will the invasion be?"

Before the autumn leaves fall, he said, there will be heavy fighting in the

Mediterranean area "and elsewhere."

Europe was tense on what Rome called "invasion eve." The Axis was

beset with new troubles—disorders in Greece, strikes in Italy—as well as

with the mighty task of preparing for a blow which they did not know

where to expect. The Germans were reported to be clearing the Belgian

coast of civilians, and Danish circles in London heard the Nazis had sown

mines along the Jutland coast to guard against invasion.

Allies Close

Best Month

Of Air War

U.S. Bombers Hit LeMans

As RAF Strikes at

French Railroads

RAF and USAAF bombers and fighters rounded out yesterday what

was easily the biggest month of the Allied air offensive on Europe by

striking heavy blows at the railways and shipping Adolf Hitler must have

for defense against an invasion.

A few hours after Eighth Air Force heavy bombers struck at the railway

and industrial center of Le Mans, Fiance, on Tuesday evening for their

fourth raid in five days, Royal Canadian fighter squadrons in American-built

Mustangs ranged through France shooting up 20 locomotives and other

communications targets.

With one night still to go, the month had been marked by seven Eighth Air

Force raids, including the first penetration of the rich Ruhr valley by U.S. Fortresses,

and 11 night assaults by the RAF, all but two of them concentrated attacks

against the Ruhr and Rhineland.

Three-fold Increase

U.S. Takes Isle

Near Jap Base;

Troops Occupy Rendova,

Within Artillery Range

Of Munda 'Drome

WASHINGTON. June 30 (UP)—

U.S. forces landed this morning on Rendova Island, only five miles south of the biggest

Japanese air base in the southwest Pacific, at Munda. on New Georgia

island. The occupation involved a move by American forces in the Japanese-held

area of the Solomons of about 180 miles. Munda. on which the Japanese have

worked steadily since they occupied New Georgia Island, has been expanded in the

face of constant bombing by American planes. It is easily the most-bombed airfield

in the southwest Pacific.

Knox Advises Planning

For 3 to 4 More Years

CCRONACO, "Cal. June 30 (AP)—

Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, speaking at a meeting of high army, navy

and marine officials, said today that the time was approaching when the United

Nations could put into effect plans for victory.

However, he continued, "for our own success it is better to calculate that the

war will last from three to four years more and take steps to that effect.