Current Events July 4, 1943;

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, JULY 4, 1943:

American naval forces in the central Solomons engaged a Japanese

task force of seven warships attempting to bombard U. S. positions

on Rendova and drove the enemy ships off in "short order."

the navy announced Saturday.

A great convoy recently crossed the Atlantic

under a shore to shore air cover of land based and carrier planes

and one submarine was destroyed, another probably sunk and others

"may have been damaged," the admiralty and air ministry announced.

A reinforced surface escort also helped shepherd the ships through

the latest victory in the battle of the Atlantic.

The rapidly-expanding fleet will result in the addition of 500,000 in navy

personnel in the first half of 1944, the War Manpower Commission

(WMC) has revealed.

WMC officials said there probably would be no appreciable in-

crease in the army's size during the first six months of next year.

    SUNDAY JOURNAL TIMES BULLETIN

                           RACINE, WIS., SUNDAY, JULY 4, 1943.

Parade Highlights Racine Celebration

Jap Warships Driven Off in Solomons Duel

Record Number

Participates in

Annual Event

6 in 10 Families Have Bought

Bonds and Stamps, Survey Finds

Racine's 1943 Goodwill Fourth of July celebration, seventh annual event

of its kind to be held in the city, will lack none of the color of its predecessors

despite wartime restrictions that have confronted the committee at every turn.

Enemy Foiled

In Attempt to

Shell Rendova

WASHINGTON —(UP)—

American naval forces in the central Solomons engaged a Japanese

task force of seven warships attempting to bombard U. S. positions

on Rendova and drove the enemy ships off in "short order."

the navy announced Saturday.

The engagement, fought in the darkness of night, was the first

action reported between opposing naval surface forces since the

Allies began their twin drive on the central Solomons and Japanese-

held areas of New Guinea. Three light cruisers and four

destroyers were in the enemy force. They apparently were trying

to prevent consolidation of American positions on Rendova

for the anticipated assault on the Munda airfield, five miles across

the channel.

                                                          Retired in Haste.

Planes Guard

Big Convoy

LONDON.—(AP)

A great convoy recently crossed the Atlantic

under a shore to shore air cover of land based and carrier planes

and one submarine was destroyed, another probably sunk and others

"may have been damaged," the admiralty and air ministry announced.

A reinforced surface escort also helped shepherd the ships through

the latest victory in the battle of the Atlantic, a lengthy communique said.

Attacked by Sub.

Submarine made a series of attacks over a period of two days,

but the convoy was undeterred. In the first stage of the journey,

Hudson, Ventura, Liberator and Catalina planes of the royal Canadian

air force of the eastern command protected the ships. Liberators,

Sunderlands and Halifaxes of the RAF coastal command

took over on the approaches to Britain.

Navy to Be Increased

By 500,000 Men in'44

WASHINGTON.—(AP)—

The rapidly-expanding fleet will result in the addition of 500,000 in navy

personnel in the first half of 1944, the War Manpower Commission

(WMC) has revealed.

WMC officials said there probably would be no appreciable in-

crease in the army's size during the first six months of next year.

The total strength of the armed forces now is 9,300,000 Government

sources have indicated this figure will increase to 10,800,000

by the end of 1943 and the boost in navy personnel will bring the

total to 11,300,000 by July. 1944.