THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, JULY 5, 1943:
Eighth Air Force heavy bombers struck a three-pronged blow at
U-boat bases and industrial areas in France yesterday on the anniversary
of the first American air attack on Europe a year ago.
Striking across the channel a few hours after the RAF had pounded
Cologne again at a cost of 32 bombers, the Americans hammered at factories
in Le Mans, 110 miles southwest of Paris, and in Nantes on the French coast,
and blasted U-boat pens at La Pallice on the Bay of Biscay.
At picnics and at religious services, in English homes and at Army installations,
American soldiers in the ETO yesterday joined United States citizens throughout
the world in observing the 167th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration
of Independence.
American Marines paved the way for the successful landing
operations jn New Georgia, it was disclosed today.
The "Leathernecks" landed several days ago and played a grim game of
"hide-and-seek" with Japanese outposts until the main invasion forces could be
landed some time later.
Natives Warring With Japs
As the ships came inshore light began to twinkle here and there along the dark
beaches. The American forces had found allies—the natives of New Georgia who.
after several months of Japanese rule, had decided that the only good Japs were
dead Japs.
THE STARS AND STRIPES
Daily Newspaper of U.S. Armed Forces in the European Theater of Operations
New York, N.Y.—London, England Monday, July 5, 1943
U.S. Bombers Hit Nazi Targets
In France on Anniversary Raid;
RAF Smashes Again at Cologne
British Strike Twice
In Week at Reich's
Third City
Eighth Air Force heavy bombers struck a three-pronged blow at
U-boat bases and industrial areas in France yesterday on the anniversary
of the first American air attack on Europe a year ago.
Striking across the channel a few hours after the RAF had pounded
Cologne again at a cost of 32 bombers, the Americans hammered at factories
in Le Mans, 110 miles southwest of Paris, and in Nantes on the French coast,
and blasted U-boat pens at La Pallice on the Bay of Biscay.
Eight bombers are missing.
All three formations reported excellent visibility and good bombing results.
Fighter opposition was weak at Le Mans and La Pallice, but the formation which
hit Nantes was attacked by enemy fighters after leaving the target and
fought a running battle 50 miles out to sea.
Spitfires Get Two FW190s
Allies Celebrate
Fourth of July
ETO Program Stresses
U.S. Friendship With
United Nations
At picnics and at religious services, in English homes and at Army installations,
American soldiers in the ETO yesterday joined United States citizens throughout
the world in observing the 167th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration
of Independence.
The fourth Independence Day since World War II began was celebrated in
Britain without the traditional fireworks and elaborate programs of peace-lime in
the States. Typical of the American a t t i t u d e was a message to the troops by
Lt. Gen. Jacob L. Devers, ETO commander, who said
"In commemorating this day no American is looking backward. The 13
states which declared their independence in 1776 have grown into a nation of 48
states, the flag of which is now side by side with the Union Jack and the flags
of other nations in a struggle for the freedom of the world.''
Natives Aided Marines Paving Way
By Walter Tyree
United Press War Correspondent
ADVANCED BASE, South Pacific,
July 2 (delayed)—
American Marines paved the way for the successful landing
operations jn New Georgia, it was disclosed today.
The "Leathernecks" landed several days ago and played a grim game of
"hide-and-seek" with Japanese outposts until the main invasion forces could be
landed some time later.
In the middle of the night this advance unit, which had one of the most dangerous
tasks of the whole war in penetrating a Japanese-held island in the face of
unknown strength, swept across the strait which separates Guadalcanal from New
Georgia, and nosed inwards to a sandy lagoon almost entirely surrounded by a
coral reef.
The Japanese apparently had sensed this impudent invasion for their planes
were up over the stretch of water between the two islands, searching everywhere
for the ships somewhere on the dark waters beneath. They never found them.
Natives Warring With Japs
As the ships came inshore light began to twinkle here and there along the dark
beaches. The American forces had found allies—the natives of New Georgia who.
after several months of Japanese rule, had decided that the only good Japs were
dead Japs.
"When we got ashore and made contact with them," reports one of the two correspondents who accompanied this landing force, "we found that the natives
had already .been having a little private war with the Japanese without waiting
for us to arrive.
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