Current Events August 3, 1943;

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, AUGUST 3, 1943:

Allied troops racing to deliver the knockout blow in the battle of Sicily were officially credited today with smashing through the center of the enemy's 55-mile Mt. Etna defense line, capturing at least five more strategic towns, and Americans wiped out

a bulge of 70 square miles.

American jungle troops have reached the eastern edge of Munda airfield; advancing from 500 to 1,200 yards with flame-throwers, tanks and artillery,

and the weakening Japanese; garrison may succumb soon, aj

field dispatch said today.

Rumanian and German fire fighting services are battling a great fire which has been raging in the entire petroleum area near Ploestl hit Sunday by American Liberator

bombers, according to the first eyewitness account reaching neutral Turkey today.

                   The Charleston Daily Mail

CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA. TUESDAY EVENING. AUGUST ; 3. 1943

Allies Pierce Sicily Line, Axis Crumbling

5 Towns Captured

As Yanks Erase

Bulge of 70 Miles

Troops Race to Deal Knockout Blow

As Italians Admit Mighty Assault;

Prisoners Now Past 90,000 Mark

By The Associated PRESS

Allied troops racing to deliver the knockout blow in the battle of Sicily were officially credited today with smashing through the center of the enemy's 55-mile Mt. Etna defense line, capturing at least five more strategic towns, and Americans wiped out

a bulge of 70 square miles.

Axis defenses appeared to be crumbling rapidly. "Our troops, fighting hard, are forcing their way through rugged and road-less country," the Allied command announced.

Yanks Pin

Munda Foe

Against Sea

Japs Retreat for

Death Stand Under

Flame Gun Attack

ALLIED HEADQUARTERS

'Southwest Pacific (UP).—

American jungle troops have reached the eastern edge of Munda airfield; advancing from 500 to 1,200 yards with flame-throwers, tanks and artillery,

and the weakening Japanese; garrison may succumb soon, aj

field dispatch said today.

A spokesman at South Pacific headquarters reported the Americans had stormed forward for their biggest advance from the east through tough .beach defenses,

while other units had occupied part of Bibolo hill, a mile north of the landing field.

The attack to (tel»???) the New Georgia now in the central (8«lotnoit*???)

to In the final phase the spokesman said. The Japanese apparently were making a death stand without attempting a general retreat.

Pleosti Fire

Crews Busy

Great Blaze Rages

In Petroleum Area

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) —

Rumanian and German fire fighting services are battling a great fire which has been raging in the entire petroleum area near Ploestl hit Sunday by American Liberator

bombers, according to the first eyewitness account reaching neutral Turkey today.

The latest information was that seven United States Liberators participating in the raid were forced down In Turkey, while an eighth was reported to havecrashed in the sea near enough to the Turkish shore for the crew to make its way to land in rubber boats. All the crews were interned.