Current Events December 26, 1943;

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY DECEMBER 26, 1943:

Uranium Bomb Could Change Course of War

In connection with Germany's more and more pressing situation on the various battle fronts, the eleventh hour  possibility that the Germans may introduce a hitherto unknown weapon capable of changing the fortunes of war is being discussed.

Many German leaders, especially after the severe allied air attacks this fall, have declared that the introduction of such a new weapon is only a question of time.

 Japanese airmen have intensified their attacks on the Gilberts in the last few days/ and it appeared tonight they are attempting to neutralize American air strength in the newly-captured central Pacific
island chain.

 A smashing air assault on the huge Jap base at Rabaul, New Britain, by escorted heavy bombers during
which 30 enemy fighter planes were shot down and another six probably destroyed was announced
today by General Douglas Mac-Arthur.

 
 Long Beach, California, Sunday, December 26, 1943


Noted Swedish Scientist Discusses
Possible 'Secret Weapon' Nazis Claim
By DR. KAI SIEGBAHN
Noted Swedish Scientist, Member of the Swedish Academy of Science
(Copyright 1943. by International News Service)
STOCKHOLM, Dec. 25.—.(INS)—
In connection with Germany's more and more pressing situation on the various battle fronts, the eleventh hour  possibility that the Germans may introduce a hitherto unknown weapon capable of changing the fortunes of war is being discussed.
Many German leaders, especially after the severe allied air at tacks this fall, have declared that the introduction of such a new weapon is only a question of time.
It goes without saying that this weapon, if able essentially to affect the fate of the war, must.have qualities hitherto unknown. The construction of a new gun or a new type of aircraft is not enough.
Guesses concerning the new secret weapon" have been many.
They have mentioned guns with rockets weighing 30 tons and able to reach a distance of 200 kilometers
(about 125 miles).
Special interest has also been expressed in the so called uranium bomb. This idea is of special significance
because it represents the first time man has seriously thought of the possibility of devoting the gigantic energy supply bound up in atoms to human destruction.-----

 Enemy Attempts to
Neutralize Highly
Strategic Chain
PEARL HARBOR, Dec. 25. —
(INS)—
Japanese airmen have intensified their attacks on the Gilberts in the last few days/ and it appeared tonight they are attempting to neutralize American air strength in the newly-captured central Pacific
island chain.
Enemy planes struck at Makin and Arawe atolls Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, a communique issued by Adm. Chester W. Nimitz announced today. The communique also reported American
raids against . Nauru, 400 miles west of the Gilberts, and  the Jap held Marshalls.

 MacArthur Flyers Knock Down 30 Jap
Planes in Big Air Raid on Rabaul
 G E N E R A L MacARTHUR'S
HEADQUARTERS, New Guinea,
Dec. 26. (Sunday) — (INS) —
A smashing air assault on the huge Jap base at Rabaul, New Britain, by escorted heavy bombers during
which 30 enemy fighter planes were shot down and another six probably destroyed was announced
today by General Douglas Mac-Arthur.
Fifty tons of bombs were dropped on the Lakunai airdrome at Ihe southeast end of Simpson harbor, the communique said, four allied fighter planes being lost in the raid.
 At the same time, allied attack planes struck at -enemy shipping near Gasmat a on the island's south shore and sank a Jap coastal vessel loaded with troops.
Off the Vitu islands, a night air patrol scored a direct hit on an enemy destroyer while a day reconnaissance plane bombed Garove Island.