Current Events February 11, 1944;

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY FEBRUARY 11, 1944:

GENERAL MACARTHUR'S

HEADQUARTERS, New Guinea, Feb. 11.—(Friday)— (INS) —

The annihilation of nearly 14,000 Japanese in the battle of the Huon peninsula was announced today by Gen. Douglas MacArthur as Australian and American, jungle troops joined forces to wipe out enemy resistance on the strategic New Guinea peninsula.

 

LONDON, Feb. 11.— (Friday) —(INS) —

Great f o r  m a t i o n s of American bombers and fighters, pacing a fresh assault on Europe climaxed by a Fortress blow at the aircraft center of Brunswick in central Germany, shot down at least 86 nazi interceptors yesterday in fierce air battles.

                                       Long Beach, California, Friday, February 11, 1944

MacArthur Bares

Scope of Victory in

Steaming Jungles

GENERAL MACARTHUR'S

HEADQUARTERS, New Guinea, Feb. 11.—(Friday)— (INS) —

The annihilation of nearly 14,000 Japanese in the battle of the Huon peninsula was announced today by Gen. Douglas MacArthur as Australian and American, jungle troops joined forces to wipe out enemy resistance on the strategic New Guinea peninsula.

The Yanks and Aussies, Completing a 150 mile pursuit of Jap forces trapped on the peninsula following the alled occupation of Finschhafen, accomplished a juncture yesterday morning at Saidor at the north end of the peninsula.

The battle, lasting many weeks, was fought over some of the world's most difficult terrain in the steaming mountain jungles on the northeast coast of New Guinea.

The Australian infantrymen, relentlessly pursuing the trapped Japanese after the fall of Finschhafen, crossed scores of rivers and streams to reach the Americans who had landed at Saidor. Jungle mud created by torrential tropical downpours slowed progress of the Allied units but did not keep them . bogged down for long.

The great bulk of the Japs slain constituted an entire enemy division. They composed enemy units in the 79th. 80th and 238th infantryregiments, the 26th field artillery----

Down 86 German

Planes, Lose 37

LONDON, Feb. 11.— (Friday) —(INS) —

Great f o r  m a t i o n s of American bombers and fighters, pacing a fresh assault on Europe climaxed by a Fortress blow at the aircraft center of Brunswick in central Germany, shot down at least 86 nazi interceptors yesterday in fierce air battles.

The Eighth United States air force, it was announced early today, emerged from the cyclonic sky struggle with 29 four engine Fortress and Liberator heavy

bombers and eight fighters missing for a total loss of 37 planes.