Jul. 1, 1944; BRITISH/CANADIAN HOLD ARC AROUND CAEN:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, JULY 1, 1944:

 British and Canadian forces held their 20-mile arc around Caen and broadened the spearhead at Evrecy, about eight miles southwest of Caen, against increasing German counterattacks yesterday.

Hitler's armies on the central front limped west in confused retreat yesterday before the massive weight of a Russian steamroller that in the first six days of the Soviet summer offensive has driven a third of the distance to Germany—a swift 110-mile

advance costing the Germans nearly 20,000 men a day.

 

New York, N.Y.—London, England—France Saturday, July 1, J944

NazisReportNewLanding,

Surge Inland by Troops

Northwest of Caen

British and Canadian forces held their 20-mile arc around Caen and broadened the spearhead at Evrecy, about eight miles southwest of Caen, against increasing German counterattacks yesterday.

Tanks and panzer grenadiers-from five German armored divisions were thrown in to halt the drive southwest of Caen, but the piecemeal attacks were beaten back, and the British captured three villages—Granville, Le Valtru and Le Manoir. between ten and 11 miles southwest of the town.

Meanwhile. Paris Radio said that fresh British and Canadian troops landed east of the Orne Estuary and captured Cabourg, about 17 miles northeast of Caen, and Berlin Radio predicted that the Allies would launch "a grand assault

ai any moment" in this area.

Tell of Big Allied Fleet

"A large invasion fleet is standing ready to reinforce the Allied troops now laying down a terrific barrage east of the Orne.'' a German correspondent in  Normandy reported.

Push Costs

Foe 20,000

Men a Day

110-Mi. Thrust in 6-Days

Takes Russians Third

Of Way to Reich

Hitler's armies on the central front limped west in confused retreat yesterday before the massive weight of a Russian steamroller that in the first six days of the Soviet summer offensive has driven a third of the distance to Germany—a swift 110-mile

advance costing the Germans nearly 20,000 men a day. Minsk, capital of White Russia, and Polotsk, an important communications town on the Vitebsk-Riga railway, were the focal points of the Russian drive, which swept through and past Bobruisk, heavily-fortified communications-town 87 miles southeast of Minsk on the Gomel-Minsk railway.

U.S.Breaks With Finland,

Cites Helsinki-Berlin Tie

WASHINGTON, June 30—

The U.S. broke off" diplomatic relations with Finland today, announcing further relations "are now impossible" since Finland has "entered into a hard and fast military partnership with Nazi Germany."

The break, ending U.S. efforts extending over two years to effect peace between

Finland and Russia, came three days after Finland's government announced that Reich Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop had been in Helsinki and had pledged military aid to the Finns.

The War Today

France-- British and Canadians, in 20-mile arc around Caen, repel increasing German counter-attacks, capture three more villages . . . Four

forts guarding Cherbourg breakwater surrender to Americans . . . Americans attack near St. Lo, says Berlin.

Russia--Soviet armies press drives to outflank Minsk, cut off town's rear communications Bobruisk falls . . . Moscow reports 77,000 Germans dead or prisoners in first four days of summer offensive.

Italy--Germans reported in disorderly retreat to north as Allies advance in Italy on 80-mile front . . .Fifth Army drives to within 18 miles of Leghorn and seven of Siena,

Pacific--Further gains reported by American land troops on Saipan Island'. . . U.S. bombers again hit Yap.

Asia--Chinese advance in Myitkyina area reduces gap between eastward and westward drives to open new supply highway from India to China to

64 miles by road . . . Chinese retake strategic point in Hunan.

June 30, 1944; BRITISH AND CANADIANS SUROUND CAEN:

 THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, JUNE 30, 1944:

 Beating back nine fierce counterattacks by German tanks along the Caen-Tilly front, British and Canadian forces smashed forward yesterday in an arc half-surrounding Caen from the northeast to the southwest to strangle German communications with the strongpoint.

 Rolling back the German armies at a tremendous cost to the Nazis in men and equipment, the Russians drove deep into the enemy's White Russian lines yesterday in a swift broadening of the Soviet summer offensive.

 

New York, N.Y.—London, England—France Friday, June 30, 1944

British,  Canadians

Smash On in Arc

Around City

Beating back nine fierce counterattacks by German tanks along the Caen-Tilly front, British and Canadian forces smashed forward yesterday in an arc half-surrounding Caen from the northeast to the southwest to strangle German communications with the strongpoint.

A murderous four-hour barrage by Allied guns, which fired more than 10.000 shells, broke up the heaviest counter-attack southwest of Caen.

The crack German division which opposed the main British advance southwest of Caen was cut up so badiy that it had to be withdrawn from the line. It was learned at SHAEF that 121 German tanks had been destroyed in Normandy since D-Day and another 171 disabled. Ike Confers With Commanders Meanwhile, a dispatch from Advanced Allied Headquarters reported that Gen. Eisenhower held a series of important conferences this week at his main headquarters with all his commanders, with Prime Minister Churchill also present.

He Pledges the U.S.

To Victory and a

Lasting Peace

CHICAGO, June 29—

With a promise that "a change in administration cannot and will not involve any

Change in the military conduct of the war," Gov. Thomas E. Dewey, of New york, late last night accepted the Republican Presidential nomination find pledged himself to "preserve" the U.S. as "a free nation of free men."

 Addressing the national convention in steaming Chicago after a flight from Albany, Dewey at the outset made clear that. "the military conduct of the war is

outside this campaign. Gen.(George)  C. Marshall and Adm. (Ernest J.) King are doing a superb job. Thank God for both 'of them."

"Let us send this message to our Allies," he said. " The American people are united with you to the limit of our resources and manpower and are devoted to the single task of victory and the establishment of a firm and lasting peace.' "

Drive for Brest-Litovsk,

Vilna Is Developing;

Mogilev Seized

Rolling back the German armies at a tremendous cost to the Nazis in men and equipment, the Russians drove deep into the enemy's White Russian lines yesterday in a swift broadening of the Soviet summer offensive. with Mogilev fallen, last of the Nazi "Fatherland Line" bastions to be overrun, the offensive took on the appearance of a gigantic operation to smash straight to the borders of East

Prussia and into central Poland.

Where earlier in the week Minsk had seemed to be the Russians' next objective, yesterday that key communications point and last Nazi fortress on the central front appeared to be only one part of a grand-scale scheme to entrap the German armies and sweep on to Brest-Litovsk and Vilna—the roads to Warsaw.

Germans Admit Threat

German alarm over the "immensely powerful" drive was only thinly concealed.

"The Russians are all out to force a battle of annihilation on the greatest possible scale on the central front," said Col. Ernst von Hammer, German News Agency commentator. "There can be no other meaning."

Japs' Advance

Costs U.S. Big

China Air Base

Chennault Forced to Pull

Out of Hengyang; Allies

Gain in N. Burma

Maj. Gen. Claire L. Chennault announced in Chungking yesterday that the U.S. 14th Air Force had abandoned its base at Hengyang, the largest in China, as Tokyo Radio claimed that Japanese troops had captured the Hunan Province city, which is also a junction of north-south and east-west railroads.

Loss of the big advance airfield was a serious blow to the whole strategy of Chinese defense against the Japanese invasion. From it U.S. planes had long operated with telling effect against the Japanese^ communication and transport

lines along the Yangtze River and the enemy bases in south China.

Before pulling out, Chennault said, P51s dropped 100-pound bombs on the airfield and destroyed the runways. The Tokyo communique which reported that Hengyang had been occupied three days ago, however, claimed that Japanese already were using the field.

From other bases, U.S. airmen battled to stem the Japanese advance southward from Hengyang along the Hankow-Canton railroad, making concentrated attacks at

a dozen points. Against the embattled Japanese "in northern Burma, meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell's troops scored further successes in their drive from captured Mogaung and destroyed several bunkers ami other strongpoints in Myitkyina.

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June 29, 1944; TANK COUNTER ATTACKS REPELLED:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, JUNE 29, 1944:

ALLIED SUPREME HEADQUARTERS,

London —

British armored forces, charging forward for new gains after beating off

reinforced German counter-attacks in violent tank battles southwest of Caen, broadened their salient across the Odon river today and seized strategic heights overlooking the Nazis' Orne river defense line.

- BULLETIN

LONDON —(U,P) _ Berlin said the Red army reached Sluisk; 60 miles south and slightly west of Minsk, today and Premier Josef Stalin announced that it captured Petrozavodsk, capital of the Karelian Soviet republic, opening the

Murmansk trunk railway

 

MADISON, THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1944

Repel Counter-Attack

in Fierce Tank Fight

Slaughter Relief Units

By VIRGIL PINKET

(United Press War Correspondent)

ALLIED SUPREME HEADQUARTERS,

London —

British armored forces, charging forward for new gains after beating off

reinforced German counter-attacks in violent tank battles southwest of Caen, broadened their salient across the Odon river today and seized strategic heights overlooking the Nazis' Orne river defense line.

The crucial battle of massed tanks turned definitely in favor of the British after their cannon and artillery had shredded German columns of reinforcements pouring up for an attempt to stem the Allied advance.

Striking out over the rolling

farmlands between the Orne and Odon, the British by-passed  a large number of hamlets, wooded areas, and strong points which now are being mopped up.

British Hold Strongpoints

S u p r e m e headquarters revealed that the British firmly hold Tessel-Bretteville, Grain ville, Mondrainville, and Mouen, main strongpoints in the hotly contested

cluster of villages southwest of Caen from which all elements have been driven.

Plank Permits

World Court,

He Declares

Nominee Says

He'll Consult Willkie

on Campaign

*

CHICAGO—(U.P)—

Gov. Thomas E. Dewey of New York, speaking for the first time at a news conference as the Republican presidential candidate, declared today that the foreign policy plank of the new GOP platform ruled out the inclusion of "American boys" in any world police force that is under  "disembodied" international control.

Facing a barrage of questions from 300 newsmen, Dewey took on all comers in a free-style, freehand session, giving his answers tersely, without hesitation.

Reds Smash

35 Miles

from Minsk

BULLETIN

LONDON— (U.P) —

The Red army has captured Bobruisk, key bane at the lower end of the White Russian line, Premier Josef Stalin announced tonight.

- BULLETIN

LONDON —(U,P) _ Berlin said the Red army reached Sluisk; 60 miles south and slightly west of Minsk, today and Premier Josef Stalin announced that it captured Petrozavodsk, capital of the Karelian Soviet republic, opening the

Murmansk trunk railway.

MOSCOW — (U.P)—

Red armies, supported by the greatest aerial onslaught of the war in the east; raced to within 35 miles southeast and 40 miles northeast of the-White Russian fortress of Minsk today and sent a new 4 column spearing toward the Baranowicze gap, historical gateway to Warsaw,

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June 28, 1944; NORMANDY CASUALITYS ANNOUNCED;

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, JUNE 28, 1944:

SUPREME HEADQUARTERS

ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY

FORCE, June 28. (AP) —

 The supreme command the first two weeks of the European invasion cost the Allies 40,549 casualties, including 24,162 Americans killed, wounded and missing

—figures that still do not-in include last week's losses in the Cherbourg assault or the start of the present British offensive in the Caen area.

FRANCE, June 28. (IP)—

Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery's offensive has broken through German infantry defenses on the River Odon and a big tank battle is now blazing in open country within one 'mile northeast of Esquay

 

By Eddy Gilmore

MOSCOW, June 28, (/P)—

Supported by one of the greatest air attacks ever hurled against the Germans, on the Russian front, the Red army closed in from three directions today on Minsk, the capital of White Russia.

 

Lowell Mass. Wednesday June 28 1944

Report on First

Two Weeks of

Normandy Invasion : .

SUPREME HEADQUARTERS

ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY

FORCE, June 28. (AP) —

 The supreme command the first two weeks of the European invasion cost the Allies 40,549 casualties, including 24,162 Americans killed, wounded and missing

—figures that still do not-in include last week's losses in the Cherbourg assault or the start of the present British offensive in the Caen area.

Of the casualty total for the period from June 6 to June 20. inclusive, 5287 were

killed—of which 3082 were Americans, 1842 British and 363 Canadians.

Big Tank

Battle Raging

in France

Monty Offensive

Breaks Through

Infantry Defenses

By Roger Greene

AT TIIE BRITISH FRONT IN

FRANCE, June 28. (IP)—

Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery's offensive has broken through German infantry defenses on the River Odon and a big tank battle is now blazing in open country within one 'mile northeast of Esquay. "The operation is very successful and we hold a very strong corridor across the Odon," a staff officer said.

"We are firmly established along the Villers Bocage-Caen road south of Granville

Sur - Odon, Colleville and Mouen."

Esquay is about midway between the Odon and Orne rivers, south west of Caen.

Reds Close

in on Minsk

Supported by One of

Greatest Air Attacks

By Eddy Gilmore

MOSCOW, June 28, (/P)—

Supported by one of the greatest air attacks ever hurled against the Germans, on the Russian front, the Red army closed in from three directions today on Minsk, the capital of White Russia.

Dispatches .from the front said t h a t probably never before had Stormoviks (dive-bombers) been thrown with such strength and effectiveness against Nazi armored

forces. Hour after hour they were reported searching out Germans tanks plastering them in mass with their flying artillery and blasting the. way for four armies

converging in a great senility in a great semicircle on the gateway city to Warsaw

and Germany/

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June 27, 1944; CHERBOURG ENTERED IN FORCE:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, JUNE 27, 1944:

In a driving rain which failed to extinguish the fires smoldering in the rubble of Cherbourg, American troops entered the city in force yesterday all the way to the waterfront and fought from house to house to clean out the last few fanatical Nazi defenders.

BULLETIN

Marshal. Stalin announced the capture of Vitebsk- last night in a special order

of the day. He said two army groups "carried the town by assault" after encircling five Nazi divisions.

New York, N.Y.—London, England—France Tuesday, June 27, 1944

Organized Resistance

Ends; Victors Smash

Clear to Waterfront

In a driving rain which failed to extinguish the fires smoldering in the rubble of Cherbourg, American troops entered the city in force yesterday all the way to the waterfront and fought from house to house to clean out the last few fanatical Nazi defenders.

All organized resistance in and around Cherbourg ended yesterday morning, said a dispatch from U.S. field headquarters, but .small German pockets continued to offer violent battle in some areas. And the Germans on Cap de la Hague, northwest of Cherbourg, shelled the western part of the city heavily to harass the occupying troops.

Although the Americans moved into the city and German propagandists, admitting its loss, put in a feverish day attempting to minimize the defeat, there still was no formal reply by the Prussian commandant, Gen. Karl Wilhelm von Schlieben, to Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley's demands for an unconditional surrender.

Diehard Nazis fought on to the death in little groups of six to 20 in concrete pillboxes along the beach and in houses and other buildings. U.S. tanks helped the infantry mop up these nests. 3,400 Prisoners Seized

The satellite troops surrendered by the hundreds, however, and more than 3,400

prisoners were taken in the 24 hours up to 6 AM, bringing the count for the

whole Normandy campaign to more than 20,000. One U.S. regiment took 300 captives in 30 minutes.

Vitebsk Falls to Russian Army

5 Divisions

Trapped by

Soviet Push

BULLETIN

Marshal. Stalin announced the capture of Vitebsk- last night in a special order

of the day. He said two army groups "carried the town by assault" after encircling five Nazi divisions.

Smashing forward toward the Baltic with overwhelming power, the Red Army yesterday cut off the White Russian fortress of Vitebsk and its garrison of five Nazi divisions, seized half the city in bitter street fighting and simultaneously

widened jsix great gaps along 200 miles of,- the enemy's "Fatherland line" in a giant offensive that Moscow reported had cost the Germans 16,000 dead in three days.

The War Today

France--Americans enter Cherbourg in force all {he way to water front . • • all organized German resistance ends but defense pockets hold out in fight,' to death. .Fort du Roule taken by| storm . . . British gain in attack on Caer sector.

Russia--Red Army captures Vitebsk, traps five  divisions pushes on to out flank rest of Hitler bastions in White Russia. . . . Moscow says 16,000 enemy killed in three days.

Pacific—Japs lose 747 planes, 30 ships sunk 51 damaged two probably sunk in attempting to defend Marianas and Bonin Islands,

Adm. Chester W. Nimitz announces. . . .Capture of Jap strongpoint on Saipan

Island reported.

Italy--_Allies occupy west coast port of J Piombino, 38 miles from Leghorn.. . . Fifth Army strikes toward Siena as Eighth battles for Chiusi, Nazi strongpoint in central mountains.

Air Force--Vienna reported raided by, Italian .based U-S heavies as weather grounds British-based war-planes.

____________________________________

June 26, 1944;

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, JUNE 26, 1944

ALLIED SUPREME HEADQUARTERS,

London —

The final battle of Cherbourg reached the mop-up stage today as American, forces weeded out isolated nests of German resistance in street fighting of greatly reduced intensity after seizing the entire eastern part of the city and smashing straight through its heart to the waterfront.

:

 

MADISON, MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1944

Seize East Part,

Drive to Harbor,

Ferret Diehards

All Units Advance;

British Open Attack

in Sector of Tilly

By VIRGIL PDfKLEY '

(United Press Correspondent) '

ALLIED SUPREME HEADQUARTERS,

London —

The final battle of Cherbourg reached the mop-up stage today as American, forces weeded out isolated nests of German resistance in street fighting of greatly reduced intensity after seizing the entire eastern part of the city and smashing straight through its heart to the waterfront.

Cherbourg is not yet fully and officially occupied, supreme headquarters reported late today, but all attacking United States divisions have advanced their forward

elements deep into we city.

Reds Take Vitebsk,
 White Russia Base

LONDON — (U.P) —

The Red army today captured Vitebsk, great While Russian fortress city where five German divisions were trapped, to score the first major victory of its new summer offensive synchronized with the. Allied campaigns in the west and south.

Premier Josef Stalin issued a special order of the day announcing the capture of Vitebsk! fortified German hedgehog base commanding all of upper White Russia, a single day after two Russian forces had sliced in behind the city and completed its encirclement.

Two Red armies joined in storming Vitebsk and crushing the 50,000 lo 75,000 German troops caught bySoviet trap.

Stalin's order hailing the victors at Vitebsk was addressed to Gen. Ivan C. Bagramian of the First Baltic army and, Gen. Ivan D. Cerniakhovsky of the Third White Russian army, which clamped the pincers on the city of 167,000.

The Red army's general summer offensive 285-mile was spreading along battle lines to clamp a stranglehold on Vitebsk, outflank. Orsha, and threaten Mogilev and Bobruisk, keystones of the' defense of White Russia.

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June 25, 1944; AMERICAN SHOCK TROOPS CLOSE IN ON CHERBOURG

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY JUNE 25, 1944:

SUPREME  HEADQUARTERS. ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY  FORCE.

June 25.—(Sunday)—(/P)—
 American shock troops, steadily closing in on Cherbourg, are less than two miles from the heart of the scarred city, and despite fierce German resistance, "each link in the chain of. defenses is being systematically destroyed," Headquarters Communique No. 38 announced late last night.

U. S. PACIFIC FLEET HEADQUARTERS.

P E A R L HARBOR.

June 24.—M')—

The sinking of five additional Japanese ships and destruction of 72 enemy planes by American carrier bombers and fighters, was reported today by Adm. Chester W. Nimitz.

LONDON. June 25.—Sunday—(AP)

Two mighty Red armies are closing pincers from the north and south of Vitebsk in White Russia and the Gennau-fortified town already is threatened with encirclement.

Moscow said early today.

 

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1944

Nazi Sea Escape Attempt

From Doomed Cherbourg

Foiled by British Vessels

Picture on Page 11

By GLADWIN HILL

SUPREME  HEADQUARTERS. ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY  FORCE.

June 25.—(Sunday)—(/P)—

American shock troops, steadily closing in on Cherbourg, are less than two miles from the heart of the scarred city, and despite fierce German resistance, "each link in the chain of. defenses is being systematically destroyed," Headquarters Communique No. 38 announced late last night.

Front dispatches said American troops attacking in the center of the semi-circular

front around Cherbourg were within 2000 yards of the city after overwhelming a formidable concrete barrier in the southern outskirts and finding only four bomb-dazed Germans alive in a mound of dead.

The first German attempt to flee by sea from the doomed city was smashed by British light coastal forces, headquarters disclosed.

"Two enemy vessels were destroyed and three more believed sunk," out of an escorted convoy of seven small ships, the communique said.

PLANES' TARGETS ' -

The ships presumably were carrying key technicians and the undamaged vessels sought refuge at Alderncy Island off the northwest tip of the Cherbourg peninsula, where Allied planes or heavier Allied naval forces apparently will finish them off.

5 JAP SHIPS SUNK,

72 PLANES SHOT

DOWN BY YANKS

By LEIF ERICKSON

U. S. PACIFIC FLEET HEADQUARTERS.

P E A R L HARBOR.

June 24.—M')—

The sinking of five additional Japanese ships and destruction of 72 enemy planes by American carrier bombers and fighters, was reported today by Adm. Chester W. Nimitz.

The admiral’s": communique said a speedy Yank .task force sent it’s planes against J a p a n e s e island strongholds w t t h i n 800 miles of Tokyo in a series of aerial smashes designed to neutralize Nippon air power within easy range of Amcrican-

invaded Saipan.

The planes were from the powerful task force that earlier in the week ranged far westward to beat strong Japanese fleet units.

The latest reported aerial strikes canted American sky fighters over two islands in the Karati group south of the Boning and over Tinian. Paga  and Rota in the Marianas.

The Yanks lost five fighters.

Russ Pincers

Closing On

Nazi Bastion

By TOM YARRROUGII

LONDON. June 25.—Sunday—(AP)

Two mighty Red armies are closing pincers from the north and south of Vitebsk in White Russia and the Gennau-fortified town already is threatened with encirclement.

Moscow said early today. More than 5500 Germans were killed in this area as Soviet infantry fought its way forward with the massed support of artillery and

aircraft, the Russians asserted. In closing in around the Nazi fortress. Hitler's closest remaining outpost to Moscow. Red troops made two new bieak-throughs in Nazi defenses to the south, advanced forward up to 25 miles in the north and lengthened the whole central fighting front to approximately ISO miles.

900 LIBERATORS

More than 900 places were liberated in fighting on all fronts yesterday, including more than 200 which had been held by the Finns in the lake region to the north..

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