June 18, 1944;

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, JUNE 18, 1944:

 PEARL HARBOR—

 Veteran United States Marines and army doughboys, battling across the cane fields of Saipan against two Japanese divisions, have improved their positions and are driving toward Aslito airfield, only four hours' flying time from Tokyo,

ROME —

Veteran French Commandos and colonials, supported by American, British and French warships and planes, invaded Napoleon's exile island of Elba early Saturday morning and last night they were reported charging inland at several points against strong German resistance.

Coshocton, Ohio    June 18, 1944

By WILLIAM T. TYREE

United Press Correspondent

PEARL HARBOR—

Veteran United States Marines and army doughboys, battling across the cane fields of Saipan against two Japanese divisions, have improved their positions and are driving toward Aslito airfield, only four hours' flying time from Tokyo, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz announced yesterday.

While the leathernecks and army troops moved forward against 20,000 to 30,000 enemy troops defending the island, battleships and cruisers of one of Admiral Nimitz' great naval task forces bombarded Guam, Japanese held American isle 111 miles to the south.

American aircraft carriers at the same time repulsedma Japanese torpedo plane attack in the spreading battle of the Marianas. No damage was caused to American

ships in this enemy raid. ' ,

For the first time Nimitz disclosed that leathernecks and doughboys had stormed the beaches of Saipan together, the invaders now were firmly established on Saipan

after a bitter opening see-saw -battle. Aslito ,air field is two miles east of Agingan point at the extreme southern end of Saipan.

New aerial attacks were delivered against the Kurile islands north of Japan. Eleventh army air force Liberators bombed Matsuwa, Paramushiru and Shimushiru Wednesday.

French Troops

Seize Islands, Aid

Allies in Italy

5th and 8th Armies

Advance 100 Miles

Northwest of Rome

By REYNOLDS PACKARD

United Press Correspondent

ROME —

Veteran French Commandos and colonials, supported by American, British and French warships and planes, invaded Napoleon's exile island of Elba early Saturday morning and last night they were reported charging inland at several points against strong German resistance.

Another French force meanwhile seized the tiny triangular island of Pianosa, 14 miles off the southwestern tip of Elba and 28 miles east of Corsica, while on the Italian mainland Allied 5th and 8^th army troops swept forward from the Adriatic to the Tyrrhenian sea and reached a point 100 miles northwest of Rome.

The French invaders presumably struck across the 35-mile wide strait separating Elba from Corsica.

ejt