Current Events March 23 1943; AMERICANS AND THE BRITISH EIGHTH ARMY SURROUND ROMMEL / RUSSIAN ARMY SMASHES GERMANY IN DONETS RIVER BASIN / BERLIN & TOKYO SPOUT JUSTICE AND ETERNAL PEACE / R. A. F. AIRMEN BLAST ST. NAZIARE:

      The Portsmouth Herald

PORTSMOUTH, N. H., TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 23,1943

YANKS GRAB MAKNASSY

HEAD FOR AXIS DEFENSES

British 8th Sweeps

Many Miles Inside

Vital Mareth Line

Prisoner Toll Mounts

As Allies Repulse Foe

Allied Headquarters in North Africa, March 23 (AP)

American armored forces have captured Maknassy in a

slash toward the sea to cut Axis communications, an Allied

Headquarters communique announced today, and field reports

said parts of the British Eighth army had swept in a

wide arc around the Mareth line and were now many miles

inside it.

While the Americans, under Lt. Gen. George S. Patton,

Jr., stabbed to within less than 34 miles of the Gulf of

Gabes, continuing east past Maknassy, other forces of

Gen. Sir Bernard L Montgomery's Eighth army swung a

mighty frontal blow at Marshal Erwin Rommeh's Mareth

line.

The communique said the operations there were going

ahead on schedule despite a bitter contest being put

up by Axis forces which yesterday attempted a powerful

counterattack. This was repulsed. The announcement said

1,700 Axis prisoners were captured in this operation by

midday yesterday.

The force which swung in a sweeping movement around the southwestern

flank of the-Mareth line now faced a' strong' German, .cancentra-'

tioin.of "tanks "and" artillery at El Hamma, "20 miles directly west of Gabes.

Surging Russian Army

Smashes Nearer Smolensk

Moscow, March 23 (AP)— Battling

numerically superior forces of Germans who continue to

pour up to the front in long columns, the Red army of the

Northern Donets pushed back every German effort to cross the

waterway in force, while on the central front the Russians continued

to drive toward Smolensk, it was announced today.

The Chuguev and Belgorod sectors still were the centers of the most

violent fighting In the Donets area, the Germans employing Increasing

numbers of infantry behind their mass tank and plane attacks, but

there was no serious, denting of the Soviet line. Along the long river

front the Soviets continued to hold several positions on the western

bank.

Nazis Hurled Back

Berlin, Tokyo Spout

News Of Axis Parley On

Justice, Eternal Peace'

(By the Associated Press)

The Berlin and Tokyo radios announced with enthusiasm last night

completion of conferences in Tokyo by representatives of Germany,

Japan and Italy, at which, it was said, complete agreement had been

reached on "creation of a new world' order based on justice and

guaranteeing eternal world peace."

The broadcasts were recorded by the Associated Press.

While Premier Hideki Tojo was reported to have participated

in the talks, the absence of any special envoys from the

European Axis powers made It appear that little more than

routine diplomatic exchange actually had taken place.

At the same time Axis and neutral sources indicated the diplomatic-

pot was boiling in Europe, where German and Italian committees

were working out details of a German draft on Italy's manpower

and Premier Mussolini was reported to have summoned Vichy

Chief-of-Government Pierre Laval to a conference on strained relations

between their two countries.

RAF Airmen Batter St. Nazaire

In Wake Of Wilhelmshaven Blast

London, March 23 (AP)—Squadrons of the RAF's big

bombers smashed at the German submarine base at St.

Nazaire .last night in the wake of a heavy assault on Wilhelmshaven

by American Flying Fortresses and Liberators

yesterday afternoon.

British Whirlwind fighter bombers also blasted railway

targets in Brittany during the night's operations, which cost

the loss of one plane, an air ministry communique said.

The assaults on St. Nazaire and Wilhelmshaven represented a resumption

of the Allied air offensive against the nests from which Nazi

under-water-raiders have, been striking at vital:United Nations supply

lines.

                                              Repeated Target of Attacks

Current Events March 22, 1943; GERMAN FORCES, ROMMEL, FACE NEW DISASTER / RUSSIANS CAPTURE VITAL RAIL CENTER/ IN DONETS BASIN / AUSTRALIA EXPECTS ATTACK FROM JAPANESE:

            The Bakersfield Californian

              BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA, MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1943

YANKS SMASH TO MAKNASSY AS

ROMMEL FACES NEW DISASTER

Montgomery's Army

Slams Giant Forces

Into Mareth Line

1400 DAZED DUCE FOLLOWERS ARE TAKEN

PRISONERS AS U. S. GENERAL PATTON HITS

FROM WEST IN SHATTERING THRUST

ALLIED Headquarters in North Africa, March 22. O2?)—

The British Eighth Army was reported tonight to have cap-

tured its initial objectives in an attack on a (5-mile front be

tween the sea and the Mart-til road despite strong axis oppo

sition and deep mine fields. This thrust at the upper end of

the Mareth Line developed as American armor drove a,

wedge into Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's last defense'

barring the way lo the Gulf of Gabes with the capture of

about 1100 prisoners. Field reports said an American

column was w i t h i n sight of Mankassy, a strong German position on

the Gafsa Mahares railway some 50 miles west of the Port of Mahares

The British Eighlh Army was reported to have a t t a c k e d axis forces

on a 6 mile line at the north end of the Mareth front, between the sea

and the Mendenine-Mareth road, against strong opposition.

REDS CAPTURE

VITAL RAIL CITY

DOGGED RESISTANCE

MARKS DONETS FIGHT

MOSCOW, March 22. (UP)—Russian forces on the central front cap-

tured the Important railroad junction of Durovo, only 55 miles north

least of Smolensk, today while the comrades to the south smashed re-

peated attempts by fresh axis armies to force the upper Donets river.

The Soviet high command said that the Germans were drawing increasing

numbers of troops from other fronts and throwing them into

the battle of the Donets basin "straight from tho march."

Scores of tanks and thousands of dead littered tho southern bank of

the Donets below Kharkov, mute testimony to the German determination

to storm across the river and drive tho Soviets back toward the

Don regardless of cost.

JAP AUSTRALIA

ATTACK SEEN

MINISTER DECLARES

NIPPOS DETERMINED

WASHINGTON, March 22. (AP)—

American dive bombers, raiding Mundu on New Georgia island for

the eighth time, struck a Japanese supply area and an enemy gun

position, the navy announced today in a communique which told

of bombing raids on Vila and Kahill.

Australian Army Minister Francis Forde declared today that Japan was

more determined to attack Australia than ever before as the range of

General Douglas MacArthur's bombing attacks emphasized the growing

concentration of enemy power in the islands of the fringe of the continent.

“The allied victories in the Solomons. New Guinea and Bismarck sea

merely Intensified Japan's determination to invade Australia," Fordo

said.

"It can only be assumed that when they are ready, the Japanese will

launch an attack on Australia more ferocious than any yet experienced

in the Pacific."

                                                        Bombings Increase

Current Events March 21, 1943: RUSSIANS HOLDING AT KHARKOV and TAKE SOLOMENSK / PATTON MASSING ARMED FORCES IN NORTH AFRICA / AMERICAN SHIP, CITY OF FLYNT WAS TORPEDOED BY GERMANS

                    The Kingsport Times

                                          Kingsport, Tenn., Sunday, March 21, 1943

Rains Slow Down Allies In Tunisia

Cumberland Times

CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND, SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 1943

Red Troops Kill 1,600 Nazis

In Fierce Hand-To-Hand Fight;

Yanks Pound Rommel's Flank

SOVIET FORCES

GAIN IN DRIVE

ON VITAL BASE

Wipe Out Nazis In Lake

Ilmen Area, Score Fresh

Advances In Push To

Take Smolensk

RUSSIANS HOLDING

IN KHARKOV FIGHT

Moscow Claims Hitler's

A t t a c k In South Has

Been Checked, With

Heavy Losses

By JAMES M. LONG

London, March 20 (AP) — Russian

troops wiped out 1,600 Germans in hand-to-hand fighting south of

Lake Ilmen and scored fresh gains in the push on Smolensk, while in

the south the Nazis lost 800 men and 15 tanks in the ceaseless effort

to crack the Red Army's Donets river line below Kharkov, Moscow

announced tonight.

German tanks loaded with Tommy gunners attempted to break Into

one populated place In the Ohuguev sector, 23 miles southeast or

Kharkov, but "struck our minefield and were blown up," «xid the midnight

bulletin recorded by th« Soviet Monitor.

Southern Lines Holding

YANKS GET SET

FOR 'BIG PUSH'

AGAINST AXIS

General Patton Massing

Armored U n i t s To Hit

Rommel's Forces In

East Sector

PLANES GROUNDED

Rains and Dust Storms In

Tunisia Bring Lull, But

New Drive Impends;

Giraud Pleased

Africa, March 20 (AP)— A calm Allied Headquarters to North

brought on by heavy rains in the north and center and dust storms

in the south settled over the Tunisian front today while Lieut-Gen.

Patton's American divisions consolidated their holds on Gafsa and

El Guetar, 60 miles from the German life line skirting the east coast.

But the end of the rainy season was at hand in North Africa, and

the opposing armies utilized the lull as best they could to wheel up

supplies and shells for what may be the decisive battle of the whole

campaign.

May Trap Rommel

NAVY REVEALS

CITY OF FLINT

VICTIM OF SUB

Famous U. S. -Ship Sent

To Bottom By Reich

U-Boat In Atlantic

During January

17 CREWMEN LOST

First Seized By Germans

In 1939, Soon After War

Began; Later Turned

Loose By Norway

Washington, March 20 UP) — The City of Flint, an American steamship

which was the center of a sharp pre-war controversy in 1939

when it was announced by the Germans, has been torpedoed Mid funk to

the Atlantic.

The Navy-told today, In one of' its usual announcements, of the sinking

of "a small United States merchant ship" in the mid-Atlantic to

late January, and later deviated from its policy to permit disclosure

of its name — in this case the famous City of Flint.

                                         17 Crewmen Lost

Seventeen of the crew of 65 was lost. A survivor, Third Mate William

Mills, 30, of Milton, Mass., told at Philadelphia that the ship was

torpedoed early one evening without warning and was abandoned

within 10 minutes .after fire broke out. The survivors spent three

days in life boats before they were picked up.

Current Events March 20, 1943: U. S. FOCES AND VRITISH EIGHTH ARMY MAKING ADVANCES IN BORTH AFRICA / U. S. BOMBERS WINGING OVER TIUNISIAN DESERT TO DROP BOMBS IN CENTRAL TUNIS / GERMANS PENETRAT KHARKOV LINE RECAPTURE RAIL ROAD LINES

         THE STARS AND STRIPES

Daily Newspaper of U.S. Armed Forces in the European Theater of Operations

                   London, England Saturday, March 20, 1943

Yanks Advance 12 Miles to El Guettar

Now Within

100 Miles of

Eighth Army

1st, 34th, 1st Armored

Divisions Revealed

As in Action

United States forces which swept into Gafsa in a surprise attack

Wednesday morning have occupied El Guettar, about 12 miles to the

east, it was announced at Allied Force Headquarters in North Africa last

night. The town is about 55 miles from the port of Gabes and less than

100 miles from the positions now held by the British Eighth Army in the east.

Other American forces advancing from Gafsa are moving to the north along the

road to Sened, Algiers radio said. Sened lies on the railway to Sfax, about 32 miles

northeast of Gafsa.

Biggest Raid

Leaves Nazi

Yards Ruins

Heaviest Load of Bombs

Dropped by Libs, Forts;

Fighter Toll Over 25

Intelligence reports yesterday showed that American bombers

struck their heaviest blow of the war at Germany in Thursday's daylight

raid on the Nazi naval yards at Vegesack, near Bremen in the northwestern

Reich.

The largest force of U.S. Four-engined bombers yet to go against

the German mainland carried the heaviest U.S. bomb tonnage in the

deepest yet penetration of Germany, an offial announcement by Headquarters,

ETOUSA, stated.

The vital submarine building yards at Vegesack, from which new U-boats slip

down the Weser river to the North Sea, were hit hard, photographs showed, with

it least 19 buildings of the yard totally dtestroyed or heavily damaged. The power

house key pin point target, was damaged, not destroyed, according to the

photographs.

Hugging Tunisia Desert on Bombing Mission

Winging over a Tunisia desert battlefield at 200 'feet, U.S. medium bombers race in close formation for Axis

objectives. Yesterday, low-flying American bombers, operating in the same fashion, opened the way for

the capture of Gafsa, in central Tunisia, by bombing Axis ground defenses and clearing the skies of weak

fighter opposition. Absence of the Luftwaffe on Tunisia fronts has been surprising in the last few days.

Germans Penetrate Kharkov Line

Red Counter Attacks

Retake Villages,

Cross River'

MOSCOW, Mar. 19 (UP)—Heavy

German tank attacks in the Kharkov area are presenting a new threat to some

of the most important gains the Red Army made in its winter offensive.

German attacks in the Chuguyev area, 28 miles southeast of Kharkov, have penetrated

the Russian lines, and the Nazis are throwing in fresh forces in a

desperate attempt to widen the gap. The Russians, however, held the Germans

in all their other attacks along the Severnoy-Donetz, where the battle is

swaying back and forth. The Nazis are fighting savagely to establish bridgeheads

on the eastern bank of the river. Russian reports do not mention the

fighting in the area northeast of Kharkov, where the Germans claim to have captured

the vital railway junction of Byelgorod.

Current Events March 19, 1943: U. S. TROOPS TAKE GAFSA / ALLIES OCCUPY NEW GUINES BASE PREPARED FOR JAPANESE LOST CONVOY / U. S. FORCE HITS SUBMARINE BASE NEAR BREMEN:

           THE STARS AND STRIPES

Daily Newspaper of U.S. Armed Forces in the European Theater of Operations

                        London, England Friday, March 19, 1943

U.S. Troops Take Gafsa and Sweep On,

Big Guns Pave Way

For Capture of Oasis

Without Loss of Men

Eighth Army Begins

Mareth Offensive,

Berlin Says

Smashing 30 miles in a lightning thrust across central Tunisia, United

States forces under Maj. Gen. George C, Patton captured the oasis town of

Gafsa at 12.30 PM Wednesday under a protective cover of American

Mitchells, Spitfires and Airacobras, it was announced yesterday at Allied

Force Headquarters in North Africa.

The attack, preceded by a heavy barrage by 105s and 155s, was made only

a short lime after the hour when German sources said Gen. Montgomery's Eighth

Army launched an all-out offensive on the Axis positions in the Mareth Line.

There was no British confirmation of such an offensive, the Allied communique saying

only that the Army had Unproved its positions.

The Americans recaptured Gafsa without the loss of a single soldier after heavy

artillery and air 'bombardment put the German and Italian defenders to flight.

Only scattered small arms fire greeted the American infantry approaching the outskirts.

Patton Replaces Fredendall

Immediately after occupying Gafsa, the American troops, with some French units,

pushed on six miles east of the city to Djebel Rehariz and Lalla. The advance

placed a strong body of American troops less than 55 miles from the Gabes bottleneck

and 100 miles from the Eighth Army, thus drawing tighter the Allied circle

around Rommel's troops.

Allies Occupy

Base Prepared

For Lost Convoy

Ground Troops Find Jap

Installations on North

New Guinea Coast

ALLIED HQ, Southwest Pacific, Mar.18 (UP)

Allied ground troops in New Guinea have occupied a Japanese base

near the Mambare River, on the north coast, which had been prepared for the

arrival of the Bismarck Sea convoy, destroyed two weeks ago by Allied planes.

The base, discovered when Allied troops were cleaning up abandoned

Japanese positions in the area, included such installations as pillboxes, a hospital

and other equipment, and was large enough to accommodate large forces, and

which, in the words of today's official communique " was doubtless built m

preparation for a future offensive.

Air Offensive Goes On

The Allied air offensive has been kept up by heavy bombers, which bombed the

Rapopo airdrome at Rabaul yesterday, dropping 392 bombs on the runway and

on dispersal areas.

Countless explosions resulted and heavy destruction was caused among enemy

aircraft on the field. The attacking aircraft encountered anti-aircraft nre and

searchlights and two night fighters attempted interception. Despite this, all

Allied planes returned safely.

Two waves of medium bombers attacked the Japanese occupied town of

Langgoer and caused fires and heavy damage among houses, barracks and

workshops in the dock area. Little opposition was put up from the ground.

Daylong Attacks on Kiska

WASHINGTON, Mar. 18 (AP)—Four separate daylong attacks were made on

Japanese installations on Kiska, in the Aleutians, yesterday as Libs and Mitchells,

escorted by Lightning fighters, bombed camp areas and submarine bases, starting

large fires and scoring direct hits on the camp areas. Two enemy fighters

were shot down by Lightnings.

Big U.S. Force

Hits Submarine

Base in Reich

Heavy Fighter Opposition

Brings Down Two

Bombers

Flying Fortresses and Liberators struck heavily in daylight yesterday at the Nazi

U-boat yards at Vegesack, near Bremen, in northwestern Germany.

A strong force of the big four-engined bombers had to fight their way through

heavy " enemy opposition, a Headquarters, ETOUSA, communique announced

last night. Two bombers were reported missing from the operation,

which took a stiff toll of Nazi fighter planes.

Weather was clear, airmen reported, and a large number of bombs were seen

to burst on the U-boat yards. The text of the communique follows:

" It is announced by Headquarters, European Theater Of Operations, that a

strong force of Flying Fortresses (B17s) and Liberators (B24s) heavily attacked

the important U-boat yards at Vegesack in northwest Germany during daylight today.

Weather was clear and many hits were obtained on the yards, which are

principally engaged in the building and repair of submarines.

4 Heavy Opposition

Heavy opposition from enemy aircraft was encountered and many of them

were destroyed and damaged. Two of our bombers failed to return."

_______________________

Current Events March 18, 1943: AMERICANS RECAPTURE AREAS ON TUNISIAN FRONT/ GRRMANS AND RUSSIANS AGAIN STRUGGLE IN THE DONET'S RIVER BASIN / ALLIED PLANES BATTER RABAUL:

                                        Newport Daily News

                            NEWPORT, R. I., THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1943 —

U. S. TROOPS RECAPTURE GAFSA

PUSH NEARER TUNISIA COAST;

REDS IN TANK, AIR BATTLE

Soviet Lines Hold In Donets, Sweep Ahead On Central Front;

Bombers Raid Japs At Kiska Four Times

ALLIED HEADQUARTERS

NORTH AFRICA, March 18 UP)—

United State troops, led by Lieutenant General George S. Patton

Jr., newly named commander of American forces on the Tunisian

front, have re-captured Gafsa after a 30-mile drive, and pressed on

beyond that rail city air base

toward the Gabes bottleneck, it was announced today.

Only a few hours were required for re-occupatlon of the towii tlm

had been abandoned by Allied troops In the face of Field Marsha

Erwin Rommel's abortive mid February offensive.

A communique said that little opposition was encountered and

United States patrols, assisted by mobile French units and gimrdec

by Allied aerial squadrons, drove after the retreating Germans into

the area, of El Guetar, 12 miles to the southeast.

GERMANS TRY

TO BREAK THROUGH

Mass Against Narrow Sectors,

Claim Russian

Losses Are Heavy

MOSCOW, March IS UP)—A

little tank struggle, with a German air umbrella of junkers dive

bombers met by hurtling' Soviet Stormoviks trying to knock out

the German armor, was being waged today in tho northern

Donets River valley, but the, Russians reported their lines, refused

to give before tho masses of tanks hurled against them,

The German high command, in a. communique broadcast by the

Berlin radio and recorded by The Associated Press, said the. Germans

were on-the offensive throughout the sector from Kharkov

to Kursk, Inflicting "extremely heavy losses on tho Russians

ALLIED AIRMEN

BATTER RABAUL

Drop 392 Bombs; Tojo

Warns Japan Situation is

More Serious

WASHINGTON, March 18,

—American bombers blasted a Japanese submarine base at Kiska

Island, in the Aleutians, several times Tuesday, the navy reported

today, and in a fourth action American fighter planes shot

down two enemy aircraft and probably destroyed two others

Tuesday was the second successive

salvo day of multiple raids on Kiska, six heavy attacks having been

previously reported for Monday.

The navy communique, said bombs hit the main area

and submarine base.

During tho night of March 16-17, a Liberator heavy bomber

carried out minor attacks on Japanese positions at Mondo and in

the central Solomons. Results were not observed.

By The Associated Press

General Douglas MacArthurs Headquarters today reported a

smashing assault on the big Japanese base ay Rabaul, New Britain

in which Allied fliers plastered the airdrome with 392 bombs, while

other United Nations' airmen attacked an enemy-outpost in the

Islands, between Australia and New Guinea!

Current Events MARCH 17, 1943: BRITISH 8th ARMY LAUNCHES ASSAULT IN TUNISIA / JAPANES ALEUTION BASE RAIDED BY AMERICANS / RUSSIAN ARTIC DRIVE DENTING KHARKOV DONETS LINE / SWEDEN REPORTS GERMAN FLEET READY TO STRIKE:

THE RACINE JOURNAL-TIMES

             RACINE, WIS., WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, MARCH 17, 1943.

Berlin Says British Hit Mareth Line

Launch Blow

To Oust Axis

From Tunisia

Allied Planes Smash

Southern Defense in

Fierce Bombardment

(By The Associated Press)

A Berlin broadcast reported today that Gen. Sir Bernard L.

Montgomery's British 8th army, had launched an assault against

the 60-mile-long Mareth line in southern Tunisia, and Lord Beaverbrook

declared in London that "I think the conquest of Tunis and Bizerte is

not far off."

DNB, the German news agency, said the British struck against the old

French-built Mareth ("Little Maginot") defense works last' night.

"The scale of fighting cannot be judged by reports so far available,

but Berlin quarters believe this is a major attack," DNB said.

Report Imminent' Drive.

Kiska Blasted

By 6 Air Raids

In Single Day

Only 5 Japs Escaped

Out of 15,000 in

Bismarck Sea Battle

WASHINGTON. — UP) — The heaviest series of air attacks ever

made on Japanese-held Kiska island in a single day was carried

out Monday, the navy announced today, when American planes raided

the Aleutians base six times between dawn arid dusk.

In the south Pacific, meanwhile, light naval surface forces bombarded

Japanese positions at Vila in the Munda airbase area of the

central Solomon islands. This was the third time American warships

have penetrated into the enemy sector of the Solomons to bombard

shore positions at or near Munda.

100 Reached Shore.

While the navy was thus reporting on recent actions, Elmer

Davis, director of war information, told a press conference that

only,five Japanese out of 15,000 escaped death or capture in the

battle of the Bismarck sea March 2, when 22 Japanese warships and

other vessels were destroyed by Allied air might.

About 100 Japanese escaped drowning and reached shore, Davis

said, but of this handful only five escaped.

Davis gave the lie to recent Japanese broadcasts that the United

States had suffered serious naval losses in the south Pacific, declaring:

"Every one of our naval losses has been announced and by no

stretch of the imagination can they be called serious."

The communique reflected a quickening tempo of offensive action

at both ends of the Pacific battle line stretching from the Solomons

in the south to Kiska at the western end of the Aleutians

archipelago in the north.

Results Not Reported

Report Red Arctic Drive;

Nazi Donets Line Dented

STOCKHOLM—(UP.)—The newspaper

Aftontidningen reported today that Russian forces had reached

a point seven and one-half miles from Petsamo, port of northern

Finland, indicating the red army had opened a drive on the

arctic front.

Russian artillery is shelling Petsamo, the newspaper report, credited

to reliable sources, said.

The military positions on the far northern front west of Murmansk

long have been obscure. The Russians have been reported in control

of the Rybachi peninsula northeast of Petsamo, from which they

were able to command the entrance to the harbor with their artillery.

MOSCOW.—(U.P)—The red army of the Ukraine seized the initiative

in several sectors of the Kharkov- Donets front today and in

heavy attacks drove the Germans from a range of hills in the region

of Izyum, 75 miles southeast of Kharkov.

Front dispatches indicated the German armored forces had failed

to reach the south bank of the Donets, along which the Russians

had taken up powerful positions after the reverses which cost them

Kharkov and eight other major bases.

Far to the north, soviet columns pressing converging drives toward

Smolensk scored new triumphs, cutting the Nikitina spur railroad

at a point 65 miles northeast of the big central front base.

The first definite reports that the red army had the German counter

offensive on the southern front well in hand said the Russians had

loosed attacks at a number of points along the Donets line angling

southeastward from Kharkov and were expanding their positions

on the south bank of the river.

Fierce Fighting Told.'

German Fleet

Set to Strike,

Sweden Hears

War on Subs Gets

Top Allied Priority, .

Churchill Declares

LONDON—(U.P)— A Stockholm dispatch said today that the entire

German high seas fleet, including three capital ships and two aircraft

carriers, is assembling in northern Norway.

The dispatch, crediting the report to the naval correspondent of

the Stockholm newspaper NYA Dagligt Allehanda, revived speculation

that Germany was about to complement her intensified submarine

offensive in the Atlantic with large-scale surface raids on

the Allies' vital sea lanes.

Admiralty Is Attacked.

The war against the U-boats has been given top priority in Allied

plans, Prime Minister Winston Churchill said today during debate

in commons which touched off a verbal blast against the admiralty

climaxed by a virtual demand for resignation of its first lord, A. V.

Alexander.

In Washington, Elmer Davis, OWI director, declared that March

looks like a bad month for Allied shipping losses by submarine attacks

and that a possible serious menace to Allied northern convoys

is created by the reported German battle fleet concentrations in Norway.