Pisa, anchor of Gothic Line, built on river
Visitors know city for its architecture
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Mowrer: Devastated Livorno is city of bewildering contrasts
Donut man sets up stand amid ruins and G.I. roller-skates while Nazis shell city
By Richard Mowrer
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Reds impatient with Allied delay in France
Claim terrain in west favors advance
By James Aldridge, North American Newspaper Alliance
Moscow, USSR – (by wireless)
Each day Soviet observers get more worried about lack of development of the war in the west. The general attitude is: “You’ve established your position; now go ahead and develop it.”
For the past three days, articles by three leading Soviet commentators – Gen. Galaktionov, “The Observer” and K. Demidov – have taken the entire British press to task. The Russian writers do not like the tendency of the British press to apologize for the static situation on the Western Front.
These Soviet commentators disagree with American and British newspapers which say it is difficult to advance and maneuver from such a small area as the Allies hold in Normandy. They point to El Alamein in North Africa and to Italy as examples of how the Allies did and can maneuver and attack from small areas if they want to do so.
Says Reds’ job harder
Gen. Galaktionov also points out that as far as maneuvering is concerned, the Allies are better off in France than the Red Army is in White Russia. He says it is easier to maneuver along the good roads of France than it is in the marshland stretching from Vitebsk to Vilna and beyond.
Another criticism by these three writers is against the idea of the British and American press to go along with German Propaganda Minister Goebbels to divide the East and West into more important and less important fronts. Although the Allied newspaper comment has insisted that the Russian front is the more serious one for Germany, this flattery is not welcomed here. To these Soviet commentators, it seems to be an encouragement to Germany to put most of her weight on Russia.
Cite Tehran agreement
On Wednesday Mr. Demidov pointed out in Pravda, the Communist Party organ, that only one-tenth of the German Army is facing the Allies in France. Yesterday, “The Observer” repeated it in the same publication and stated that on July 8, the 2nd Airborne Division of the Reichswehr was taken from Normandy to Vilna where it was destroyed. To the Soviet commentators, the efforts of the Allies are still unbalanced.
For the most part these critics ask for no more than increased vigor and volume in the Allied attacks. They remind us of the Tehran agreement, which states that the Allies would attack in volume from the west and south as the Red Army attacked in volume in the east. The Red Army is attacking in volume, they say, but they are still waiting for the main Allied forces to be thrown into the battle in the west.
When this is done, the writers aver, Germany will be defeated quickly and completely.
US-Pulk fast vollkommen vernichtet –
Nur fünf Bomber entkamen
pk. Bei einem Einflug nordamerikanischer Bomber in das Reichsgebiet gelang es einer unter der Führung von Hauptmann M. stehenden Jagdgruppe, die erst wenige Tage zuvor 13 Terrormaschinen abgeschossen hatte, einen großen Pulk feindlicher Kampfflugzeuge fast vollständig aufzureiben und zu vernichten.
Silbern glitzern die stämmigen „Focke-Wulfs“ im Sonnenlicht des frühen Morgens, als sie dem Feind entgegenjagen. Die feindlichen Verbände fliegen Kehren und Haken. Anscheinend wollen die Nordamerikaner ihr Ziel bis zuletzt verschleiern, um die deutsche Abwehr zu zersplittern und unschädlich zu machen. Aber es soll ihnen nicht gelingen! Hervorragend geführt kommt die Gruppe, wie vorgesehen, an den Feind. Der Verbandsführer selbst entdeckt die Bomber zuerst. Deutlich erkennt man das Muster: „Liberators.“ Sie sollen ihre tödliche Last nicht auf deutsche Frauen und Kinder werfen können! Neben alten, in vielen Luftschlachten erfahrenen Flugzeugführern sind in der Abwehrgruppe viele junge Besatzungen. Gerade sie aber fiebern förmlich danach, es den kampferprobten gleichzutun. Etwa 25 „Liberators“ umfasst der US-Pulk. In wohlgeführter Schlachtordnung fliegen die mächtigen Maschinen ihren Kurs. Im Schutze ihrer starken Panzerung und ihrer vielen Kampfstände wähnen sie sich unangreifbar.
Von allen Seiten
Leutnant B., der körperlich kleine, aber kräftige Berliner, fliegt seinen Gegner von links heran. Obwohl er schon sechsmal Sieger im Luftkampf blieb, gehört er noch zu den Jungen unter den Flugzeugführern. Erst als er schon verteufelt nahe an dem riesengroß im Visier hängenden Bomber ist und die feindlichen Heckschützen ihn mit einem fürchterlichen Feuerhagel überschütten, drückt er auf die Auslöseköpfe seiner Waffen. Fast wie mit einem Rasiermesser geschnitten bricht am „Liberator“ die linke Fläche weg und flattert zur Erde, als sei es ein welkes Blatt. Als Leutnant B. sich umschaut und mit den Kameraden seiner Gruppe zu erneutem Ansturm sammelt, sieht er die ersten Feindflugzeuge in die Tiefe stürzen.
Fünf Bomber sind gleich beim ersten Angriff fortgewischt worden, die übrigen fliegen aufgeregt und nervös durcheinander. Einige der „Liberators“ werfen ihre Bomben im Notwurf. Unschädlich fallen sie in freies Gelände. Dann greift die Gruppe wieder an. Von allen Seiten stürmen die „Focke-Wulfs" auf die Bomber los, packen sich ihre Opfer und zerfleddern sie, bis die großen Bomber hilflos in die Tiefe taumeln. Was nützt es da schon, daß die feindlichen Bordschützen schießen, was die Rohre nur hergeben wollen. Zu stürmisch, zu wild und verwegen fliegen die Jäger an. Manch eine „Focke-Wulf“ zuckt unter schweren Treffern zusammen. Aber sie verfolgen ihren Gegner bis zur letzten Sekunde.
Dicht am Feind
Feldwebel Z., der große, blonde Westfale, hat seinen Bomber so erledigt, daß er ganz nahe heranfliegen kann, um die Werknummer des Amerikaners zu lesen, die am Heck auf das Leitwerk gemalt ist. Er will genau wissen, welchen Gegner er nun abgeschossen hat. Leutnant B. setzt sich hinter den seiner Meinung nach am Weitesten hinten fliegenden Gegner. Später jedoch merkt er, daß er sich geirrt und ausgerechnet den vordersten erwischt hat. Da aber sitzen schon die ersten Treffer in seiner eigenen Maschine. Die Kabinenverkleidung ist zerschossen und eiskalte Luft strömt ihm ungehemmt ins Gesicht. Während er mit letzter Kraft seine „Focke-Wulf“ verreißt, bis auf 20 Meter an den Bomber geht und dann einen langen Feuerstoß abgibt, spürt er plötzlich, daß sein Motor endgültig aussetzt. Eben kann er noch sehen, wie die „Liberator“ in tausend Fetzen zerplatzt. Dann muß er hinunter. Mit Mühe und Not schafft der junge Offizier eine Bauchlandung auf einem Stoppelacker. Mit sehnsüchtigen Blicken muß er nun untätig zuschauen, wie seine Kameraden mit den Nordamerikanern aufräumen.
Bomber auf Bomber wird niedergekämpft. Da ist es kein Wunder, daß der Himmel bald voller Fallschirm hängt. Dicht neben Leutnant B. kommen mehrere abgesprungene Nordamerikaner herunter. Mit vorgehaltener Pistole nimmt der Leutnant sie gefangen. Auf dem nahegelegenen Flugplatz erfährt er noch, daß der Bergungsoffizier achtzehn einwandfrei festgestellte Brüche feindlicher Bomber gezählt hat, die alle in dem Gebiet liegen, über dem die Gruppe angegriffen hat. Stolze Abschusszahlen können die Staffelführer nachher ihrem Kommandeur melden. Viele der jungen Unteroffiziere, die ihren ersten Feindflug machten, kamen gleich mit einem Erfolg nach Hause. Ein sprechender Beweis für ihren vorbildlichen Angriffsgeist und ihr sicheres fliegerisches Können, das in erster Linie auch der Anleitung und Führung durch ältere Kameraden zu danken ist. Nur fünf oder sechs Maschinen des feindlichen Pulks entkamen. Ob sie aber wirklich heimgekehrt sind, muß bezweifelt werden, da andere Jagdverbände die Verfolgung aufnahmen.
Kriegsberichter JOCHEN SCHEURMANN
Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (July 23, 1944)
Communiqué No. 95
In the CAEN sector, east of the ORNE, Allied troops have cleared the enemy from the village of ETAVAUX. Our forces advanced southeast of ÉTERVILLE and MALTOT is in our hands.
North of PÉRIERS, we have crossed the SÈVES River in the vicinity of the village of SÈVES.
Fuel dumps at FORÊT DE CONCHES, MESSEI and CHÂTEAU DE TERTU were attacked by medium bombers early yesterday evening. Escorted night bombers attacked rail lines at BOURTH and military buildings near VANNES.
Bridges near BREST and CHOLET were hit by fighters and fighter-bombers. Locomotives were attacked, tracks severed and trucks destroyed in the areas of LORIENT, CHARTRES and ANGERS.
Two of our aircraft are missing.
Communiqué No. 96
Allied troops east of CAEN have cleared the enemy from the village of ÉMIÉVILLE. Enemy counterattacks were repulsed in the regions of yesterday’s advance near MALTOT and near SÈVES in the western sector.
Medium and light bombers, this morning, attacked six rail targets leading to the battle zone. Results were unobserved.
Other bombers, before dawn, harassed enemy communications at ROUEN, VIERZON and a number of SEINE crossings.
U.S. Navy Department (July 23, 1944)
CINCPAC Communiqué No. 85
Substantial gains were made by our forces on Guam during the night of July 21 and during the day of July 22 (West Longitude Dates). In the northern area all of Cabras Island and Piti Town were captured. Attempts made by the enemy during the night of July 21‑22 to infiltrate our lines were repulsed. In the southern area Orote Peninsula has been nearly cut off by our forces. Aircraft and naval gunfire are closely supporting our troops. Our estimated casualties through July 22 are as follows: Killed in action 348; wounded in action 1500; missing in action 110.
Intense artillery and naval gunfire was directed against Tinian Island on July 21. Enemy gun positions and troop concentrations were principal targets. On the same day Thunderbolt fighters of the 7th Army Air Force attacked Tinian and Pagan Islands. At Tinian, gun emplacements and pillboxes were bombed. At Pagan, the airstrip was bombed and strafed. Intense anti-aircraft fire over Pagan damaged two of our aircraft.
Seventy‑five tons of bombs were dropped on airfields and dock areas at Truk Atoll on July 21 by 7th Army Air Force Liberators. Fires and explosions were observed. Two airborne enemy fighters did not attempt to intercept our force. Anti-aircraft fire was meager.
The Pittsburgh Press (July 23, 1944)
Allies battling in morasses of French mud
British take half of Troarn stronghold
By Phil Ault, United Press staff writer
Fighting through morasses of mud, British forces have seized commanding heights in Troarn (1) as torrential rains slowed fighting in Normandy. Two Nazi counterattacks were repulsed, by the British south of André-sur-Orne (2) and by the Americans on the Saint-Lô–Périers highway (3). The Yanks were two miles from Périers.
SHAEF, London, England – (July 22)
British troops, fighting through morasses of mud like those in the last war, have won commanding heights inside Troarn, German stronghold seven miles east of Caen, and 14 enemy tanks have been knocked out in scattered actions across the wind- and rain-swept front, it was disclosed today.
British troops ironed out the Nazi salient south of Caen by capturing Maltot and Etavaux. Maltot is three miles west of Saint-André-sur-Orne on the Caen–Aunay highway. Etavaux is one mile northwest of Saint-André. A number of Nazi counterattacks were turned back, Saturday night’s communiqué said, with the promising British offensive of last week bogged down in the worst weather of invasion.
Lone air attack
Bumping their way through storm clouds, a force of about 200 U.S. Marauder and Havoc bombers and RAF Billy Mitchells bombed three fuel dumps and one railway target south of the battle zone in the lone major air operation of the day.
The Germans launched two limited counterattacks Friday despite the soggy weather, one south of Saint-André-sur-Orne on the Caen front and the other on the Saint-Lô–Périers highway in the American sector. Both were thrown back with severe enemy losses.
Third time in Troarn
The British entered Troarn for the third time Saturday and won the western half of the town before a torrential downpour caused a half-hour suspension of fighting. Smashing across the wooded rise just outside Troarn against fierce machine-gun and light arms opposition, they won high ground dominating the remaining German positions in the eastern half of the town.
Otherwise, the battle had bogged down, but German broadcasts said that Allied guns in the Caen area were drumming out a preparatory barrage for “a large-scale attack in the near future.”
For nearly eight hours, the weather had clamped a stalemate on the battlefields and there was no prospect of its lifting.
British rush stopped
The first great rush of British armor through the Caen gap had ended, because the Germans were once more in wooded terrain after being driven across the rolling farms just east of Caen. The infantry now faced the job of digging them out of one strongpoint after another.
Behind every grove, the Germans had concealed 88mm guns which pinned down the infantry until Allied infantry could get a bearing on the enemy batteries. Rocket-firing Typhoon fighters gave invaluable support Friday until the weather forced them down.
Two miles from Périers
On the American sector, doughboys huddled in foxholes where water was up to their armpits and their supply traffic was interrupted by the impassibility of all except the hardest surfaced roads.
Before the mud made further advances impossible, the Yanks had driven within two miles of Périers, strongpoint of the broken Saint-Lô–Lessay line, and taken positions 1,500 yards west of the Vire southwest of Saint-Lô.
Allied headquarters reversed itself on three towns reported captured Friday – raids on the Carentan–Périers highway, Berigny on the Saint-Lô–Bayeux highway, and Saint-Martin-de-Fontenay, just below Saint-André-sur-Orne. All three are still in German hands, the report of their capture being due to “mistaken map-reading.”
Hill 112, key height just northeast of Esquay in the Caen sector, is still in British hands, although the Germans are once more in possession of Esquay itself as well as Maltot to the north.
German broadcasts again asserted that strong reserves of an Allied army group commanded by Lt. Gen. George S. Patton Jr. had been observed in the Caen area and that a new Allied offensive will not long be delayed. More than 10 British divisions are concentrated in the area, the Germans said.
A Berlin broadcast of a German communiqué said that the British launched “major attacks” Friday and broke into the main German line at several points, but were thrown back by counterattacks. An entire Allied battalion was wiped out, the communiqué asserted.
Yanks on Guam repel attacks, expand inland
Strategic heights, roads captured
By Frank Tremaine, United Press staff writer
…
Ploești pounded by 1,500 planes
750 heavy bombers in raid on oil center
By Walter Cronkite, United Press staff writer
…
May spend $6 million –
CIO throwing big war chest to Democrats
Hillman and Murray come out for Truman
Chicago, Illinois – (July 22)
Sidney Hillman, political spokesman of the CIO, three to the Democratic Roosevelt-Truman ticket today the support of two independent political committees, which have a potential campaign war chest of $6 million.
Mr. Hillman, chairman of the CIO Political Action Committee, disclosed at a press conference that the Political Action committee would take an active part in the 1944 campaign despite earlier indications that it would remain dormant until after Nov. 7. Mr. Hillman also heads the National Citizens’ Political Action Committee, an organization established under CIO leadership to embrace groups outside the labor movement.
Both can contribute
Under the Hatch Act ceiling on expenditures of political committees, the CIO-PAC and the new group apparently could spread $3 million each during the campaign.
He told a press conference that the PAC would continue its work soliciting voting registrations and would “see that people come to vote for Roosevelt and Truman.” Its activity henceforth will be financed by voluntary contributions from CIO members, Mr. Hillman said.
Voluntary contributions
The CIO first announced it would seek voluntary contributions of one dollar from CIO members in connection with plans to establish a new “National Citizens’ Political Action Committee.” It also announced that funds of the CIO-PAC – contributions from union treasures – would be frozen until after Nov. 7 to comply with the Smith-Connally Act’s prohibition on union contributions in connection with political campaigns.
Those CIO announcements then were interpreted to mean that the one-dollar contributions would go to the new committee, which includes representatives from outside the labor movement although it is also under the chairmanship of Mr. Hillman.
To meet Aug. 5
Mr. Hillman said today, however, that the CIO members’ contributions would go to the CIO-PAC and that the NCPAC would make its appeal to persons outside the labor movement. Under questioning of reporters, he insisted he had never said the PAC would be dormant between the national conventions and the general election but that he had said only that the funds from union treasuries would be frozen.
Mr. Hillman said the executive committee of the Citizens’ Committee would meet in New York about Aug. 5 to plan its campaign and that the new organization must determine its relationship with the CIO-PAC.
CIO President Philip Murray interrupted at one point to assert that the committee “certainly will be operating within the law.” When a reporter said he was interested in the CIO’s interpretation of the law, Mr. Murray suggested such questions should be left to the committee and its counsel.
He held the Citizens’ Committee had been created in response “to the call of public-spirited groups,” but that it would set up its own organization and the CIO could not speak for it.
Although the CIO leaders had been active in efforts to renominate Vice President Henry A. Wallace, Mr. Murray said they were “eminently satisfied” with the nomination of Senator Harry S. Truman for the Vice Presidency.
He said:
We are deeply conscious of the fact that the liberal elements of the Democratic Party made splendid progress in the convention. The party is presenting two liberal candidates. It is the avowed purpose of the CIO to give every possible degree of support to President Roosevelt and Senator Harry Truman.
Democrats bank on big mass vote
Door-to-door drive asked by Hannegan
By John L. Cutter, United Press staff writer
Chicago, Illinois – (July 22)
The Democratic Party tonight pitched its campaign to reelect President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the keynote that mass voting is the secret to success in November.
That was the theme of Chairman Robert E. Hannegan’s final instruction to the closing meeting of the Democratic National Committee. It was the essence of a brief speech to the committee by Senator Harry S. Truman (D-MO), new vice-presidential nominee.
Mr. Hannegan, reelected unanimously, predicted ultimate victory for the Roosevelt-Truman ticket but warned that it would not be easy.
‘Get the vote out’
He said:
People are not registered. The Republican Party is not interested in doing anything about it. The more voters cast the better it is for us. We must wage a vigorous campaign of registration. The only way to do it is a door-to-door campaign.
Mr. Truman, a product of the once-powerful Kansas City Pendergast machine, reminded the committee that, “I am a practical politician and I know what I talk of” when he warned them, “This campaign is not just words. Let’s get the vote out.”
Truman endorsed by CIO
They drew confidence from the unqualified endorsement of Senator Truman by Chairman Sidney Hillman of the CIO Political Action Committee, who had supported renomination of Vice President Henry A. Wallace in the bitter vice-presidential contest.
DNC Treasurer Edwin W. Pauley reported, however, that he was closing the convention with a cash balance on hand of only $116,000 and a warning that “it’s a very small amount to have on hand for a campaign year.”
Despite the intensity of the vice-presidential contest, the meeting closed on a note of harmony with Mayor Edward J. Kelly of Chicago absolving Mr. Hannegan of charges that he used his high office to scuttle Mr. Wallace in favor of Senator Truman, his personal friend and political mentor.
Wallace sends telegram
Mr. Kelly told the committee:
Bob Hannegan never mentioned the name of Senator Truman at the start of this convention. He didn’t put him in the race but he got behind him when it became evident that it would be to the benefit of the party.
Mr. Wallace, the defeated candidate, telegraphed Senator Truman his congratulations on “your enlarged opportunity to help the President and the people” and pledged that “both of us will do our maximum for Roosevelt and what Roosevelt stand for.” Senator Truman told a press conference that Mr. Wallace is still his friend.
President Roosevelt telegraphed Senator Truman that he was happy to have you run with me.” Senator Truman replied that he was happy too, was “at your command and I want to see you soon.” Meanwhile, he left for his Independence, Missouri, home to remain until Congress reconvenes Aug. 1.
Disputes are settled
A dispute between rival Texas factions was solved amicably by seating Mrs. Hilda H. Weinert of Seguin (representing the anti-Roosevelt delegates) as the new National Committeewoman. Mrs. Clara Driscoll of Corpus Christi, retiring committeewoman (sponsored by the pro-Roosevelt group), will be appointed to a position of honor within the committee.
The principal remaining discordant note involved the possibility of a bolt by Southerners to form a new “Jeffersonian Democratic Party” in the hope of seizing the balance of power in the Electoral College.
Former Mississippi Governor Mike Conner conceded that there had been “a great deal of informal discussion” of such a maneuver but said there had been no final decision
Senator James O. Eastland (D-MS) issued a statement, however declaring that the Roosevelt-Truman ticket is a sure winner and should receive the votes of Mississippi presidential electors.
No Missouri man ever Vice President
Washington (UP) – (July 22)
If the Roosevelt-Truman ticket wins the election in November, it will be the first time in American history that one President had served “over three different Vice Presidents.
If the Democrats win this year, it will also be the first time that the state of Missouri has ever had a Vice President. No man from Missouri has ever been President, either.
GOP ‘landslide’ in Missouri forecast
Washington (UP) – (July 22)
A Republican “landslide” in Missouri and the farm belt in the November presidential election was assured by the Democrats’ nomination of Senator Harry Truman for the Vice Presidency, Rep. Martin T. Bennett (R-MO) said today.
Mr. Bennett said:
Our people will never accept national leadership from a Pendergast machine politician. His carefully conceived publicity whitewash with the headline-grabbing Truman Committee will avail him nothing when the rest of the country finds out what we from Missouri already know.
Chairman Robert R. Reynolds (D-NC) of the Senate Military Affairs Committee said he was “very pleased with the nomination of Senator Truman” and described him as “one of the finest men I have ever known.”
Senator Charles O. Andrews (D-FL) said he was “very enthusiastic” over Senator Truman’s nomination and “I am sure the people of Florida are too.”
Truman is called ‘poison to Negroes’
Washington (UP) – (July 22)
Director Edgar G. Brown of the National Negro Council today denounced Democratic vice-presidential nominee Harry S. Truman and the party platform as “poison to the Negro citizen.”
Mr. Brown declared in a statement that the “dumping” of Vice President Henry A. Wallace and the failure of the Democrats’ Chicago convention to support a permanent Fair Employment Practices Committee “leaves the Negro deserted.”
Mr. Brown said Mr. Truman and his committee have “defeated every attempt to secure just consideration for the Negro worker.” The nominee’s refusal to hear “united and militant pleas” on behalf of Negroes in industry has “weakened” their morale, he declared.
The Democratic planks on equal voting rights and a permanent FEPC were “doubletalk,” Mr. Brown said.
It’s a new twist –
Company asks closed shop, but union opposes plan
Right of AFL unit to segregate Negroes into ‘Jim Crow’ group is at stake
…
Strike halts plane turret production
42 men cause walkout of 2,000
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Sub hero of daring exploit in Manila Bay lost at sea
Trout slipped in under very noses of Japs to deliver ammunition, remove gold
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Ship to be named for woman journalist
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King, Nimitz predict new blows at Japs
Back from Saipan, admirals optimistic
By Frank Tremaine, United Press staff writer
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