Rom erlebt seine anglo-amerikanische Zeit
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Führer HQ (March 16, 1945)
Kommuniqué des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht
In Ungarn wehrten unsere Truppen südwestlich Siklos feindliche Angriffe ab. Unsere Divisionen beiderseits des Plattensees warfen zwischen unseren Stellungen noch zäh haltende Kräftegruppen des Feindes zurück, festigten ihre neuen Abschnitte und behaupteten sie gegen zahlreiche Gegenangriffe der Sowjets. Nördlich des Velenczesees lebte die Aufklärungstätigkeit des Gegners auf.
Am Oberlauf des Gran, wo um die Bergwälder weiter verbissen gekämpft wird, brachten Jäger und Grenadiere in einzelne Abschnitte eingedrungenen Feind auf dem Ostufer des Flusses zum Stehen. Bei Schwarzwasser blieben die unter verstärktem Panzereinsatz auch gestern fortgesetzten Angriffe der Sowjets ohne entscheidenden Erfolg.
Gestern trat der Feind auch nördlich Ratibor und beiderseits Grottkau nach starker Artillerievorbereitung zum Großangriff an. Unsere abwehrbereiten Truppen brachen im harten Kampf die Stoßkraft der Bolschewisten und fingen die nachfolgenden Angriffswellen in der Tiefe des Hauptkampffeldes auf. Nach Abschuss zahlreicher Panzer traten unsere Truppen zu Gegenangriffen an, die noch im Gange sind.
Vor Stettin ist der Kampf in voller Schärfe neu entbrannt. Die mit Schwerpunkt gegen die Südostfront des Verteidigungsgürtels geführten Durchbruchsangriffe sowjetischer Schützen- und Panzerverbände wurden nach geringen Anfangserfolgen in wendigen Gegenstößen zum Stehen gebracht und 59 Panzer dabei vernichtet. Die Besatzung von Kolberg hält sich, von Seestreitkräften wirksam unterstützt, in aufopferndem Kampf gegen den Ansturm überlegener Kräfte der Bolschewisten.
In Westpreußen verwehrten unsere Divisionen in zäher Abwehr und wuchtigen Gegenangriffen dem Gegner den beiderseits Quassendorf erstrebten Durchbruch zur Danziger Bucht, wobei sie 67 Panzer vernichteten.
Die in Ostpreußen kämpfenden Verbände hielten dem starken Feinddruck zwischen dem Raum südöstlich Braunsberg und dem Haff südwestlich Königsbergs in anhaltend schweren Kämpfen stand, schlossen in Gegenstößen einige Frontlücken und vereitelten so jeden entscheidenden Erfolg der sowjetischen Angriffsarmeen. Von 200 angreifenden Panzern wurden 146 abgeschossen. Unsere Jäger schossen in heftigen Luftkämpfen dreißig sowjetische Flugzeuge ab. Durch Verbände der Flakartillerie der Luftwaffe wurden gestern 45 Panzer vernichtet, sieben davon mit der Panzerfaust. – An der Kurlandfront hält die Kampfpause an.
Am Niederrhein versucht der Feind seine Bewegungen zum Schutte gegen unser Artilleriefeuer weiterhin durch starken Einsatz künstlichen Nebels zu verschleiern.
Die starken Angriffe der amerikanischen Divisionen aus dem Brückenkopf östlich Remagen trafen auch gestern auf unseren harten Widerstand und wurden nach erbitterten Ortskämpfen zum Stehen gebracht. Nur im Abschnitt nordöstlich Honnef konnte der Feind tiefer in unser Hauptkampffeld eindringen. Im Mosel-Rhein-Dreieck zwischen Koblenz und Simmern sind heftige Kämpfe mit vordringenden amerikanischen Panzerspitzen im Gange. Auch die Kämpfe im Osburger und Schwarzwälder Hochwald dauern an.
In der neuentbrannten Abwehrschlacht in Nordost-Lothringen drückten Verbände der siebenten amerikanischen Armee, nachdem sie in zahlreichen Abschnitten zunächst blutig abgeschlagen waren, unsere Stellungen im Abschnitt von Forbach auf das unmittelbare Vorfeld der Westbefestigungen zurück. Westlich Bitsch wurden ihre Angriffe trotz fünfmaligen Ansatzes zerschlagen und dabei von unseren Truppen 167 Gefangene eingebracht. Westlich Hagenau, dessen Nordteil nach schweren Häuserkämpfen verlorenging, gelangen den Amerikanern einige Einbrüche, um die noch gekämpft wird. Östlich der Stadt brachen die angreifenden Verbände in unserem Feuer zusammen.
Aus Italien wird ein vergeblicher feindlicher Vorstoß am Monte Belvedere gemeldet.
Amerikanische Bomberverbände führten am Tage Angriffe gegen den Großraum von Wien und die Randgebiete von Berlin. Orte im rheinisch-westfälischen Gebiet waren das Ziel britischer Kampfflugzeuge. Durch die feindliche Lufttätigkeit in der Nacht wurden besonders Hagen und der Raum von Hannover betroffen. Nachtjäger und Flakartillerie der Luftwaffe brachten 36, meist viermotorige Bomber, zum Absturz.
Hauptmann Becker, Kommandeur in einem Jagdgeschwader, und sein Bordfunker, Leutnant Johannsen, brachten in der Nacht vom 14. zum 15. März neun viermotorige Bomber zum Absturz. Als Hauptmann Becker nach dem sechsten Abschuss wegen Ladehemmung nicht mehr weiterschießen konnte, vernichtete sein Bordfunker Leutnant Johannsen drei weitere anglo-amerikanische Bomber.
Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (March 16, 1945)
FROM
(A) SHAEF MAIN
ORIGINATOR
PRD, Communique Section
DATE-TIME OF ORIGIN
161100A March
TO FOR ACTION
(1) AGWAR
(2) NAVY DEPARTMENT
TO (W) FOR INFORMATION (INFO)
(3) TAC HQ 12 ARMY GP
(4) MAIN 12 ARMY GP
(5) AIR STAFF
(6) ANCXF
(7) EXFOR MAIN
(8) EXFOR REAR
(9) DEFENSOR, OTTAWA
(10) CANADIAN C/S, OTTAWA
(11) WAR OFFICE
(12) ADMIRALTY
(13) AIR MINISTRY
(14) UNITED KINGDOM BASE
(15) SACSEA
(16) CMHQ (Pass to RCAF & RCN)
(17) COM ZONE
(18) SHAEF REAR
(19) SHAEF MAIN
(20) PRO, ROME
(21) HQ SIXTH ARMY GP
(REF NO.)
NONE
(CLASSIFICATION)
IN THE CLEAR
Communiqué No. 342
UNCLASSIFIED: The Allied bridgehead over the Rhine has been increased to a depth of six miles and a width of eleven miles, against stiff resistance. In the northern portion of the bridgehead, we captured Rhöndorf, on the Rhine north of Bad Honnef. To the east, our units entered Aegidienberg at a point 1,000 yards from the autobahn, which is within their view. Farther south, we captured a road junction at Rottbitze and fighting continues in the town. A tank-supported enemy counterattack was repelled at Kalenborn and our units are fighting in the outskirts of the town. Our forces captured Lorscheid after repelling an enemy counterattack.
In the southern sector of the bridgehead, we captured 125 prisoners in an enemy strong point in a quarry and cleared Hesseln, after repelling a counterattack. Other advances of 400 yards were made to the south. Of a total of 353 enemy planes observed over the Ludendorf Bridge (Remagen) since the bridgehead was established our anti-aircraft claims 111 destroyed and 26 probably destroyed. Our forces have crossed the Moselle River in the area southwest of Koblenz and now hold a bridgehead nine miles wide and six miles deep at a point nine to eighteen miles southwest of Koblenz. Resistance is moderate. In this area we have cleared numerous towns and villages including Udenhausen, Herschwiesen, Oppenhausen, Morshausen, Niedergondershausen, Obergondershausen, and Lütz, and captured Dommershausen. Two small enemy pockets remain north of the Moselle River. Our units captured an enemy hospital at Bad Bertrich, northeast of Wittlich, taking 171 prisoners. Five American patients were freed.
Southeast of Trier, our forces gained up to two and one-half miles to the east, captured Heddert and Schillingen, and entered Kell. Resistance was spotty. The terrain was the toughest obstacle. Southeast of Saarburg, our units advancing southeast against strong resistance from road blocks and pillboxes, entered Weiskirchen, Scheiden, Bergen and Britten. We repulsed seven small counterattacks in the area nine miles southeast Saarburg. Between Saarbrücken and the Rhine our units attacked at many points and gained up to three miles in several areas. Our forces are along the Saar River in the Saarbrücken vicinity and are patrolling within one-half miles of the city. Enemy fortified positions and troop concentrations in the areas of Saarbrücken and Zweibrücken were heavily attacked by medium and fighter-bombers.
Farther east, fighting was in progress in Ensheim and Habkirchen. Uttwiller was cleared. Schorbach, north of the Maginot Line defenses at Bitche, was occupied. In the Hardt Mountains, we met strong resistance, but made substantial gains. In northern Alsace our troops moved across the Moder River and advanced into Offwiller. Bitschhoffen was bypassed. Only a small section of the northern part of Haguenau remains to be cleared.
Allied forces in the west captured 4,501 prisoners 14 March.
Enemy communications in Holland and in western Germany from the north of the Ruhr to the German-Swiss frontier were subjected to heavy air attack yesterday. Railyards at Ommen, east of Zwolle, and at Dorsten, Haltern and Dülmen; rail bridges near Borken; rail lines and rolling stock in the Ruhr Valley; and road and rail targets between Düsseldorf and Hagen were struck at by medium, light and fighter-bombers. The rail viaduct at Arnsberg was attacked with 22,000-pound bombs by escorted heavy bombers, while benzol plants near Essen and Rauxel were hit by other escorted heavy bombers. Farther south, medium, light and fighter-bombers attacked the rail and communications centers of Erbach.
Due east of the Remagen bridgehead, Nohfelden, north of Sankt Wendel; Saarbrücken, Neunkirchen, Homburg, Zweibrücken, and Pirmasens. Communications targets at rastatt, Rottweil, Donaueschingen and Tuttlingen also were struck at by fighter bombers. Five enemy airfields, including one at Lippe; a number of fortified towns and supply dumps in the Wiesbaden and Frankfurt areas, and other supply depots near Koblenz and Darmstadt were targets for other fighter bombers. Escorted heavy bombers in very great strength attacked rail yards at Oranienburg and objectives at Zossen, south of Berlin. Last night, the industrial and communications center of Hagen and the oil refinery at Misburg, east of Hannover, were heavily attacked by heavy bombers. Targets in Berlin also were bombed.
COORDINATED WITH: G-2, G-3 to C/S
THIS MESSAGE MAY BE SENT IN CLEAR BY ANY MEANS
/s/
Precedence
“OP” - AGWAR
“P” - Others
ORIGINATING DIVISION
PRD, Communique Section
NAME AND RANK TYPED. TEL. NO.
D. R. JORDAN, Lt Col FA4655
AUTHENTICATING SIGNATURE
/s/
U.S. Navy Department (March 16, 1945)
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 300
The battle of Iwo Island has been won. The United States Marines by their individual and collective courage have conquered a base which is as necessary to us in our continuing forward movement toward final victory as it was vital to the enemy in staving off ultimate defeat. The enemy was fully aware of the crushing attacks on his homeland which would be made possible by our capture of this island only 660 nautical miles distant, so he prepared what he thought was an impregnable defense. With certain knowledge of the cost of an objective which had to be taken, the Fleet Marine Force supported the ships of the Pacific Fleet and by Army and Navy aircraft fought the battle and won. By their victory the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the V Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully. Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.
Organized resistance on Iwo Island ceased at 1800 on March 16 (East Longitude Date) when elements of the 3rd and 5th Marine Divisions drove through the enemy lines breaking them up and reached Kitano Point at the northern end of the island.
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 301
The Marines on Iwo are continuing to mop up remnants of the enemy garrison. The central Iwo airfield was placed in operation on March 16 (East Longitude Date).
Army aircraft of the VII Fighter Command bombed and strafed targets on Chichi Jima in the Bonins on the same date.
On March 15, Army Liberators of the 7th Air Force operating under the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed airfield installations on Chichi Jima.
Fighters and torpedo planes of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing destroyed bridges and damaged piers and other installations in the Palaus on March 15. On the following day barges were destroyed and fires were started on and around Babelthuap and Arakabesan in the same group.
Radio, airfield and harbor installations on Yap in the Western Carolines were bombed by Marine aircraft on March 15 and 16.
Neutralizing raids on enemy held bases in the Marshalls were carried out by planes of Fleet Air Wing Two and the 4th MarAirWing on March 15.
The Pittsburgh Press (March 16, 1945)
NAZIS SPLIT EAST OF RHINE
Patton gaining mile an hour
Cutting of key road opens way for drive into southern Ruhr
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Bridgehead ‘a howling, blazing hell’
Everything moving east, except wounded
By C. R. Cunningham and Ann Stringer, United Press staff writers
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It doesn’t seem right –
4 die for town map doesn’t show
Nazis responsible are safe now, well fed
By Henry J. Taylor
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Thousands burned to death in B-29 raids, Tokyo says
Japs cry for better air attack relief, rap government because of serious damage
By the United Press
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Handful of Japs left on Iwo
GUAM (UP) – Marines of the 5th Division today squeezed the last fanatically-resisting Japs on Iwo into a pocket less than a quarter mile square on the north coast.
Only a handful of the enemy remained, but they were well organized and were fighting to the death with mortars and small arms from a maze of heavy defenses. Their backs were against a precipitous cliff and the sea.
Jap fire was still taking a toll of Marines Front dispatches indicated that American dead in the campaign would total fewer than 4,000 against more than 20,000 enemy troops killed.
Lt. Gen. Holland M. Smith, commander of fleet Marine forces, told United Press writer Lisle Shoemaker aboard the invasion flagship off Iwo that the Marine motto of Semper Fidelis – always faithful – never before had been challenged or tried as it was in the attack on that island.
Nation faces egg shortage and Uncle Sam’s face is red
What’s more, it was only month ago WFA said civilian supply was plentiful
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Crosby, Ingrid Bergman win Oscars
Going My Way gets most of awards – veterans of stage take support honors
By Maxine Garrison
HOLLYWOOD – Under shadow of the strike which still threatens to shut down motion picture production, the industry’s leading lights turned out en masse last night for the annual Academy Award presentations at Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
They saw the screen’s most unactorish actor, Bing Crosby, take the Oscar for the best male performance of the year, and one of its most reticent actresses, Ingrid Bergman, win similar honors for the women.
There were other pictures on the nominating lists, but you’d hardly have known it from the voting. Paramount’s Going My Way went its way capturing just about all awards in sight.
Fitzgerald honored
Besides Crosby’s award, Barry Fitzgerald was named best supporting actor for his portrayal of Father Fitzgibbon. Going My Way was chosen best picture of the year. Leo McCarey took one award for direction on the picture and another for turning out the beat original story. Scripters Frank Butler and Cavett got the best-written screenplay credit, and songwriters James Van Heusen and Johnny Burke had statues to show for “Swinging on a Star.”
Demonstration for Ingrid
Ingrid Bergman’s recognition for her performance in MGM’s Gaslight was considered long overdue, to judge by the vociferous applause which greeted her call to the stage.
Darryl F. Zanuck’s and 20th Century Fox’s Wilson won several awards for technical achievement, and Norma Shearer gave Mr. Zanuck the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for efforts as individual producer.
A surprise presentation was the award of a junior-size Oscar to flabbergasted Margaret O’Brien as the year’s outstanding child actor. Other top awards went to Ethel Barrymore for her fine supporting performance in RKO’s None but the Lonely Heart, and to Lamar Trotti and Leon Shamroy for the original screenplay and photography respectively on Wilson.
Brilliant affair
Despite the pall of uncertainty caused by the set decorators’ strike, which has the entire industry nervous, the Academy Award program still was the most brilliant event of the year. Just plain fans, lucky enough to get tickets, mixed with movie greats inside the theater and more thousands of fans waited outside. Many of the latter had been sitting since 4 o’clock in hastily constructed bleachers beside and opposite the theater. They lined up as planks were laid for grandstands, filled each plank the minute it was put down, and stayed throughout the evening. Most of them came prepared with box lunches.
Spectators inside the theater witnessed for the first time presentations accompanied by a montage of scenes from films nominated for awards, an idea introduced and put into effect by Mark Sandrich, Paramount producer who died suddenly about 10 days ago.
‘Archie,’ Hope are MCs
Craning of necks inside the theater as celebrities sought to identify each other and carried on tete-a-tete conversations over several rows of seats equaled any antics of the curious outsiders.
Radio comedian Ed Gardner served as master of ceremonies for the early part of the show, with Bob Hope taking over when proceedings went on the air.
Adm. DeWitt Clinton Ramsay and Assistant Secretary of Navy Gates accepted the Oscar given 20th Century Fox for Fighting Lady and handed on by the studio to the World’s Greatest Navy. With the Marines at Tarawa was also honored. MGM’s Mouse Trouble, Warners’ I Won’t Play, and Paramount’s Who’s Who in Animal Land, took awards for best cartoons.
Recognition went to Wilson for film editing, sound recording, art direction and interior decoration. Besides those already mentioned, MGM’s Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo was named for special effects; Gaslight for art direction; Laura for black-and-white photography, and Columbia’s Cover Girl and Selznick International’s Since You Went Away for musical scoring.
Tension mounted in the theater as the time neared for award of acting Oscars, most coveted pieces of pottery in the world.
Hope gets nervous
Acting awards as usual were presented by winners of former years. Charles Coburn told Barry Fitzgerald that if he weren’t Charles Coburn, he’d rather be Barry Fitzgerald than anybody else in the world. In Ethel Barrymore’s absence, Charles Koerner of RKO received her award from Teresa Wright.
When it was time for best actor and actress awards, Bob Hope suddenly lost his gift of gab. Close friend of Bing’s, he said, “Look, folks, I can’t make any jokes – I’m too nervous.”
Gary Cooper ambled onto the stage, nervously opened the envelope, and then the famous Cooper twinkle broke forth full force as he called for Bing to step up and take his prize.
Bing equal to the occasion
Even at that moment, Der Bingle was not at a loss for an answer.
He said:
It proves that this is still a land of equal opportunity for all. When a guy like Leo McCarey can take a broken-down crooner like me by the hand and lead me to this piece of happy crockery.
Now, if someone will just find me a horse to win the Kentucky Derby…
But quiet Ingrid Bergman topped even Bing. As she received her Oscar from Jennifer Jones, Ingrid said:
I’m so relieved. I’m making Bells of St. Mary with Bing Crosby and Leo McCarey. And if I hadn’t gotten this, I’m afraid they wouldn’t even have spoken to me at work tomorrow.
Transportation problem hits critical stage
No improvement is in sight
By Roger W. Stuart, Scripps-Howard staff writer
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In Washington –
Republicans may propose curbs on OPA
Committee to quiz Bowles next week
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Mt. Pleasant G.I. blasts Nazi mine
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