The Anniston Star from Anniston, Alabama • Page 1

WAR NEWS ANALYSIS Wext Few Weeks To See Crisis For Hitlerites On Dnieper River By 1 L. SIMPSON Associated Press War Analyst Nazi Germany came to Its greatest crisis of the war this past week along the west bank of the Dnieper River. No important bridgehead outpost beyond that stream remains firmly In Geiman hands and even the Vitebsk gateway to Poland, the Baltic states and East Prussia appears to be cracking under the weight of the Russian steamroller attack. Berlin admitted Russian toeholds west of the river at unstated points That probably means above the Russian-besieged Kiev bastion in the sector north of the confluence the Pripit and the Dnieper as well as southeastward of Kiev where a Russian break-through to reach the Warsaw-Bel Tserktv-D e- trovsk railway would gravely jeopardize the whole Nazi right flank in Russia. Either threat to the Dnieper line Is critical.

It could not be held against. Russian penetration in force to the west bank of the river or either end. Yet it Is on the extreme flanks, north and south, tha 1 the first evidence of a Nazi retreat from the Dnieper must come if it is actually an early prospect as all reports suggest. Furious Battle Underway of the lower elbow of the licat bend of the Dnieper a furious to stall off a Russian flanking is reported by Berlin Moscow has not mentioned It. I Is clear, however, that heavy Rus sian forces, hampered by mud and rains, are trying to storm into the flat triangle below the broa Dnieper estuary and possibly cut of the Germans still in the Crimea The narrow Perokop isthmus, fitte by Nazis with a military railroad since the last Crimean campaign, i the only German escape route from that trap.

It cannot be doubted that German defense lines south of the Dnieper bend to the Sea of Azov coast are In communications difficulties. The river and Its marsnes the movement of men and -TSlipplies into the Dnlper-BIack Sea triangle if the Kharkov-Crimea railroad is as close under Russian guns as indicated. Left Flank Endangered The Russian seige of Vitebsk north of the upper bend of the Dnieper at Orsha is pointing a dangerous thrust at the whole left flank of the enemy clear to the Gulf of Finland coast west of Leningrad. By latest available reports from that only dormant sector, German forces still are deeply deployed east of the Pskov gateway to the southern end of Lake Ilmen and on the iipper Volkov. They appear to be relying on the marshes between the Lovat' and the Pollsta rivers southwest of Lake Ilmen to protect them from encirclement by the Russian army frlonths ago took Velikle Luki.

That Russian force must be merely biding its time. It may be waiting for thn freeze-up in Northern Russia or the fall of Vitebsk before striking out northwestward toward the critical Pskov gateway to Leningrad, less than 150 miles away. The first winter campaigning In Huslsa at which Russian forces heretofore have shown themselves the master of their foes in endurance, mobility and daring, is apt to come this year In that sector. North To Be Prime Spot It seems clear that the first symptoms ol a disastrous retreat from the Dnieper, even though the Russian penetration might occur In the center, are to be expected on the extreme north and south flanks ol the present line. Both hold pos- of entrapment of large oermajl forces.

By these and other signs, it seems probable that the next week or two along the Dnieper will see the crisis for the enemy. Weather Forecast A A A A Ultle change Sunday. LOCAL COTTON .51 Centi Complete A. P. and U.

P. Leased Wires. Member ABC and NBA VOL. 243. ANNISTON, ALA.

SUNDAY, OCT. 3, 1943. Doy And Night From m. 11 ft, m. Star United Prtw BhM work Associated fntt BvOtthM Hashed mr SUtlort WHHA.

"Final tt nt men presented each afternoon Kuaaij it 5:15 o'clock. TUESDAY'S DEBATERS--Meeting in person for the first time since they have been raging such a hot argument in their respective papers over the issue of the Now Deal, John Temple Graves, III (top) and Col. Harry Ayers (bottom) will engage in a formal debate at the Rercreation Center in Jacksonville Tuesday night. Contending that "the New Dea: has been dealt" will be the author of the famous column "This Morning." Colonel Ayers, prominent Alabama publisher, will take the opposing view and argue that the New Deal Is not over and that it will continue. The debate, which will mark the first of the series of Town Meetings for Peace to be held in Jacksonville, will begin at 7:30 o'clock.

LIMITATIONS WAIVED Arlm. Kimmcl And Gen. Short Waive Time Period Limitation WASHINGTON, Oct. 2. (U.R)-- The War and Navy Departments announced today that Rear Admiral Husband E.

Kimmel and Maj. Gen. Walter Campbell Short, commanders at Pearl Harbor at the time of the Japanese sneak attack, have waived any limitations in the ar- Ucles of war which might have kept from coming to court martial 'trial after next Dec. 7. One section of the articles governing (lie Army and Navy had been interpreted as possibly ruling out the holding of a trial more than two years after alleged commission of the offenses charged.

Secretary of War Henry L. Stim- and Secretary of Navy Frank Kuox said that the waiver agfeed to by Kimmel and Short would stand for the duration of the war and six months thereafter. The secretaries announced that the trials would not be held, therefore, "until such time in the future as may be decided 4ipon as being ap- propriate." HURRICANE THREAT PAST Disturbance In Gulf To Die Out During Night, Is Report MIAMI, Oct. 2, W)--The disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico which resulted in a hurricane alert and storm warning in the Florida area will die out during the night, the United States Weather Bureau reported this afternoon. In a 4:30 p.m.

(EWT) advisory, the Bureau said all danger was past no further bulletins would be Issued. Now centered about 170 miles southwest of Tampa the disturbance continues to diminish, the latest bulletin said. Fresh to moderately strong squalls arc lessening in force. Storm warnings were ordered down this morning. New Type Program Of Fun To Be Held At Zinn Park A new kind of program of fui for Boy Scouts of Calhoun Counts has been arranged for the night October 12 at Zinn Park where the headquarters office for the Choc colocco Council is located.

This pro gram is sponsored jointly by The Anniston Star and Radio Station WHMA. Invitations have been extended every Boy Scout in the county, bu efforts are being made for the boy to attend In a group with fellow members from their own troops. A program of songs will be con ducted with Lewis Garrett and Jerry Faegin, assistant scoutmas ters of Troop 7, in charge. Stunts by the representatives various troops and yells by thi troops will be included. Also then will be "magic, fire starting." A 15-mlnute section of the pro gram will be broadcast over Radic Station WHMA.

If this new typ of rally and fun program prove successful, then others will be ar ranged from time to time, it wa, said. CEILING ON HOGS Who Is Going To Get The Pork At Government Price? CHICAGO, Oct. 2. pric ceiling goes into effect on live hog In all major markets Monday am the meat producing industry wa wondering today what will happen If packers willing to pay max! mum prices and there are no enough hogs to satisfy the demani at that level. If such a situation develops, am on the basis of present higher-than ceiling prices It appears that i will, the question livestock commis slon men, who sell hogs, and mea packers, who buy them, want an swered Is: who will get the hogs? PUSS 5c A COPY--25o A WEEK BY CARRIER $457,208 lounty Citizens Lauded For Excellent Record Achieved During Campaign "With Friday night's total figured 5457.209.Z5 over the quota of $3,265,000 we believe that at the conclusion of the drive at midnight Saturday Calhoun County will have her goal In the Third American War Loan Campaign by over half a million dollars," finance Chairman Howard Cater announced late Saturday afternoon.

At the time of this report Calhoun citizens had purchased $3,122,209.25 worth of War Bonds. Attributing the success of the drive to the united effort of citizens all over the county and to the cooperation of all solicitors Chairman later released the figures showing amounts purchased by various sections of the county, all of which met and surpassed their original goals. Piedmont bought 5155,137.50 worth of bonds; Oxford, and Jacksonville, $15,000. Further Chairman Cater commented on the work of solicitors at Anniston Ordnance Depot under the direction of Lieut. A.

D. DuBose, and ot soldiers at the Fort under the leadership of Col. J. L. Tunstall.

At the Ordnance Depot $22,875 over and above the regular payroll savings were purchased. At the Fort 5.200 bonds ivere Issued with a value of 5132,321. Earning special praise for their efforts on behalf of the drive were the citizens of rural Cnlhoun POUII- ty, who, despite Jhc fact that all hands were needed to pick cotton, took time out to sell and buy War Bonds. Tills committee worked under the direction of Manning Christian who organized every beat in the county, thus contacting all citizens. This rural group surpassed the goal set up for them by local officials.

DeArmanvillc Uoslcr DeArmanvllle Community was under the direction of French Rhodes with Mesdames C. Ross Baker and Phil Whitcsidc, M. L. Nelson, W. O.

Chitwood, Dr. W. A. Ncal. J.

C. Acton and H. D. Hughes also on the committee. C.

H. Hawkins led Alexandria with the help of Mesdames Ruby Gardner, Laura Pelham, C. S. Waldrop, Nathan Owens, Thomas Massey, Ed Broom, Will JJeyey-iiMBiKiMasseS; Norman Moore, tVMEhaVB' arid J. C.

Motes, Clark McCullars, Lester Reynolds, Robert Page, Walter Howard, Bill McClellan, C. L. Peters and Grover Nunnetly. At Duke workers were under P. F.

Webster. They were Tom Mooney, Harry Hoven, Leslie Hall. Jphnnie Brittain, T. L. Pentecost, Will Taylor and Reeves Kelley.

Wellington Community was under the leadership of D. D. Weaver with the following workers: B. H. Hood, J.

W. Broughton, Buddie Crook, Misses Vivian Birmingham, Frances Heed, Geneva Page and Mcsdnmes A. Wellington, Wheeler Brittain, L. Pettis, J. A.

Harvey. F. J. Cole was in charge of the drive at Weaver with L. W.

Dauyh- erty, Clay Box, W. M. Longshore, T. Eros, A. R.

Williams, Dillard Medders, E. L. Rivers. F. E.

McCullars, W. B. Cole and A. E. Patty.

Hollingsworth Community, D. K. Upshaw, chairman, J. E. Hallcy, H.

F. Watson, Jack Jones, C. B. Chand ler, Joel Borden, Joe Dothard, A. B.

Brown, Loise Hollingsworth, George Hall and Mrs. Lizzie Cheatwood. White Plains, W. J. Harper, chairman, Mesdamcs Belle Barnwell, Ruby Reed, Minnie Houck, W.

H. Barnwell, Miss Sophinia Williams, J. C. McCllnton, J. H.

Newell, Hubert Harper; Jacksonville (rural) Dean Edwards, chairman, S. A. Williams, 3. L. Messen, M.

Pariis, O. S. Talbot, Archie Glass, Harvey Carpenter; Piedmont (rural) Horace Burnham, chairman, C. L. Morgan, F.

X. Woolf, J. C. Boles, Gor don Woody, and Misses Nannie Flannlgan, Beulah Wilson and Pay Glover. Webster's Chapel Area Webster's Chapel, D.

W. Roper, chairman, Mesdames F. M. Allsup, J. A.

Bottoms, Nannie Meeks, Fannie Browning and Miss Margaret Welch, Earnest Boozer, Eugene Smith, H. T. Lusk, Dannie Noah; Greenwood. Jet Wnde. chairman, Mrs.

Carl Watson, L. T. Lusk, Mrs. Beulah Grogan, M. J.

Wharton, Ed Parker, C. C. Simpson, Dutch Kirk, Earnest Young, W. G. Buttram, Ab (Please turn to page IS, column 3.) Australians Capture Jap Base Of Finschhafen, Routing Enemy Disastrous Wartime Inflation Cheeked-Battle Not Yet Won ASHINGTON, Oct.

2. Disastrous wartime inflation has been prevented thus far, but "the battle has not been won," directors of three economic stabilization agencies reported tonight. Observing the first anniversary of the passage of the stabilization act of Oct. 2, 1943, Director of Economic Stabilization Fred M. Vinson, Chairman William H.

Davis of the War Labor Board, and Price Administrator Prentiss M. Brown Issued statements praising the public for cooperating government control measures. All three warned, however, lhat unremitting efforts are necessary to "prevent damage being done by the many Inflationary factors which will continue throughout the war period." Almost coincidental Kith release of these statements, reliable sources reported that the government had given in to producer, pressure In connection with proposed consume; price ceilings on apples and was be- Inb subjected to similar pressure In connection with similar contemplated regulations for orange and winter vegetable prices. The government began its battle against inflation before the war, but the act of Oct. 2, 1942, directing stabilization of living costs at Sept.

15,1942, levels where possible, "made it possible to do a far better Job of 'holding the line' against a sharp rise in the cost of livings," Vinson said. Oil the labor sector of the anti- inflation front. Davis declared that the ''War Labor Board has held the stabilization line." ALLIES BUTTLE TOIf EftCE Russians Capture 320 More Towns; Guerrillas Snipe Nazis By, GAYLE TAI.BOT Associated Press War Editor "With Naples behind them and an all-weather supply line firmly secured, Allied invasion forces fought heir way northward toward Rome ast night against stiff German resistance that promised .0 5'icld few prisoners. There was no indication from Al- ied headquarters IIOTV far Gen. Mark W.

Cltvrk's troops had progressed in the mobile fighting, but probably had not yet reached wide Volturno River, which could form a temporary defense ine for the Nazis some 20 miles north and northwest of Naples. An Allied spokesman was quoted as saying that Ihe Bcnevento, 32 niles northeast Naples, was "directly threatened" by Gen. Clark's 'orces and tlial "the road to Rome is now open." It was admitted, however, that the Germans were their usual calculated withdrawal under the direction of Marshal Erwin Rommcll and that they were likely to reach their next defense line more or less intact. There was no wall Hitler could mild to keep out the bombers, ihotigh. and one after another of his cities continued to go up in smoke and rubble.

Flying fortresses, escorted by Thunderbolt Fighters, struck at the North Sea port of Emden again by daylight yesterday, the second time within a week, knocking down 19 Nazi planes en bombed It last Monday poured in a load of explosives the same night, The Russians, retaining their customary reticence between announcements of major victories, reported in yesterday's communique merely that 320 more towns had been taken In their drive into White Russia, and that three fortified German positions were captured in the Kuban. Fresh Russian Drive The German radio was more expansive. It said the Russians launched a "fresh and particularly massive" assault yesterday morning at an unspecified point along the Dnieper, "preceded by artillery fire on German positions, which heralded a massed offensive by battle planes and bombers." It said the attack was beaten The allied occupation of Naples was announced to the Russian people in a four-line dispatch in Moscow's newspapers. Yugoslav guerrillas were reported attacking German reinforcements moving from Italy toward the Yugoslav coast. Bitter, Inconclusive struggles continued around the northern Italian communications center of Gorlzia and the northern Yugoslav city of Ljubljana.

From the Turkish capital at Ankara came reports of a large-scale light raging for inner Islands of the Aegean Sea, apparently between the Nazis and British and Greek forces trained In the Middle East. The Germans apparently were making heavy attacks on Coo and Lero Islands, which recently were occu pied by British airborne forces. To Invade Burma Predicting that the Invasion ol Burma was not far Brig. Gen. Howard C.

Davidson declared at American Air Force headquarters in India that aerial pounding had crippled the enemy in Burma to the extent that a "successful defense by the Japanese Is nearly impossible." In some cases, he said, the movement of Japanese supplies had been halted altogether. In an attack on the Important Japanese base at Akyab on Friday huge fires visible for 50 miles were set. a communique said, while more a 26 tons of bombs were dropped on enemy troop concentrations and rail Installations at Ttiail. The latest Japanese effort to break through the Allied blockade In the Central Solomons has cost him two cargo and probably a destroyer and a third merchantman a communique from Gen. Doufflas MacArthur'a headquarters said Saturday.

BIRMIAN KILLED Three Filers Die On Routine Fllghl At Jacksonville Air Base JACKSONVILLE, Oct. 2. (dm --Three fliers were killed In a plane crash here Friday on a routine i Jacksonville Naval Air Station officials announced today. The victims were Ensign Frederick R. Norton, 20, (726 S.

34th St.) Birmingham, Volna D. Redman, 20, aviation radioman, RFD 6) Columbia, and Nicholas SzejTda, "30, seaman. (113 Highland Ave.) Chuter, Ft. ALLIED MERCHANTMAN BOMBED tman was blown wide open k.itu**iiimii wna uiuvvil wuio ODcIl by a Nazi bomb Allied forces made their landings at Salerno under a heavy barrage from enemy shore batteries and bombers. (Newsrecl pool photo), TI CRISIS Breakdown I Transport System Foreseen By HAROLD ill.

McKINLEY AKRON, Oct. possible breakdown in rubber-borne transportation immediate and drastic tire conservation measures are taken was seen today by executives of five major Akron rubber companies. A survey of the industry's leaders brought into sharp focus steps taken ty the government to 1 haustion of the present of new truck and passenger car lires before the industry can get into volume production of synthetic tires. Rubber executives viewed the new reduction in value of and gaso- ine rations coupons from three to two gallons as a mnjov hplp In tire conservation, other steps in this direction were the 20 per cent cut the October quotas of passenger car tires and the boosting to 601 miles the essential monthly driving car owner must do before he is eligible for a new passenger car tire ration certificate. The president 01 one rubber company declared the nation's stock of tires now Is less than 3,000,000, adding the supply problem is mainly one of manpower.

"There is plenty of synthetic rubber, but not enough workers to convert it into tires," said President William O'Nell of the General Tire Rubber Co. "We are today in a rubber crisis," commented John L. Collyer, president of the B. F. Goodrich Co.

He declared "the greatest contribution that American car and truck owners can make toward solution of the problem Is to keep within the national speed limit of 35 miles per hour, maintain recommended inflation pressures, adhere to recommended load limits and rigidly follow all rules ot tire care." Referring to the government demand for at least 30,000,000 passenger car synthetic tires in 1944, Executive Vice President Lee R. Jackson of the Firestone Tire Sc Rubber Co. declared that "unless precau- tioas arc taken there is great danger of a breakdown in our transportation and a consequent disruption of our war production effort." PURGE JEWS German! Open Reign Ol Terror In Denmark STOCKHOLM, eOcl. Germans have launched a purjte of Denmark's 6,000 Jews, they announced officially In Berlin and Copenhagen today, opening a gest- apo-Btorm troop reljtn of terror which prompted Sweden to Intercede quickly tonight with an offer of haven lot the victims and a warning for the Nazi oppressors. The Swedish government announced formally that It had asked Germany to permit Danish Jews to come to Sweden, but a Swedish spokesman said there were strong rumors that the Germans already had begun to deport the Jews (o Germany and Poland.

German officials announced (hat the Jews were being "removed from public life" in Denmark. "1 DEMAND VENGEANCE" LONDON, Oct. 2. bodies of more than Russians slain by the Germans have been found crammed Into Hie shaft of a mine near Slallno, Alexel Tolslol charged in an ar- Hcle entitled "I Demand Vengeance," which the Moscow radio broadcast In English tonight. The broadcast, recorded by The i Monitor In London, quoted Tolstoi as saying tersely that a special state commission to investigate German crimes "Is now Investigating whether the Germans threw their victims ilown the shaft alive or whether they shot them first." Tolstoi also charged lhat the Germans InaUguralcil i rule of KlidrhoT'" Iri December, 1041, A by slaughtoriuif literally Hie whole Jewish population of (he city, some 23,000 to 24,000 persons Including even babies, The bodies were piled Into two uig FflRMGOSLS Military And Foreign Demand To Be Heavy In '44 WASHINGTON, Oct.

3. (iPi-- With military and foreign relief demands for food steadily increasing, the War Food Administration has set 1944 farm production goals which call for use of every crop ncre and every a i facility in the country. Given average growing conditions, the proposed plantings would provide the nation with a harvest considerably greater tlmn the record output of food expected this year. The goals will be laid before Congress on Wednesday, and before state agricultural war boards at meetings to be held this month. In addition to Increased over-all volume, the program proposes significant changes in the nation's agricultural pattern.

Some of the direct food consumption crops--such as dry beans and peas, soybeans, peanuts, wheat, vegetables and potatoes--would get first claim on the use of crop land. Feed crops, particularly lower- yielding types, would give way to food crops and higher yielding feed crops. Because feed supplies arc expected to be 18 per cent smaller per animal unit, the goals call for a reduction in some types of livestock production, particularly hogs, chickens, and turkeys. CHIEF CLERK RJIT1 OFFICE Branch Offices Abolished At Jacksonville, Piedmont The position of chief clerk as well as that or administrator of the OPA In Cnlhoun County was vacai Saturday and there was no indlca 1 tlon as to when the clerk vacancy 1 would be tilled, The clerkship snlnrled Job, but that ot admin Istrator is non-paying. Roscoe Wilson who had served as chief clerk since the beginning the mileage rationing progra tendered his resignation Frldaj night.

His resignation came a da; after that of E. D. Banks, forme administrator. Mcantftne. representatives fron Ihe district OPA office in Birming ham have been assisting here Branch offices at Jacksonville am Piedmont have been eliminated am changes nrc being made in the methods of handling application at such places as Anniston Ordnance Depot and the industries heie in Annlstou.

No directives concerning proce dure on tickets ah-cady issued for gasoline on the basis of three gallon value had been received Sat urday. The value of the gasoline coupons had been reduced to two gallons, however, and this reduction will not allow anticipated travel. WAR COST Unrlc Sam Spending Billions On Prosecution Ol War WASHINGTON, Oct. 2. activities cost the United State: government $20,616,147,399 durini the past three months, as compared with $14,166,323.682 spent during th same period last year, the Treasury said today.

The Treasury statement for til first quarter of the fiscal year showed that War Department expenditures amounted to $12.078.635,025. The Navy spent $5,843,757,197 and the Maritime Commission, J1.045,- 396,880. Remaining expenditures were distributed through various other government agencies. Last month's war activity expenditures of $0,952,343,935 were below the August total of $7,232,000.000. LONDON HAS RAID AI.ERT LONDON.

Sunday. Oct. 3. (U.R)-- The London area had an air raid alert lasting approximately 30 minutes early today when enemy planes caused anti-aircraft batteries to go into action. Bombs were dropped in a rural area near an East Anglian town.

Alabama Boom Time Treasury Balance Now Is $40,159,976 NO GROUNDS FOR PROBE ATLANTA, Oct. 2. Patterson, Regional Office of Price Administration (OPA) enforcement attorney, today sustained the Nashville, district office's holding that OPA had no grounds to investigate a crpss-country automobile trip made by Tennessee's Governor Prentlco Cooper, TV.TONTGOMERY. Oct. 2.

"robust" because of boom times or "bloated" by inflation, depending on the point of view, has more money In Its official pocket now than ever before. That's official: at least the condition of the treasury at the end of the past fiscal year is official. Treasury balance showed $40,159576 on hand at the end of the fiscal year. Including "book Items." That wasn't all gravy, or clear money. A large portion of the total has been pledged, Finance Director Hayse Tucker explained, and other millions have been set aside lor various services.

"The fact that we have a balance," Tucker said, docs not mean that we have a lot of money to spend, or that, the balance will be hero very lovp after the beginning of a new Jl' 'ar. wo have made larger expenditures, such as $2,000,000 to schools and $6,250,000 in income taxes invested In War Bonds, our statement reflects an increase of over a year ago in cash distributed among the various funds." Ciov. Chauncey Sparks said a great deal of the Increase in money available for various services had been allotted lor health, education and welfare work. No definite word as to the results of the Increased appropriations may be obtained until actual results are shown. However, some optimistic predictions were made: "The sooner we can stop this war," said Dr.

B. F. Austin, atate health officer, "the sooner we can intensify our campaign against tuberculosis and cancer--two diseases which annually rival the battle- Held casualty lists." Nippon's Best Fighting Men Fail To Stave Off Rush Of Aussie Veterans By OLEN CLEMENTS ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC, Sunday, Oct. bilferly de- 'ended air and sea base at Flnsch- lafcn In Northeast New Guinea was captured at o'clock Saturday morning by Australia's famed Ninth Division in a final charge that drove he Japaneje defenders before hem. Supported by a damaging aerial assault by American attack and dlvo bombers, the Australians at- the village from two direc- llons and overcame opposition from the enemy's pillbox defenses.

Japanese marines who defended the base held on as long as possible and then scattered before the Australians' rifle and machine gun fire. Some Japanese took to the hills and jungle and others fell on tha field. No Mention Of Prisoners There was no mention of the Australian "diggers" taking any prisoners in their final assault. No official estimate had been given of the size of the garrison defending Finschhaf en. Elements of the Australian division which took Fuischhafen originally landed 12 miles east of Lae on Sept.

4. While another force which landed only 10 days ago six miles north ot Finschhafen was held, on the northern outskirts village by fixed defenses, the Lao force fought through 48 miles the worst jungle country In New Guinea to make the capture. Finschhafen Is the third major Japanese position to fall since Sept, 12 when Salamaun fell to the Allies. Lae was captured Sept. 16.

The Australian oth division won fame for its action In El Alamein, Later it was brought from the desert in Egypt and given extensive train- Ing In jungle warfare. Now Control Hiion Gulf The capture of Finschhafen by breaking through fixed Japanese defenses gave the Allies complete control of Huon Gulf which overlooks Japanese-held New Britain only 10 miles away. MacAithur's spokesman said 100 bodies of Japanese marines, generally considered the enemy's best troops, were found at Finschhafen when the Australians broke through. The capture of Finschhafen in IB days was MacArthur's shortest operation yet against a major Japanese position. Lae, 60 miles to tho west, fell fn 12 days.

In other campaigns, at Buna, Gona and Munda, weeks were required to rout the Japanese from, their coconut, palm machine gun emplacements such as were encountered at Finschhafen, a onetime German missionary village. The final assault on Finschhafen was a typical jungle one. The Aus- sles braved heavy Japanese fire and silenced the Nipponese machine- guns with hand grenades. The Japanese pulled back, taking advantage of each height and stubbornly contesting every yard. At times the Australi'an desert veterans were forced virtually to scale perpendicular heights to get at the foe.

Throughout the campaign, MacArthur's spokesman said. Allied losses have been much lighter than the enemy's. Japs Easier Than Germans The Australians themselves described the Japanese us much easier foes a the Germans in the desert. One Australian officer said that Allied troops woulc' have been unable to cross the Bum! River two miles north of Finschhafen if the Germans had been opposing them. The Bum! is 30 yards wide and was well covered by enemy machine gun (ire.

Japanese forces, the spokesman said, are now scattered over a wide area and the Australian: are In hot pursuit. Other activity was far overshadowed by the work of ground troops, but American surface units, presumably PT based in the South Pacific, caught a fleet of Jap barges moving toward Kolombangara In the New Georgia group the night of September 29 and mnrnlng of September 30 and sank nine. A spokesman said three more later were destroyed. At the same time medium, torpcdn and dive bombers twice attacked the Japanese barge depot at Kakasa on Cholseul Islands in tho Solomons, starting (ires and catutng heavy damage. Reconnaissance planes over vlcng, New Ireland, attacked damaged freighter..