The Leader-Post from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada • 1

WEATHER FORECAST Fair and warmer THE LEADER-POST VOL. XXXVI, NO. 132 EIGHTEEN PAGES REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN, TUESDAY, JUNfe 6, 1944 rn tpiu ilMllA A HH HMI Imm iective IMlfe OTTAWA, June 6 (CP). Amid an uproar in. the commons today, Prime Minister Mackenzie King said that Canadian invasion forces had gained their initial objective and were making good progress.

UMBRELLA SUPREME The stunning aerial bombard-Allied Expeditionary Force, June ment fell on the Normandy land-6 (AP). Through a rolling ocean ing beaches as the first phases of of clouds 5,000 feet thick Allied the co-ordinated assault began, air forces threw 11,000 aircraft of almost every type into the grand Invasion of Europe today, bombing and straAng miles of Normandys beaches and flying inland to break, the enemys communications. Two things stood out in the air operations launched In support of the landings in northern France. The first was the mass of airplanes the Allies were able to put into the sky in weather described as just fair. The other was the absence of German resistance.

These raids came after the R.A.F. bomber command sent more than 1,300 of the biggest British and Canadian planes roaring across the channel last night and early today in the heaviest aerial attack ever aimed at German batteries along the French coast. Meanwhile airmen in the first 10 waves of American fighter-bombers to take part in the nonstop operations reported no serious opposition from German fighters anywhere over the channel or the beachhead. SUPREME HEADQUARTERS, Allied Expedi-tionary Force, June 6 (AP). Allied forces landed in the Normandy area of northwest France today and have thrust several miles inland against unexpectedly slight German opposition and with losses much smaller than had been anticipated.

The grand assault scheduled for yesterday but postponed until today because of bad weather found the highly-vaunted German defences much less forthidable in every department than had been feared. The Vichy radio said to- I night: It must be admitted that the Allied beachhead area has been considerably widen- ed and that Allied reinforce- ments are pouring in. i The German Transocean I news agency said the Allied offensive area had been extended to the entire Norman peninsula. The agency reports that about 80 medium-sized Allied warships are approaching the town of Quistreham in the estuary of the Orne river. The DNB news agency has acknowledged that Allied tanks had penetrated several kilometres between the towns of Caen and Isigny on the Normandy peninsula.

Airborne troops who led the assault before daylight on a huge scale suffered extremely small losses in the air," headquarters disclosed tonight, even though the great plane fleets extended across 200 miles of sky and used navigation lights to keep formation. Naval losses for the seaborne forces were described at headquarters as very, very small, although 4,000 ships and several thousand smaller craft participated in taking the British, Canadian and American troops to France. Six hundred naval guns, opening fire on the French coastal stretch west of Le Havre, laid down a mighty barrage of 2,000 tons of shells each 10 minutes beginning at 5:15 a.m. today as the Allied invasion ol Europe PARATROOPS HIT great invasion of Europe R.C.N. TTH CANADIAN FORCES FRANCE, 6 (CP).

landing-craft flotillas of the Royal Canadian navy carried a portion of the Canadian assault troops France and put them down on 'beaches in the first wave of A reserve formation which in on the heels of the assault HARD: Allied air borne soldiers was launched. BRITISH PLANES ISP JtfojJL ftj 5c were the first wave as the fantry goes to the beach along these ramps. In addition to the LCI large, a Royal Canadian navy Landing Ship Infantry, a much larger craft of about 10,000 tons, also shared in this huge operation. It went to within several miles of the coast of France and then the small landing craft assault 50-foot craft were lowered from her and carried the infantry in the rest of the way. Cook describes mighty blows By J.

A. M. COOK (Leader-Post War Correspondent) HEADQUARTERS OF THE ALLIED ARMIES, June 6. One of history's most advertised invasions smashed suddenly on the German-held continental coasts today as Allied air power began the blitz from the west. First blows came from the air and for hours Allied planes roared low across southern England and out to sea.

Troops, long schooled in assault tactics, and loaded secretly into assault craft at scores of hiding places along the coast joined in the caily phases. Canadian elements were reported with the British and American assault troops. Belief is held here that the invasion thrust was speeded by a good break in the weather. Last night there were cloudy skies, following a falling glass and tome ram in the straits but at 6:45 this morning a rainbow blossomed in the dawn skies, within an hour of the first blow across the channel. F.

IK It. icrites prayer WASHINGTON. June 6 Closeted in his bedroom. President Roosevelt spen the early morning hours of the invasion writing a prayer for victory for the Allied forces of liberation. Mr.

Roosevelt -ill broadcast ft oo ochick T. tonight with the hope that the United States will join him in the prayer he rote. MOKE INSIDE For maps, pictures and background stones of the momentous happenings of the day. turn to pages, six, seven, eght and nine. SINGLE COP landed Canucks The King, calls for prayers MONTGOMERY Tie invasion mil be a rough show but it will succeed.

After nearly five years of toil and suffering we must renew that crusading impulse on which we entered the war and met its darkest hour. We and our Allies are sure that our fight is against evil and for a world in which good ness and honor may be the foundation of life of men in every land. i That we may be worthily matched with this new summons of destiny, I desire solemnly to call my people to prayer and dedication. We are not unmindful of our shortcomings of the past and present. We shall not ask that God may do our will but that we may be enabled to do the will of God; and we dare to believe that God has used our nation and empire as an instrument for fulfilling His high purpose.

In Ottawa OTTAWA, June 6. Prime Minister Mackenzie King asked that the hearts of all in Canada today be filled with silent prayer" for the success of the operations begun in France by Canadian and other forces when he spoke on the invasion at the opening of the commons. Canadian flag WITH THE CANADIAN INVASION FORCES, June 6. The Canadian ensign popularly known as the Canadian flag went into battle today with Canadian forces for the first time in this war. Up to now, the Union Jack has been flown.

The ensign has the Union Jack in the top left corner and the Dominion's coat of arms in the lower right-hand comer, all on a red background. were also carried by R.C.N. craft. This was the biggest task ever undertaken by the R.C.N. landing-craft flotillas.

The craft they used were what is officially designated as Landing Craft Infantry. They are large, about 200 feet long, and look like a miniature destroyer. They carry about 200 soldiers. They nose upon the beach and long ramps shoot up on either side. Around the sharp bow the in IN Two to the attack.

went waves was taken to France entirely by Canadian craft and crews, and other follow-up troops PARATROOPERS LAND BEHIND ENEMY 't 'V, reached r- KNOCK OUT TANKS 4 fi a A 4) Ml Tr A A-vJ) FORCES 0 ASHORE (Continued on Page Six) Leader -Post newsmen there FLASHES LONDON. Adolf Hitler is taking personal command oi all German anti-invasion operations, the Evening Standard said today on the basis of underground reports from the continent. LONDON, June 6 (CP). The King Tuesday night called upon his subjects to offer us earnest and continuous and widespread prayer throughout the present crisis of the liberation of Europe. Prayer, he said, would fortify the "determination of our sailors, soldiers and airmen who go forth to set captives free." At this historic moment surely not one of us is too busy, too young or too old to play their part in the nationwide, perchance worldwide, vigil of prayer as the great crusade sets forth," the King said in a BBC broadcast.

Hospital craft saving lives LONDON, June 6 (BUP), British, Canadian and American soldiers who tfell under German fire as the first waves of invaders swept onto the French beach were being evacuated Tuesday in special hospital landing craft which penetrated to the shore close behind the assault troops. Hundreds of lives were being saved by naval doctors who performed emergency operations on tables anchored to the decks of ships. Army surgical teams went ashore under fire and set up first aid stations where they gave urgent shock treatments and dressed wounds. Men who were unable to walk were carried to the landing craft in litters. Doctors on the landing craft, with flashlights attached to foreheads to leave both hands free, worked swiftly and calmly as wounded men were placed before them.

Die now cast says Western By MAURICE WESTERN Leader-Post War Correspondent LONDON, June 6 (By Special Cable). The die is cast and all is on the hazard. By land and sea and air the war this morning is roaring to an ear-splitting climax as British, Canadian and American troops of General Montgomery's army group storm up the beaches and through the coastal defences of northern France. This is the culmination of the long and arduous preparation for over five years by the Canadian troops in Britain, in concerted effort with their fighting comrades of the United Nations. This is the acid test of the greatest job of international teamwork ever 'attempted in the history of mankind.

Ever since General Eisenhower was appointed to the supreme command we have been asking questions. From today on we shall write the answers as men create them on continental battlefields in heroism, blood and sweat. In the tri-phibious strategy of the United Nations, air fleets paved the way for the armies and navies. Working to a single plan and under a single control exercised by Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, they have "blasted the enemy from stronghold after stronghold, tom up his communications, crippled his industries, decimated the luftwaffe. From an early hour this morning they have been roaring over the grey waters of the channel, covering the disembarkation of our crusading armies.

Despite the unprecedented air achievement it is calculated in London that the enemy still has LONDON (BUP). Military observers said today that a general Russian offensive co-ordinated with the Anglo-American attack from the west may be launched within the next 48 hours and almost certainly will begin before the weekend. LONDON. Gen. Wilhelm Hunsteen, commander-in-chief of the Norwegian underground, broadcast an order to all organized fighting groups inside Norway today to "be prepared to take part in the great settlement.

WASHINGTON. President Roosevelt today summoned top army and navy chiefs to the White House lor an invasion conference. Mr. Roosevelt called General Mai shall, army chief of staff; Admiral King, commander-in-ehief of the United States fleet, and General Arnold, commander of the aimy air forces. LONDON.

Reichinaishal Heiman Gnering declaied in an order of the day to the German air forces today that the invasion of western Europe "must be fought off even if it means the death of the luftwaffe. MOSCOW News of the Allied landings in 1 ranee spread swiftly throughout Russia today and touched off enthusiastic demonstrations such as rarely have been seem since the war began. War corresKindents in Moscow were the first to break the news, and they were quickly surrounded by cheering crowds who rushed to shake their hands and offer congratulations LANDING UNDER FIRE: Scene shows Canadian troops as they prepared for beachhead battles such as they are now taking part in on the coast of France. SUPREME HEADQUARTERS, Allied Expeditionaiy Force The Allied landings in France were postponed 24 horns due to bad weather, it was learned today. They were originally scheduled for Monday morning.

'As the time for the original D-Day approached thee wa' a clear sky, but the weatherman warned that a storm was coming and the operations were postponed 24 hours. Although the weather still looked bad when the inva-ion finally was ordered, the predictions were for dealing ikies and the expedition moved out. Minesweepers share in glory LONDON, June 6 (CP). In the face of enemy shore batteries and aircraft a gallant minesweeping force of 10.000 Britons and Americans guided D-days seaborne assault with the greatest minesweeping operation in history. The great armada of little ships converted fishing trawlers, coal burners which served in the First Great War.

ships still on the secret list and recently launched in British and American yards performed their task on a huge scale. The length of sweep wires used to tear loose moored mines stretched nearly 70 miles in all. With the sweepers steamed other ships which dropped markers to guie the invasion fleet through the cleared seas. BRITISH INVASION (Continued on Page Six).