THE WAR IN REVIEW
THE WAR IN REVIEW THERE were recurring rumors of peace in Europe and just as many denials this week as the Allies pounded at Hitler's German fortress from the east and west and from the skies...
...However, the American position was seriously complicated this week when the Ludendorff bridge, the seizure of which had made the bridgehead possible, Collapsed...
...Of that total, MacArthur declared, 145,-000 were killed or captured in the first 9 weeks of the campaign on Luzon...
...It was apparent that Moscow had no spectacular gains to announce and that the Germans were resisting fanatically...
...Slashing down from the north and driving into the Saar Basin from the west, Patton's forces were crushing the fixed Nazi defenses against the American 7th Army and French troops surging up through the Siegfried Line from the south...
...Churchill Talks Bluntly The spotlight in the political news fell on Prime Minister Winston Churchill...
...From Manila, Gen...
...The casualties—19,308— were a little more than half of the total casualties in all previous central Pacific campaigns...
...Confusion In The East Further to the north, the Yanks were massing along the last great barrier to the German heartland...
...Such a man," he declared, "in fact might well appear for the moment as a benefactor of humanity...
...Spearheading south, his hard-charging armored columns posed a serious threat of entrapment to the German troops between the Rhine and the French border...
...George S. Patton's 3rd Army in the Middle Rhine sector, south of the American bridgehead at Remagen...
...All America breathed a sigh of relief at Admiral Nimitz' announcement that the costly, 26-day campaign had at last ended...
...This, it was plain, was a reference to the United States...
...President Roosevelt dignified them with an official denial, stating the U. S. State Department had had no "feelers" and that he was informed that the British Foreign Office had received none...
...The rumors were given impetus by the furious offensive of Lt...
...Moscow maintained a tight-lipped silence, except to announce the fall of specific objectives...
...there was danger that the enemy might mount a powerful counterblow to wipe out the bridgehead...
...This capacity for resistance was noted in the air also...
...The rumors increased in volume when it was reported that the Germans had made overtures to the British Embassy in Stockholm...
...The need for other crossings to prevent a concentration of German power at Remagen was urgent...
...Patton had smashed into Coblenz and had wiped out all but a few pockets of resistance at mid-week...
...Konev was attacking southwest of Breslau and Gen...
...Although asserting the British right to economic aid from this country, he made it clear that Britain wanted no interference or advice on its colonial policy...
...There was little doubt that the entire area would soon be cleared of German troops and that Allied armies would stand in complete command of all German territory west of the Rhine...
...A Russian broadcast also reported that the Nazis were storing vast amounts of equipment in Bavaria and Austria for a last-ditch stand...
...In the Pacific the most heartening development of the week was the successful conclusion of the campaign in Iwo...
...Meanwhile, the Soviet capital reported that Allied strategy for "simultaneous blows of stupendous force which will effect the juncture of our armies somewhere in central Germany" had been worked out...
...But history later would classify him among those who, in & great, grave, and decisive hour, have deluded the hopes of the peoples...
...The bridgehead at Remagen had successfully withstood a week of German counterattacks and had been extended far enough to the east to cut one of Hitler's prize superhighways...
...Meanwhile, Pope Pius warned in an address that the road to peace is "still covered with shadows which perhaps might conceal surprises and dangers...
...Berlin, however, reported that the Russians were attacking all along the front from the Danube to the Baltic Sea...
...Petrov was reported to have smashed a German counterattack against his drive down the Danube Valley...
...In the north, Danzig and Konigsberg were under siege, as was Stettin...
...Pleading for a "reconcilation of peoples" that will be liberal and generous for a just peace settlement, the Catholic leader hinted that the peace organization might be used to further the advantages of one man—an obvious reference to Stalin...
...With this vital supply funnel cut off...
...Britain, he declared, has a right to claim postwar economic assistance " "from those we have helped to victory...
...There is no "need to seek advice even of our most honored Allies as to how we should conduct ourselves with regard to our own affairs," he told his cheering party members...
...Douglas MacArthur announced the losses in the last 5 months of the Philippine campaign...
...America lost 18,579 men as against 282.000 for the Japanese...
...Reports of military developments on the long Eastern Front continued confused...
...Allied planes raiding Berlin, Stettin, and other enemy strongholds in support of the Russian drive, reported heavy anti-aircraft fire and savage opposition from speedy jet-propelled planes...
...Addressing a national convention of his Conservative Party, Churchill did some blunt and forthright talking...
...THE WAR IN REVIEW THERE were recurring rumors of peace in Europe and just as many denials this week as the Allies pounded at Hitler's German fortress from the east and west and from the skies above...
...After disposing of the war, which he predicted would end before next Fall, he turned to the postwar world and what it held for Britain's ruling class...
...Where and when they would be attempted no one could say at mid-week...
...He emphasized, however, that Britain "must never agree to found our economic life on the indulgence or favor even of Allies we most dearly cherish...
Vol. 9 • March 1945 • No. 13
