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^MEDlTEItflANEANr Printed In Italy TWO LIRE Vol. 1, No. 243, Thursday, May 3, 1945

By Sgt. HOWARD TAUBMAN Staff Correspondent AFHQ, May 2—The German armies in Italy and in part of Austria have surrendered—completely and uncondi* tionally. The long, bitter, back-breaking campaign of Italy has been crowned with victory. In the theater where the western Allies made their first breach in Adolf Hitler's Fortress Europe, the fighting has come to an end with the surrender of an entire front. This front covers not only the rest of Italy where the sfPuted Germans have been fleeing in disorder but the western area of Austria. The Germans defending the Austrian provinces of Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg and parts of Carinthia and Styria have surrendered to the Allied might of the Mediterranean Theater. This means that vital cities like Innsbruck and Salzburg are ours without a fight. It means that Allied forces fake over Austrian territory within ten miles of Berchtesgaden, where Hitler built what he thought was a personal fortress so deep in the fastnesses of the Alps that it would take month*: and years to approach it. It means that the bankruptcy of German a&gressive policy and German arms U»% caused »n old li«e Prussian military leader like Col. Gen. Heinrich von Vietinghoff and a convinced Nazi like SS General Karl Wolff, the two commanders on this front who have surrendered, to ignore Hitler's and Himmler's injunction—to fis?ht to the endm It means that other fronts where the Germans have anv sort of sizable formations mav choose to follow «uit* It may be that here, in Italy, where the Allies have done their hardest and most sustained fighting, the way has been shown to German commanders how to end the useless slaughter at once. But above all else, the surrender in Italv means that the valorous fighters of the 5th and 8th Armies, who have fought their wav up the entire length of the relentless Apennines, need not begin the heart-breaking task ©f conquering the mountains that lead to the Brenner Pass and into Austria. It means, too, that the fliers of the Mediterranean AM«ed Air Forces need not go plunging into the flak allevs Ground Brenner Pass or in the other narrow passages among the Alps where the Germans (Continued on page 2)J Page 2 THE STARS AND STRIPES Thursday, May 3, 1945 Nazi Armies In Italy Give Up Instrument Brief, (Continued from page 1) the room. There was one chair at each end of the table. defended communication lines with murderous antiair­ An inkwell rested on each end of the table, and pens with With 3 Appendices craft fire. well-chewed wooden holders lay beside them. • The surrender documents were signed on Sunday The ceiling was brightly decorated in light blue and AFHQ, May 2— The terms of the afternoon, April 29, just after 2 PM in a closely guarded brown. Obviously the decorations were done during Mus­ unconditional surrender of the Ger­ man and Italian Fascist land, air room in the Royal Palace at Caserta. The terms were to solini's Fascist regime. The arms of the provinces were and naval forces were concisely take effect no later than Wednesday, May 2, at noon, painted into the design. The center piece of the ceiling listed in the Instrument of Sur­ render in six short paragraphs. Greenwich mean time (2 PM, Italian time). decoration had two Fasces—symbol of Mussolini's crushed Three appendices gave details. The signers were a German lieutenant colonel repre­ state and party—and the now ironic Latin slogan "Incipit The first of the five terms im­ senting General von Vietinghoff and a German major Novus Ordo (The new order begins). posed unconditional surrender upon the German Commander in Chief representing SS General Wolff. Lt. Gen. W. D. Morgan, There were two carpets, somewhat worn, on the floor Southwest of all forces under his chief of staff of AFHQ, signed as the representative of and white curtains on the walls reflected the glare from command or control. The second set the time of 1200 hours, GMT, Supreme Allied Commander Field Marshal Sir Harold the floodlights. In a corner stood a moving picture camera May 2, 1945, for the cessation of R. L. G. Alexander. ready to make a pictorial record of the scene. all hostilities. With the signing of the surrender documents, enemy The correspondents lined up against one wall and The third required immediate im­ mobilization and disarmament of forces estimated at somewhere between 600,000 and began making notes. At 1:55 a young American colonel enemy ground, sea and air forces, 900,000 men laid down their arms and became the pris­ walked in through a side door and checked the inkwells. and the fourth affirmed the obli­ gation of the German Commander oners of the fighting men of the Mediterranean Theater. Satisfied^that there was enough ink for the job in hand, in Chief Southwest to carry out any With the scratching of a pen on a sheet of paper— he went out again. further orders issued by the Su­ which is surely an act of peace—the Allies in Italy sealed preme Allied Commander. At 2:05 PM, a group of Allied officers — American, The final term stated that dis­ their final victory. In one swoop they landed what may British and Russian—entered through the main door. All obedience of orders or failure to turn out to be the largest prisoner haul of the war at one the Allied services — ground, air and sea — were repre­ comply with them was to be dealt with in accordance with the ac­ time and the largest chunk of enemy-controlled territory sented. The officers stood against the wall opposite us. cepted laws and usages of war. to be ceded without a battle. General Morgan came in last and stood behind a chair at The Instrument of Surrender The surrender took place with the full knowledge and stipulated that it was independent one end of the table. of and would be superseded by any consultation of the heads of state and Chiefs of Staffs At 2:08 PM the two German officers came in through general Instrument of Surrender not only in Washington and London but in Moscow as a side door, escorted by an American colonel and a British imposed by the United Nations upon Germany and the German well. Our Soviet ally was informed of every step of the lieutenant colonel. The Germans stood stiffly at the other armed forces as a whole. negotiations and its representatives were among the wit­ end of the table across from General Morgan. The Instrument and its appen­ nesses to the signing of the surrender documents. dices were written in English and The German lieutenant colonel, Von Vietinghoff's German. It can now be revealed that the first intimation of an representative, was tall, had blond* receding hair and a It stipulated that the decision of interest in surrendering came before the final attack by wisp of a mustache. His eyes were pale and aloof as if the Supreme Allied Commander General Mark W. Clark's 15th Army Group for the Po would be final if any doubt or dis­ trying to mask all feeling. He looked the Hollywood version pute arose as to the meaning or Valley began. Apparently that first glimmer of interest of a Prussian officer. interpretation of the surrender was not serious. The smashing success of the last Allied The German major, Wolff's emissary, was short, dark, terms. offensive in Italy accelerated German desires to quit in intense-looking. His face had a high color as if he could this theater. be short-tempered. There was less cool dignity in him but . Troops Within A few days before the actual signing, the German he had an air of more suppressed tension. Several times, commanders got word through to Allied leaders that they when the photographer came too close to him, he waved were ready to negotiate surrender. From the beginning it his hand with an imperious gesture but then hastily re­ t was made clear to them that the terms were complete strained himself. He looked his role, too—that of a spokes­ and unconditional submission. man for the thoroughly Nazified SS troops. MANILA May 2—American troops On Saturday, April 28, two German officers wearing on Mindanao in the southern Phil­ civilian clothes were flown down to AFHQ. They arrived Both Germans were in civilian clothes, smartly ippines have driven to within six dressed as if they had been outfitted on Bond Street in miles of Davao, largest city on the at 4 PM. The surrender terms were formalized and put London or by Brooks Brothers in New York. They wore island, General Douglas MacAr- into writing after a series of discussions. By 2 PM on Sun­ tbur announced today. checked sports coats—the colonel's jacket had the gaudier The communique did not con­ day the documents were ready for the signatures. checks—gray flannel trousers, gray shirts, dark blue ties firm the Borneo landings reported To record the historic event, six newspaper and radio by the Japanese yesterday. writers representing the world press, who had been chosen and brown shoes. Even in these peaceable getups, though Speaking in Australia's House of they looked as if they'd be perfectly at home on any coun­ Representatives, however, Acting by lot, were taken to the scene of the signing. We went try club veranda, they did not seem like men who would Prime Minister Joseph Crifley said secretly by plane from Rome. We had been told that the that famous Australian divisions win friends and influence people easily—without force. from the Middle East were taking trip might be to see recently liberated territory. We part in Borneo operations. thought it might be some kind of a linkup story. General Morgan, standing behind his chair, began the The utmost secrecy was necessary because the Ger­ proceedings, by saying, "I understand that you are pre­ GAIN ON OKINAWA pared and empowered to sign the terms of a surrender GUAM, May 2—The U. S. 7th mans, under the surrender terms, were required to turn Infantry Division has entered the over vital information on installations before the docu­ agreement. Is that correct?" vi:iage of Kahuzu, on the eastern ments became fully effective. Until the terms were fully The tall Prussian colonel replied, "Ja." flank of the southern Okinawa General Morgan repeated the question to the SS front, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz effectuated, there was always the grave peril that the reported today. Nazi High Command might discover what was in the major who did not understand the English. A translator Only local gains were scored yes­ put the question in German, and the major said, "Ja terday on the bitterly-contested wind and might intervene to break un the fulfillment of line in front of Naha and Shuri, the terms. wohl." largest island cities, the admiral Under the terms of the surrender document, Von General Morgan went on: "I have been empowered to said Japanese planes attacked sign this agreement on behalf of the Supreme Allied Com­ American shipping, damaging one Vietinghoff, German Commander in Chief of the South­ medium-sized vessel. west, quit fighting in all the territory in his charge. This mander—the terms to take effect by noon, May 2, Green­ included all of Italy as far east as the line of the Isonzo wich mean time. I now ask you to sign and I shall sign River. It does not include the city of Trieste, which is east after you." mis snore of the Isonzo and under the command of General Lehr, The Prussian colonel, speaking in clipped, rapid Ger­ man, interjected: "May I repeat, before signing, the point German Commander in Chief of the Southeast. which I made during negotiations—namely, that I per­ SS General Wolff, supreme commander of SS and sonally am going a little beyond my powers, but I presume Police and Plenipotentiary General of the Wehrmacht in that my commander in chief, Von Vietinghoff, will accept. KANDY, Ceylon, May 2 — Land­ Italy, agreed to give up all resistance in the Austrian ings south of Rangoon, the Burma But I caiinot be entirely responsible." capital, have been made by Allied provinces that he controlled. The translator repeated these words in English, and amphibious forces, aided by para­ The signing of the surrender terms took exactly 12 troops, the Southeast Asia Com­ General Morgan said, "I accept." mand announced today, Reuter's minutes. Hundreds of thousands of enemy troops and Speaking forcefully and deliberately, General Morgan reported. thousands of enemy-held square miles of territory were British and Indian troops es­ said, "It is understood, is it not, that these terms, if ac­ tablished themselves on both banks forfeited in a room 18 by 25 feet in size. The signing was cepted, enter into force at noon, May 2, Greenwich mean of the Rangoon River a few miles conducted with rigorous simplicity and with swift, mili­ time. Is this correct?" inland from the Gulf of Martaban, tary precision. advancing toward Rangoon from The German colonel said, "Ja wohl." beachheads about 40 miles to the It took place in General Morgans office. When the south. correspondents walked into the room at 1:45 PM, two The German major said, "Ja." Their landings have causht the "I now ask you to sign the documents," General Mor­ Burmese capital between the jaws photographers were there—one for stills and another for of north-south pincers. The 14th motion pictures. Eight powerful floodlights fed by a gen­ gan said. Army driving down the railroad The Prussian colonel sat down and signed his name from Mandalay is less than 35 erator were set up and they filled the room with a brilliant miles from the city. white glare. hastily on five copies. The SS major followed him. It took The amphibious operation near them two minutes to surrender for their commanders. the southern coast of Burma was It was obviously a military leader's office. On one wall coordinated with an attack by there was a huge map of the Po Valley. On another a General Morgan sat down at the other end of the table battleships, eruisers and destroyers and signed, as the Allied officers standing behind him of the British East Indies Fleet on detailed map showed the city of Vienna and its vicinity, Car Nicob?>r Island, in the Indian with pins marking the course of the battle that raged for looked on. It took him a minute. At 2:15 the job was done. Ocean. the Austrian capital from April 4 when the Russians en­ General Morgan stood un and said. "I give you three tered until April 13 when it was finally and entirely lib­ copies, one of which is in German. I am retaining the Duce Buried erated. On a third wall there was a map of the Mediter­ others for the Supreme Allied Commander and the Allied MILAN. May 2 (AP)—Mussolini Governments." was buried late yesterday in paup­ ranean and the lands that enclose it. er's cemetery after an autopsy A desk was over to the right near a small alcove. Two He handed the three copies to Col. E J. Bastion Jr., showed that the Duee was not suf­ (U. S.) secretary to Field Marshal Alexander. Colonel Bas- fering from ulcers, cancer or any armchairs were pushed against a far wall. A long, polished other ailments reported in recent conference table stood catty-cornered near the center of (Continued on page 3) years. Thursday, May 3, 1945 THE STARS AND STRIPES Page 3

er Only JOi

By A Staff Correspondent AFHQ, May 2 — The favorite phrase and motto of Col. Gen. Hein­ rich von Vietinghoff, the German commander who surrendered in Italy after only a little more than a month in charge was, "I lead from in front." Facts revealed here for the first time about his career showed that he is 58 and was brought up and educated in Prussian military circles. During World War I, he was a regimental staff officer. From 1921 to 1938, he served as an infantry officer in various units in addition to a tour of duty at the War Min­ istry in Berlin. In November, 1938, he took com­ mand of the new 5th Panzer Divi­ sion in the Wehrmacht that Hitler was building rapidly for his dreams of conquest. In 1940, Von Vieting­ hoff commanded the XIII Panzer Corps in the west and received the Knight's Cross. He also became a General of Panzertruppe. In the Balkan campaign, Von Vietinghoff led the XLVI Corps which captured Sarajevo. Then he moved to the central front in Russia where he fought in 1941 and 1942. In 1943 he became head of the 15th Army in France, and in Oc­ tober of that year took over the 10th Army in Italy, when he was made a colonel general. In October, 1944, he took over as commander in chief in place of Field Marshal Albert C. Kesselring, who, it is believed, was injured at that time. When Kesselring re­ turned to action in December, Von Vietinghoff resumed his 10th Army command. In mid-March, when Kesselring was shifted to the west front com­ mand, Von Vietinghoff took over. The German southwest command included only Italy, but recently the section of Austria surrendered by Von Vietinghoff and SS General Wolff was switched to this com­ mand. Before the Po Valley offensive by the 5th and 8th Armies began, the German 10th and 14th Armies and the Ligurian Army of Fascist Ital­ ians, which was also under effective German direction, consisted of 22 divisions, according to an Allied in­ telligence officer here. These divisions were at a strength of about J. 2,000 each and among the best in the Wehrmacht. The Ger­ mans had here one panzer division, two panzer grenadier divisions, two parachute divisions, one mountain division and the rest were infantry. The commander of the 10th Army was General Herr, of the 14th Gen­ eral Tippelskirch and of the Ligur­ ian Army Italian Marshal Rodolio Graziani.

-A4JUKM0S German Evacuation /50Af//«r Of Norway Double

LONDON, May 2 — While there Signing Was Dramatic Scene were some reports from Sweden today that an agreement has been reached on German evacuation of Norway in talks between the Ger­ (Continued from page 2) Brig. Gen. W. C. McMahon, assistant chief of staff, man minister in Copenhagen and 15th Army Group, representing General Clark. Swedish representatives, Allied mili­ tlon, who had wielded the blotter during the signing while tary quarters were treating these Lt. Col. J. G. Sweetman, British officer, had handed the Rear Admiral H. A. Packer (British), chief of staff for reports with reserve, Reuter's said. the commander m chief, Mediterranean, Admiral Sir An­ Latest reports from Norway in­ documents to the signatories, turned the copies over to dicate that the German com­ the Germans. Colonel Bastion put his fountain pen back drew Cunningham. mander in chief, as well as Josef into his pocket; his pen had been used, instead of those Rear Admiral S. S. Lewis (U. S.), chief of staff, U. S. Terboven, Reich Commissioner for Norway, have taken measures to on the table. Naval Forces, Mediterranean. carry out Admiral Karl Doenitz* One of the correspondents whispered later, "Damn Air Vice Marshal G. V. H. Baker, chief of staff, RAF, order to resist. The German garrison in Norway that fountain pen. I was going to try to take one of the Mediterranean. has been estimated at about 300,000 other pens, if they had been used." Maj. Gen. C. C. Chauncey (U. S.), chief of staff, troops, together with a few hundred Luftwaffe fighters and some U- His colleague replied, "So was I." MAAF. boats. This force generally was When the Germans had their copies, which seemed Maj. Gen. T. S. Airey (British), asst. chief of staff, regarded as the principal obstacle G2, AFHQ. which might stand in the way of to include half a dozen sheets each, General Morgan said, an early end to the war in Europe. "Thank you, gentlemen. I now ask you to withdraw." Maj. Gen. Daniel Noce (U. S.), asst. chief of staff, G3, Meanwhile, a Reuter's Stockholm AFHQ. correspondent said that German The Germans withdrew at 2:17 PM. It was believed naval forces in Denmark had be­ that they were returning to their chiefs that afternoon. Bng. Gen. A. J. McChrystal (U. S.), chief of informa­ gun to surrender, and that German General Morgan came over to the correspondents and tion, News and Censorship Section, AFHQ. marines had dismounted the guns of their ships. This was not con­ answered several questions briefly. About the terms, he Lt. Gen. Sir Brian H. Robertson, chief administrative firmed by any source other than said they "are, in effect, complete and unconditional sur­ officer, AFHQ. "telephone contact with Copen­ render." He described the areas commanded by the sur­ Maj. Gen. A. P. Kislenko, Soviet representative to the hagen." rendering generals and guessed at the number of men in Allied Commission in Italy. their control. Lt. M. Vraevsky, on General Kislenko's staff. Gen. Eaker Visits CHUNGKING, May 1 (AP)— Lt. Speaking of the territory ceded, he said, "This puts us Lt. Col. W. M. Cunningham (British), military assist­ Gen. Ira C. Eaker recently visited practically in BerchtesgadenC" ant to Field Marshal Alexander. 14th Air Force headquarters and conferred with Maj. Gen. Claire Among the Allied officers witnessing the signing of The other press and radio men were Herbert G. King, Chennault, it was announced to­ the surrender documents were: UP, and Winston Burdett, CBS, Americans; Hubert D. day. Plans for transfer of a part Harrison, Reuter's, Patrick Smith, BBC, and Bill Taylor, of the American air strength in Maj. Gen. L. L. Lemnitzer (IT. S.), deputy chief of Europe to the Far East are believed, staff, AFHQ. Union Jack, British, to have been discussed. Poge 4 THE STARS AND STRIPES Thursday, May 3, 1945 THE STARS AND STRIPES (Mediterranean) UP FRONT By Mauldin Newspaper of the V. S. Armed Forces published daily for troops in Italy lander the auspices of the Information and Education Section, MTOUSA. Office: 152 Via del Trltone In II Messaggero building, Rome. Telephones: JBo/ogna 'IT ' Publications Officer, 478536; Executive Officer, 478110: Editorial, 478295: Weefcly and Sports, 478996; Circulation, 478640; Night Phone, 478295. Acknowledgment is made of the editorial services supplied by the United | May Admit Nations News Service and the Army News Service. The Start, and Stripes is printed at the plant of D. Messaggero, 152 Via 6el Tritone. Rome. Gl Scholars j r m iiin«iii.««iii*i«iiiiii iii.iii«wi«iii»JV"wit!»ni!it«aiiBffliiii iw»i»- BOLOGNA, May 2 — Troops of the 91st Division were the first to come in contact with higher edu­ cation in northern Italy. The "Powder River" boys last fall cap­ tured the University of Bolcgna observatory and a few other of its OLD MEN AGE GROUPS buildings, near Loiano. The 91st Dear Editor: Dear Editor: used one as division command post In all its preparations for "after A recent article published in The long enough for everyone to be en­ the war," the Army is overlooking Stars and Stripes stated that no titled to some sort of degree. its "minority" — the men in our consideration is given to age under When the 91st and other troops armed forces of the older age group. the existing U. S. Armed Forces de­ passed through last Sunday, they The majority of these men had mobilization plan. were not concerned with advanced to sacrifice a well established busi­ The British demobilization plan learning. But perhaps in a few ness or a good position when only considers two factors; (1) age; weeks some might be interested. drafted. Upon their return to ci­ (2) time in the service. Professor Fd^ice Battaglia, tempo­ vilian life, the task of starting a Certainly age is an important rary rector <* the University of Bo­ business in face of well organized factor and should be given consi­ logna, said ne was confident that competition is not going to be an deration in our plan, especially American soldiers with proper easy one. The positions they left since men over certain ages are no qualifications would have no diffi­ will be handled by others, who have longer being drafted. Many men in culty in enrolling at the university acquired a good knowledge of their the service of the older age group for postwar studies. work, while the returning veteran have served three to four years and The University of Bologna, lost contact with all phases of his still there are no provisions made founded in 1088, is the oldest in former job while serving his coun­ to benefit them, even though the Europe and one of the most famous try. Army is no longer taking men in in the wcrld. Its list of distinguished The Government guarantees the their age group. alumni is long—Dante and Pet­ return of the job to the veteran, Why not include age in the point rarch in letters, Irnerio in law, Gal- and I'm sure that most employers systems on the following basis of vani and Copernico in science, Dr. will be patriotic enough to give one point for each year past the William Harvey in medicine and their jobs back to the "old men." 13-year-old mark or on some equit­ Rossini in music—and scores of But no man with any sort of pride able basis where it will benefit all others in almost every field of hu­ and ability will accept a job offered men in the service who have a man endeavor. him, feeling as though he is not combination of points, the total of wanted. Consequently, many will which will allow them to be dis­ seek other employment, where they charged from the service. Check Faculty . feel they are needed most. If it is the Army's or Navy's de­ The university is now closed while 'I'm headin' fer th' la-a-a-st round-up!" The "old men" can not wail sire to hold certain essential key Allie'd officials investigate past ac­ themselves of the different college men, let them pick these men as tivities of some of the institution's courses offered by the Government, they have officers and not penalize faculty members and other person­ their school days are over, and the the entire group. nel. The Fascist rector, Goffredo group that will have no jobs to go Should age be included in the Coppola, fled before the Allies en­ cm back to, will face the competition point system, there would not be a tered the city. The enrollment has in a labor market of young aggres­ wholesale release of men in a cer­ dropped from anproximately 12,000 sive men, with many new ideas and tain age group, but only those men in 1943 to 3,000 this year. His Army To IV Corps technical knowledge acquired in the would qualify, who have a combina­ It is much too early to say how Army. tion of time in the service, depend­ all the faculty members conducted Men of the older age group are ent children, time overseas and themselves under the Fascists and By Sgt. STAN SWINTON not wanted by the Army, and at combat awards. Nazis. Jewish professors, of course, Staff Correspondent the present time not drafted —Sgt. Richard Wainscott, QM were dismissed. It may take some WITH THE 5TH ARMY NEAR cent. What most interested him in the service. When the Army de­ time to determine how many teach­ LAKE COMO, April 29 (Delayed)— was a chart of German forces in mobilizes part of its own forces, why ers were active Fascists—how many not give a chance to those who CLUMSY SATIRE Monocled Maj. Gen. Max Joseph Italy which was hung on the tent gave only passive support and how Pemsel, Chief of Staff and Deputy served for three year or over to go Dear Editor: many opposed Fascism. One pro­ wall. out and establish themselves before Having read your feature "The fessor said active Fascists on the Commander of the Ligurian Army, "My army isn't even listed," he they are forced in the "apple seller" Barber Comes Back to Leghorn" in faculty nutftbered only four. Some unconditionally surrendered his en­ complained in German. Someone tlass by the competition of millions The Stars and Stripes, I am won­ of the teachers are known to have tire five-division force to Maj. Gen. explained the 1st Armored had of younger men who are bound to dering if, in the official publication fought the Fascists. Willis D. Crittenberger of the IV never run into them. He shrugged flood the labor market just as soon of our armed forces in Italy, such Corps at 1114 hours today. his shoulders. as the war is over? Dr. Alexandro Novaro of the med­ clumsy satire is not somewhat out ical school, returned two days after The capitulation took place in Pemsel sat about the tent for —T-4 I. J. Rechter, QM of place and unnecessary. Perhaps the following bits of advice would the liberation. He had been held General Crittenberger's van, which more than an hour awaiting trans­ not be wholly inappropriate:—First, for months. by the Germans, and was parked beside a school building portation to IV Corps headquar­ TRAFFIC CONTROL that it would be wise not to criti­ tortured many times. Through his in a picturesque village east of here. ters. Although he didn't know it, cize a performance unless the critic bravery, half of the university's Efforts are now being made to the delay was caused by a retreat­ Dear Editor: supply of radium was saved from communicate news of the surren­ Being TO men, we have often stays until its end. Second, that ing German column which had cut "ham" acting is synonymous with the Nazis. Other professors are still der to General Pemsel's scattered wondered why we are not allowed in German hands. When the full forces. the only road back and seized the to wear the TC patch. opera the world over and not merely division's Piper Cub field. Finally a in Leghorn; and that a set routine story of the work of the anti-Fascist It was Lt. Col. James Simmer- We have noticed several men man of the 1st Armored Division's convoy of two medium tanks, two coming over from the States wear­ of slap-stick is traditional in all professors is known, it may prove productions of the "Barber," every­ one of the finest chapters in the Combat Command AAA who paved light tanks, an armored car and a ing our patch, which is a red shield the way for the mass surrender. peep was arranged. Pemsel saluted, with a yellow boat-wheel in the where—Third, that despite the or­ university's history. chestra, the Angeli production was The Virginia tank commander had wheeled and walked out with Capt. center. been told by another captured We are not ashamed to wear the in the end a very creditable one Like L. S. U. Walter Freudenberg of Boulder, with the Rosina, at least, a really German general that two enemy Colo., a divisional interrogator. PBS patch, but with all the won­ Judging from a catalogue circu­ garrisons in the Lake Como sector derful work being done by the TC first-rate artist. Fourth, last, and The Nazi general was red-eyed not only the "authoritative music lated in 1938, the position of the would surrender if contacted. He Corps, we think that is the least went out hunting them yesterday. from lack of sleep. When he finally they can do for us. critic" but to us all, that charity University of Bologna was not un­ arrived at Corps, the conference is the first obligation of real auth­ like that of Louisiana State Uni­ with General Crittenberger began Why was the Patch designed if versity during the Huey Long PARTISANS REPORT men serving under TC, especially ority, and humor its most gracious at 0840 hours. At 1105 Pemsel said: complement. regime. Just as Huey gave L. S. U. In the village of Lecco, Partisans "I am ready to surrender the Army those serving overseas, can't we^r new buildings and money, so the stopped Simmerman, said they had it? —Pfc. James E. Clark, TC -<3pl. Willian G. Hope, AF of Liguria." Nine minutes later the Duce made improvements and the Ligurian Army headquarters unconditional surrender was signed added chairs to this university. The surrounded and that Marshal Ro- amidst the flashing of Army Pic­ 64-page catalogue has only one pic­ dolfo Graziano, commander in torial Service photo bulbs. ture and four or five references chief of the Fascist Republican that plug the Fascist rule. Army, who nominally commanded STORY COMES OUT Puptent Poets Here is an example: the Ligurian Army, was a prisoner. Later the story of what happened "The enormous number of stu­ The Patriots added that General within General Crittenberger's van. dents, amongst whom the . . Fas­ Pemsel was in a mood to give up. came out. Pemsel admitted he had COLD ALL MINE cist group develops a most active Twenty-four hours earlier the no contact with his forces—two propaganda and political education, Partisans had established a' truce divisions. He said he had no idea of Two slept on a cold paving. Today, I met a vast strange world, with the German general. Army Wrapped in each other something new! in cooperation with the academic their present location or fighting authorities, needed an adequate headquarters itself was ringed with power. As blankets are wrapped about I rode today where birds and angels barbed wire. Inside, German sen­ soar well meeting place to fulfill those duties General Crittenberger crisply re­ Legs and thighs—hips and breast which Fascism has imposed. The old tries stood on guard while only a plied that he was in contact With Where man invaded heaven's high. few feet away Patriots walked post. For comfort. This prodigious blue, and well founded desire of the stu­ the Germans, even if the general Their legs ere entwined dents has now been fulfilled in the The remainder of the village, wasn't. He described the situation The limbo where transient souls named Mandelo, was in Partisan And one held the other, of Airmen dwell. very best way, thanks to the of each, and said only immediate Spoon curled. Regime . . ." 'hands and the Patriots had tele­ surrender would save the army In protection. Now. giant motored birds find a Like some universities in large phone communication with the from destruction. They were bent and twisted in a way cities back home, the University of Tedeschi. At 1042 hours, General Critten­ dark little corner. Among the tractless, emptiness of Bologna is scattered throughout the The Partisan commander tele­ berger withdrew while Pemsel and Forgot and neglected by all but the space, town, with no campus. The only phoned General Pemsel, told him his chief of staff conferred. The sur­ win.'. Through the cloud-banked silver building damaged by air raids Colonel Simmerman was there, render followed. The announcement The wind found them—and froze white of day housed the library and the famous and arranged for a German officer was transmitted to Lt. Gen. Lucian therr. And darkness of the night's star- anatomical theater. The treasured to come out and serve as escort. K. Truscott, 5th Army Commander, Their eyes were open and held no lace. Lelli statues, which show the GENERAL ARRIVES and broadcast to all Ligurian Army exor'^ion. Long deep furrowed rays of morning muscles but no skin, were damaged Colonel Simmerman was taken troops Not even a cold expression. sun but can be repaired, an AMG officer to the German headquarters and The currender of an entire army They w«re dead! Strike patterns vertical across our said. informed Pemsel his army's posi­ was a proud victory for the IV crimson plane. Some of the young Fascist stu­ tion was hopeless. Pemsel admitted Corps, which has been in combat We, wh^ saw them. As a cosmic photograph well done. dents, it is said, shunned the prac­ he was without communication to for 320 days without rest and has Shivered in our warm Cv. 3 It made impressions in my memory tice of apple-polishing. Instead they his troops or to his army group, liberated 600 Italian cities. And removed our heav glo\~~ live agam, would enter the professor's office and offered to accompany the 1st Probably it is a day General Pem­ To r^ch for handkerchiefs Imnressions of a dynasty violent with a gun and tell him to pass Armored Division officer back to sel won't forget either. His first In our errief. blue. them. division headquarters. surrender and his first spam sand­ We felt the cold paving through With the cold radiance of infinity What would you do? I was in the G-2 section at mid­ wich both came within 24 hours— Our sturdy shoes anrf stockings. shining through. —Sgt. TOM McRAE night when the general and his and that's enough for any man. We foit q nameless shame —S-Sgt. Allen Merrill, AC aid, a Major Kneip, drove up in And ess* our eyes to their dead, their sedan with Colonel Simmer­ bare feet. Merit Plaques man. General Pemsel, a brick- Say That Again —Sgt. Shirley Colker, WAC MIDNIGHT SNACK MAAF HEADQUARTERS, May complexioned blond who wears a I know a place where "doughnuts WASHINGTON, May 2 (ANS)—- 2 —The 12th and 13th Weather magnificent soft black leather Local Draft Board members and and" are kept. Squadrons of the Army Air Forces greatcoat, was in good spirits. He BAEDEKER It's uot too long a walk, as you have received the Meritorious laughed at a joke by his aide. other uncompensated Selective If I had the money, will see; Service Unit Plaque. Since the When I offered him a spam sand­ Service personnel would be eligible The world to see. A sort of all-night restaurant, ex­ North African landings, these wich, which Sgt. Norbert Kiefer for a certificate and medal for You can bet your life. cept weather squadrons have served in of Eagle Rock. Calif., had just faithful and patriotic service un-; No Italy for me. The choice is limited, and it is Tunisia, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and made, he accepted, saying, "Thank der a bill approved today by the —Pfc. John W. Mills, AF free —Cpl. R. W. Lovett, Medics southern France. you," without the trace of an ac­ House Military Affairs Committee, Thursday, May 3, 1945 THE STARS AND STRIPES Pegs 5

The collapse of German resist­ •.-.•.»•.>;.:.: %••>;.»> man troops away from the west­ ance brought cheerful, much- ern front, and they maintained a needed relief today to the war- constant threat until the last on rugged, battle-tried veterans of the Nazis' Alpine "redoubt" which the 5th Army. the Nazis promised to use for last- ditch fighting. The Italian cam­ The day for which they had been paign also opened up the Mediter­ fighting their way for so long up ranean and gave the Allies bases the Italian Boot from Salerno had from which U. S. and British come at last. planes could attack German sup­ For 19 hard and bitter months, ply bases, communications and 5th Army men had been driving industries in the Balkans and the Jerries out of the Italian Ap­ central Europe. ennines and from the narrow, In addition, the 5th Army was sometimes picturesque Italian val­ instrumental in liberating nearly leys. 40,000,000 Italians who passed from Together with men of the Brit­ the terror of Fascism to the ter­ ish 8th Army, they had cleared ror of Nazism after the Italian ar­ more than 100,000 square miles of mistice of Sept. 1943. Krauts. Through mountain snow The 5th, of course, did not do and summer's heat, they had the entire job. MAAF planes and pushed the Germans northward the Allied navies and the armies yard by yard, mile by mile for of many Allied nations (British nearly 600 miles. 8th, French, Polish, Brazilian and Surrender of the Germans other troops) played equally im­ brings to a close the 5th's Italian portant roles in the Italian cam­ campaign — the longest and per­ paign. But this story is the story haps the hardest-fought campaign of the 5th. of the European war. Now nearly two and a half years It was in North Africa—on Jan. The invasion of the mainland of Europe began here on the sandy beaches of the Gulf of old, the 5th Army's records carry 5, 1943—that the 5th Army came Salerno on Sept. 9, 1943. This is the way it must have looked to the Krauts who were waiting probably more individual heroes into being—the first U. S. Army on Mt. Soprano, a mountain feature which dominated the landing area. The first seven days than any other U. S. Army in the of this war to be organized outside was hell for the men who worked the beaches. The Krauts had a Luftwaffe then. Shipping war. Its records are chock-full of the Continental United States. and the beaches were raided more than 56 times in one week. heroes who wore the 34th Divi­ Its first task was protection of sion's red bull, the 36th Division's the huge area of North Africa be Texas T, or the 45th Division's hind the Tunisian battle-front— through deep, gooey mud, wade 5th Army entered Rome amid the tive" offensive. Other divisions thunderbird. the lines of supply and commu­ swift mountain streams in face of cheers of a jubilant people. The also started limited offensives, and HISTORY BRIGHT nications and the vital supply and perfectly patterned enemy fire. units liberating Rome included the on Feb. 20, the 10th Mountain Di­ personnel bases. It also had the It was winter as they crossed 85th and 88th Divisions and the vision—one of the main partici­ Units of the 5th also have writ­ job of training troops for future the Volturno, as they battled 1st Armored Division. pants , in the winter's warfare— ten outstanding battle records—• operations. captured Mt. Belvedere, a stra­ records like that of the 1st Ar­ through dozens of towns like Is- Rome became the first Nazi-held mored Division (which in April TRAINED IN AFRICA ernia and Venafro to reach Cas­ capital of Europe—and the first tegic peak overlooking the Po Val­ ley. moved 30 miles in a single day to sino, the gateway to Rome. capital of a former Axis nation— capture an airfield at Bergamo), At its head was placed General Just before Cassino, they had to to be liberated. During March, things were rel­ Mark W. Clark—then a lieutenant cross the rain-swollen R a p i d o and those of the 3rd, 31th, 36th, general—who as deputy com Men of the 5th Army did not atively quiet as preparations for a 45th, 85th, 88th, 91st and 92nd River. It was the most deadly river tarry in Rome. Through the Holy big spring push got under way. On Divisions, the 82nd Airborne Di­ mander-in-chief to General Dwight the 5th Army ever crossed. As the City, they chased the fleeing Ger­ April 16, it began. Preceded by D. Eisenhower had integrated plans troops tried to bridge the stream, vision, the 473rd AAA, and the for the 1942 invasion of North man army. For the next 20 days, preliminary attacks and advances Special Service Forces and Ranger the Jerries opened up from the the 5th moved northward better by the British 8th Army, the 5th units. Africa. mountains from which they had than ten miles a day. By July 18, shifted into high gear almost im­ From January into the summer perfect observation. . it was 150 miles north of Rome— mediately. On April 20, it cut the The 92nd Division of U. S. Ne­ of 1S43, 5th Army training centers groes, which went into action last Then Cassino—and the Yanks in Leghorn, Italy's third largest Bologna-Milan highway, partially year, began killing Jerries ten popped up all over North Africa, bumped into the Nazi winter Gus- port. By the first week of August, encircling Bologna. On April 21, one of them being an invasion it was at the outskirts of Pisa. Bologna fell. minutes after reaching the line. training center. Nearly all of the tav Line. Here the 5th Army Also playing a big part in 5th U. S. troops taking part in the troops found the Germans had Here the Jerries, using Pisa's Things began rolling again as Army history is the 442nd Regi­ Sicilian invasion and campaign re even fortified the ancient St. Leaning Tower as an OP, battled they had the preceding spring. mental Combat Team made up of ceived training in one or more of Benedict's monastery atop Monte to delay the 5th's advance. On Two days after veterans of the Americans of Japanese descent these 5th Army centers. Cassino, a mile above the town. Sept. 2, however, Pisa fell. Soon 34th Division and the Polish Corps who fought from Salerno to the Then came the Anzio beachhead. thereafter the 5th crossed the entered Bologna, the Yanks Arno. The 5th Army's biggest and most Arno and bumped into Kessel- important job—the liberation of In hope of leap-frogging around reached the Po River, crossed it Special mention should also be the winter line which ran through ring's Gothic Line. Last November quickly on April 24 and proceeded made of the 1st Ranger Battalion Italy from the Germans—began at Cassino, the U. S. 3rd, 34th and the 5th was about ninerajjUes south to capture Ferrara, La Spezia and Salerno on Sept. 9, 1943, the day of Bologna. which at Anzio fought heroically, after Italy surrendered. 45th Divisions with part of the 1st Mo&ena. On April 26, Verona—the although trapped, rather than At 3 AM (Italian time), under Armored Division and several Brit­ Soon after the 5th broke setting for Shakespeare's "Romeo surrender. cover of heavy U. S. and British ish units landed on Jan. 22, 1944, through the Gothic Line, winter and Juliet"—fell. The next day In support of the 5th and 8th naval bombardments, invasion at Anzio, 20 miles south of Rome. and mud began to slow up the other 5th Army units entered Armies, the Allied navies cleared trained 5th Army troops assaulted The landing was a surprise and a drive. The first cracks came in Genoa, the home of Columbus, mines from Mediterranean waters, the Salerno beaches for the first beachhead eight miles deep and the Gothic Line on Sept. 18 when which had previously been lib­ opened the entire' Mediterranean. U. S. landing in force on the main ten miles wide was established be­ units of the 5th took Mt. Altuzza, erated by Partisans. A few days The Air Force provided direct land of Europe since the 1918 ar fore the Germans caught on. Mt. Prato and Montecelli. A later, the 5th reached Milan. tactical support of the land offen­ few days later, a battalion of the On April 30, General Clark an­ sives, struck at enemv communi­ mistice. FALSE HOPE That landing was probably the 91st Division (aided by flanking nounced that practically all or­ cations and bases, carried food and toughest amphibious operation of The Allies hoped the Germans movements of elements of the 85th ganized German resistance in Italy munitions to Partisans behind the the European war. The Jerries would withdraw some of their di­ and 34th Divisions) took Futa had been shattered and only mop­ German lines, and provided aerial then were strong—and they were visions from the Cassino front to Pass, and the 5th Army stormed ping up of scattered pockets re­ intelligence. ready. When 5th Army troops hit meet the Anzio threat—but in­ Mt. Battaglia, II Poggio, Mt. Canda mained. Today Italy is liberated. What the beaches from the invasion stead Field Marshal Albert Kessel­ and Mt. Bastione. Then the Jer­ The 5th Army had completed its Germans remain—including their fleet that covered 1,000 square ring shifted only a few troops from ries began counterattacking and job which was: to chase the Ger­ generals—are in PW cages. miles of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the the Cassino front and brought in the drive that had started the mans out of Italy. The Battle of Italy—the battle Jerries let loose. seven fresh divisions from south preceding May slowed to a halt. While clearing Italy of Krauts, which the 5th Army has been Within 24 hours, 5th Army troops of Rome. Several factors figured in the the 5th and 8th Armies played an fighting since Salerno—has been repulsed a half-dozen Nazi For the next weeks, blood again slow-up last fall. For one thing, important part in keeping Ger­ won. —Cpl. WALTER PLJLLIAM counterattacks and for a week the marked the Italian campaign. the 5th had been on the move for battle of Salerno raged furiously— Kesselring threw a total of 11 di­ more than six months — and a sample of the many bloody, visions against the bridgehead and sooner or later armies have to rest rugged battles that lay ahead in his biggest guns, including the and restore supplies. The Germans Italy. Veterans of Salerno will tell "Anzio Express." then were relatively strong, hav­ you the Germans battled there The tenacious beachhead de­ ing 28 divisions on the Italian with everything they had—and fense put up by the 3rd Division front which was far more than the they had plenty in those days. rivaled the division's stand on the Allies had. The 5th Army, as it ALMOST LOST Marne during World War I. Other moved up the Boot, lost many of Now it can be revealed that for divisions also held firm. And in­ its original divisions. The 3rd, 36th eight days the battle of Salerno stead of pushing the beachhead into the sea, Kesselring lost thou­ and 45th Divisions and the French hung in the balance, and at times troops were shifted to SHAEF it seemed certain the Jerries would sands of men in dead and wounded. after the invasion of southern push the invading Yanks back into France. the sea. Meanwhile, battle raged in a deadlock around Cassino. The 36th WEATHER AGAIN Too, the weather was deterior­ The Jerries threw their best Division suffered heavily in re­ peated efforts to take the town. ating—and big mountains stood tanks into the battle. They threw between the October lines and the heavy mortar and peppered the At one time another U. S. division beachhead with artillery fire. They could have taken the town, if it Po Valley where Allied armor also bombed and strafed—for then had had but a few hundred fresh could be used effectively. The 5th the Jerries had planes. They threw troops. But entrenched in under­ then was but nine miles from into the battle such crack outfits ground tunnels and behind piles Bologna—but they were nine miles as the 11th Panzers (which fought of rubble, the Germans held firm. of Apennines—and on every peak, at Stalingrad) and the 15th, 16th Finally Allied planes smashed the the Jerries had carefully prepared and 29th Panzers. Nazi-fortified abbey atop Monte defenses. So narrow was our hold that Cassino and artillery and planes On Nov. 26 came a shift in com­ Army, Corps and Division head­ together leveled the tiny moun­ mands, Field Marshal Sir Harold quarters were under a single roof. tainside town. R. L. G. Alexander, 15th Army 31ood of the 5th Army covered On the night of May 11, 1944, Group commander, became Su­ the Salerno sand and bodies of the 5th Army and the British 8th preme Allied commander, and Lt. both Yanks and Krauts piled high. Army together started a spring of­ Gen. Clark of the 5th Army (soon But the beachhead held. fensive to break through Cassino to become a four-star general) be­ Slowly, yard by yard, the 5th be­ and get to Rome. came new 15th Army Group chief. gan to move toward Naples, 35 The British 8th had been moved Lt. Gen. Lucian K. Truscott Jr., miles northward. It reached Naples from the Adriatic sector to the commander of the 3rd Division Oct. 1, 21 days after the initial Cassino front and the 5th was during Anzio beachhead days, more Salerno landings. moved to the west coastal sector recently VI Corps commander and They were 21 days of hell—of along the Garigliano. On May 18, one of the leading U. S. generals continuous battle against a pow­ New Zealanders and Poles of the of the war, took over the 5th erful enemy. 8th Army crashed through Cas­ Army. The road from Naples to Rome sino and the 5th began to move During December, along a win­ was even harder. It took the 5th all along its sector to reach and ter-bound front, limited battles four disheartening, perilous pass the Pontine Marshes. French see-sawed in the Serchio Valley. months to make that 45 miles up forces, between the 5th Army and During the winter months, more the Via Casilina to Cassino, and the British, also began to move. Allied troops were to be pulled then it stopped until May 18, 1944. On May 23, the Anzio beachhead from Italy. The British sent sev­ After Naples everything seemed burst out in three directions and eral divisions to Greece during the to conspire against the hard- two days later contact was made civil war there. In February the fighting Yanks—weather, rivers, between the beachhead and the Canadian I Corps began moving mountains. Day after day, 5th main 5th Army coming northward. to the west front in Holland and This was Italy. Soldiers who fought the campaign here will i Army troops looked up at well From then on, there was no stop­ Germany. ping of the 5th until it reached never forget the bitter, winter cold and deep mud. Neither ] entrenched Krauts and day by day Early in February some ad­ will they ever forget Cassino. This photo was taken in the j the Yank troops had to climb the the mountains protecting the Po vances were made in the Serchio crags and sharp cliffs'to'extermin­ Valley, some 200 miles to the north. Valley area, and on Feb. 8 the 92nd Cassino sector and was typical of the conditions endured by I ate them. They had to slosh At dusk on June 4, units of the Division opened a "limited objec men of the 5th Army during the winter of 1943-44. ] Page 6 THE STARS AND STRIPES Thursday, May 3, 1945 omb Load Exceeds Half-Million Tons Linkup With Tito Completes Noose During MAAFs 19-Month Stay In Italy Around Germany

With the collapse of all German HITTING BEHIND THE LINES By Sgt. JACK FOISIE forces in Italy, flying and ground x/vK^wrsw-'. • Staff Correspondent personnel of the Mediterranean ALONG THE NORTH ADRI­ Allied Air Forces can look back on ATIC COASTLINE, May 2 —The some of the most brilliant perform­ encirclement of Germany is com­ ances in the history of aerial war­ plete. fare— the complete defeat of the Luftwaffe in this theater, the dry- The Italian front was joined ing-up of German oil sources and with the East front yesterday at reserves, and the crippling of vital the town of Monfalcone, 17 miles communications and industrial fa­ northwest of Trieste at 2 PM yes­ cilities, all accomplished while also terday, when the 8th Army's spear­ giving close support to Allied ar­ heading New Zealanders met troops mies in their drives up the Italian of Marshal Tito's Yugoslavian boot. Army. The historic junction came after Since Sept. 9, 1943, when assault tank-riding Kiwis had raced 70 troops hit the Italian mainland, miles in 27 hours along the Adriatic 594,476 tons of bombs have been coastal highway against only unleashed against tactical and stra­ sparce German resistance, accord­ tegic objectives, 919,294 sorties have ing to New Zealand official cor­ been flown by the MAAF, 5,423 en- respondents. emv aircraft have been destroyed It was more of a triumphal pro­ in the air and more than 3,000 were cession as Italian villagers lined the destroyed on the ground. In the 20 roads to cheer and shower with months since the start of the cam­ flowers the two Allies as they came paign 7,637 of our planes have been together for the hearty handshakes, lost. exchange of souvenirs and then the MAAF is an organization of curious glances of appraisal. more than a quarter of a million The New Zealand commander, Lt. officers and men, representing some Gen. Sir B. C. Freyberg, who was ten nationalities, although predom­ with advance elements of his inant Iv American and British. troops, conferred on the spot with Thirty types of aircraft were em­ Yugoslavian field officers over de­ ployed to carry the war to the en­ tails of effective liaison between the emy. The four principal tasks of two Allied forces in their continued the air forces were: drive to round up German rem­ 1. Strategic job of bringing max­ nants still in the areas north of imum pressure on German industry. the Adriatic. But jovial congratu­ 2. Tactical assignment of sup­ Like rungs on a ladder, heavy bombs fall from the bomb bay of a 15th Air Force B-17 Flying lations took precedence over mili­ porting the ground forces. Fortress during a raid on German industrial targets. (MAAF Photo) tary matters. 3. To help keep the sea lanes of communications free and protect SYBOLIC MEETING our shipping, harbors and rear es­ In the early part of last year, heavy The New Zealand 22nd Infantry tablishments from enemy air as­ air assaults were made on the en­ Battalion, with tanks of the 20th sault. emy-held monastery at Cassino. 'Freedom? Germans Patrol New Zealand Armored Regiment 4. To supply the greatest poss­ The most recent phase of air- and armored cars of an English reg­ ible aid to Partisan forces in the ground cooperation has been the iment, participated in the symbo­ Balkans, France, northern Italy and softening up blows delivered by the Munich Before 7th Comes lic meeting—symbolic politically as Poland. air forces for the final attack by the well as militarily. BOMB REFINERIES 15th Army Group in the battle for The Kiwis had actually pushed Italy. Known as "Operation Plas­ through Monfalcone, and were The battle of oil, one of the prin­ ter," enemy defenses south of the By Sgt. PETER FURST momentarily expecting to join up cipal commitments of the strategic Po River were saturated with high Staff Correspondent when they ran into a pocket of air forces heavy bombers, reached explosives, by heavy bombers in German resistance. It was soon a high point with the start of at­ preparation for the 8th Army's MUNICH, April 30 (Delayed)—Armed German motorcyclists cleaned out. This proved to be an tacks on the 11 refineries in the push. Meantime, medium and with the red armbands of the anti-Nazi Bavarian Freedom Action outpost for a German coastal de­ Ploesti, Rumania, area together fighter-bombers rained bombs be­ Committee, patrolled the crowd-filled streets of the capital of the fense station, all that now stood with a few smaller installations in Hitler-srsovement this afternoon, hours before the first 7th Army between the Tito's men and the Rumania. fore the 5th Army's drive. On April 16. General Carl Spaatz, Americans entered the city limits. New Zealanders. During the entire period of at­ The German commander came tack on heavily defended Ploesti, commander of the U. S. Strategic Five Freedom Committee motorcycles, mounting machine Air Forces in Europe, had signalled toward the New Zealanders to dis­ the average production rate was guns, roared into the town from the west at noon, and others cuss surrender terms. The terms, reduced by 60 percent. The exports the victorious end of the long range were said to be operating in the north and south. White flags air war and had directed the heav­ of course, were unconditional sur­ of gasoline to the German armed fluttered from thousands of win-+ render. forces were cut to one-third their ies to devote their time to close support of the ground offensive. dows all along the street from "Very well, we will fight on," said previous level, a loss representing the German commander. about 15 percent of the enemy's suburban Pasing into the center gasoline supply. SUPPLIES AIRBORNE of Munich, and here and there Munich's Defenders Three rounds from a tank—and The successful Partisan offensives red flags or the old blue-white the presence of the Yugoslav Army After the Ploesti campaign, which to the east—convinced the Germans lasted from April 1 to August, 1944, in both the Balkans and northern Bavarian banner made their ap­ Italy were supplied to a large ex­ Showed Little Fight that they could do nothing further MAAF struck at almost every crude pearance when the people rea­ to prevent the junction. Four hun­ and synthetic oil refinery in the tent by planes of MAAF. Arms, ammunition, food, clothing and lized that the SS had definitely MUNICH, Anril 30 (Delayed) — dred men surrendered with their German-occupied territory of Hun­ gone. tanks and antiaircraft guns. gary, Austria. Czechoslovakia, Yu­ medical supplies were carried al­ Contrary to all expectations, we most daily to the forces of Marshal With Marguerite Higgins, 23- did not hear a single shot fired Throughout the advance the New goslavia and plants i:. southeastern Zealanders saw evidences of a wel­ Germanv itself. Tito and to the Italian Patriots. year-old New York Herald-Trib­ by the would-be defenders of MAAF assumed a major role in une war correspondent, who yes- Munich, internal disintegration come heavily tinged with political MAAF's atts ck on oil centers was significance. Slogans praising the mirrored in the German military the airborne invasion of southern terdav was offered surrender by appeared complete. France last August when thousands an SS officer of the notorious Allied commanders and just about machine, which commenced to move There wasn't much evidence of everyone else were everywhere, but with increasing effort because it of parachute and glider troops were Dachau concentration camp, I the four SS Divisions—two Ger­ placed on and beyond the Riviera was taken into Munich's center the name of Tito was more numer­ lacked the vital lubrication. The man, one Hungarian and one Rus­ ous than anyone else's. And the war on oil. combined with the coun­ beaches. Air protection for this vast today by a civilian with a red arm­ sian—which were supposed to be airborne operation also was pro­ clenched Communistic salute pre­ ter air program designed to reduce band, who said he was a member concentrated In the area, although dominated. the enemv air strength bv striking vided by planes from Mediterranean of the Freedom Committee which one 30th Infantry company of the at aircraft production plants and bases. had revolted against the SS two 3rd Division captured a compara­ IN GULF OF TRIESTE bv knocking the Germans out of In addition to the startegic, tac­ days ago. tively large number of Totenkopf Monfalcone, now assured a note the air, resulted in greatly reduced tical and troop carrying phases of STRANGE SIGHT Waffen SS just before they in history books, is situated on the fighter opposition and sharply cut MAAF's assignment it has played a reached the city limits. The SS Gulf of Trieste, and has a popula­ the enemy's power to attack from large role in convoy defense and The scenes in the streets of this surrendered without fuss, and tion of more than 12,000. It was the air our ground installations and anti-submarine war in the Medi­ great Bavarian city, which was to didn't seem depressed at their taken by the Italians in the last troop concentrations. terranean. An air-sea rescue service have become the focal point of fate. war in June, 1915, and has since also has operated effectively during Nazi resistance, were fantastic be­ doubled its area. OIL ELIMINATED the Italian campaign. Hundreds of yond description. Armed German The junction, marked by a heavy On March 24. 1945, Maj. Gen. Na­ ground force casualties have been soldiers were walking calmly to­ started early Saturday morning rain, came 23 days after the open­ than F. Twining, 15th AAF com­ ferried from forward airbases to ward our jeep and surrendering was "put down," but actually most ing of the 8th Army offensive in mander, stated: "At this moment hospitals in rear echelons. rifles, pistols and hand grenades of the members of the Bayrisches which General Freyberg's forces no gasoline is being produced at For an organization that has without the slightest attempt at Freiheits Actions Committee Goen have played a key role, being cred­ any of the known German refiner­ flown to targets in Italy, France, resistance. The first Germans en­ ited with the first crossing of the countered* were two heavily armed Faschismus (Bavarian Freedom ies within the operational area of Germany, Austria. Yugoslavia, Committee Against Fascism) ap­ Po and. unofficially, the first en­ the 15th AAF." Greece, Hungary. Bulgaria, Ru­ Luftwaffe non-commissioned of­ trance into Venice. In their fight­ While strategic DomPers were mania, Czechoslovakia and Poland, ficers who looked more than mildly pear to have gone underground— ing they have virtually annihilated ranging deep into enemy territory, thousands of supporting ground •nimrised, and who inouired po­ at least until the Americans have three German divisions—the 98th, planes of MATAF were dealing personnel are necessarv. Bases have litely who we were. When told taken all of the city. Some of the 278th and the rugged 1st Para- heavv blows at bridges, roads and been maintained by MAAF as far "Americans," they said in unison: them, like the armed motorcyclists troop Division. rail lines upon which the German? away as Russia for the shuttle "What, already?" and our escort, resumed their ac­ were depending for supplies and bombing program and for the Big By the time we reached the Zoll- tivities around noon today. Three conference in the Crimea.

Li y 2—Adolf Hitler met no hero's death, a statement issued at SHAEF and au- thorized Dwight D, Eisenhower indicated today, Associated Press reported. The facts pointed a brain hemorrhage or other illness, if the German radio's dramatic an- nouncemetf ehrer's passing could be given credence, SHAEF's report revealed. The s Confirmed the previously reported meeting of Count Folke Bernadotte and Heinrich Hirnmler, saving that they met April 24 at Lubeck. At the meeting, Himmler told the count that Germany was finished and that "Hitler was so ill he might as well be dead," the state­ ment disclosed. Himmler was reported to have said at the time—more than a week before Hitler's announced hero's death—that the Fuehrer-*' could not be expected to live more than two days longer. The German general, Schillen- Von Rundstedt Prisoner berger, who was present said that Hitler was suffering from a brain hemorrhage. The SHAEF statement concluded: 'Of 7th Army At Munich "Admiral Doenitz' statement, there­ fore, that Hitler met a hero's death «- is in contradiction with the facts SHAEF, May 2—Field Marshal Karl von Rundstedt, Germany's given by Himmler and Schillen- top-rank general and until last March commander in chief of berger." German armies in western Europe, has been captured by i£e U. S. Warning after warning, urging 7th Army in its sweep south of Munich. the world to beware of some new Nasi trick concealed beneath last A SHAEF communique today said Von Rundstedt was taken night's dramatic announcement of in a hospital at Badtolz, a town on the Isar River 25 miles south the death of Adolf Hitler, swept the of the Nazi shrine city of Munich near the Austrian border. He is Allied nations today. the highest ranking active Ger­ The German broadcast may be "a $sm man army officer to be taken mere interlude in surrender negoti­ prisoner thus far in the west. ations designed to wring some last A Prussian of the notorious mili­ concession from the western tary class, Von Rundstedt in 1940 powers," Robert Lloyd, Reuter's directed the German sweep through correspondent here, commented. Belgium and Luxembourg and the Lord Vansittart, formerly chief breakthrough at Sedan which re­ diplomatic adviser to the British sulted in the collapse of France. Government, voiced doubts and He also generated the German said the broadcast may be the be­ invasion of Russia in June, 1941, ginning of a buildup for a "Hitler although reports at the time said he legend." Moscow radio warned that advised Hitler against the move and ay be a subterfuge to enable believed it a military mistake. :r to disappear, to show up la- Von Rundstedt set up Germany's part of a Nazi "under- western defenses to prevent the Allied invasion from England. When Minister Winston Churchill he failed after the invasion of Nor­ bers of the British cabinet mandy, Hitler retired him. But last Two years ago almost to the day, Adolf Hitler is shown here into the early hours this fall he was recalled and placed in congratulating the up and coming Oberbefehlshaber der following the announce- charge of forces defending the U-Bootwaffe for the successful accomplishments of the Nazi 6f Hitler's death. Service Rhineland. It was he who directed wolf-packs. Six months later, Karl Doenitz was promoted to have also been in consulta- the "bulge" breakthrough on the Grand Admiral of the German naval forces. Today, by his # U. S. 1st Army last December. own declaration over the Nazi radio, Hitler is dead and Doenitz Last night's announcement from In March, Hitler again removed is the new Fuehrer of the battered Reich. enemy sources had related that him from the western command Hitler died a "hero's death" at his giving Field Marshal Albert Kessel- command post in Berlin, and said ring his post. The whereabouts of that Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz, Von Rundstedt thereafter became Commander in Chief of the Ger­ obscure. man Navy, had not only succeeded Von Rundstedt was capttffe^ as Lt on Ribhentrop Throtvn Out Hitler—at the Fuehrer's wish—but Gen. Alexander Patch's 7th Army would continue the war "against swept toward the Austrian border, Bolshevism." FIELD MARSHAL* RUNDSTEDT which it later crossed for a ten- As Reich's Foreign Minister Some of the situations emerging mite penetration. Reuter's reported more clearly today from the con­ the 7th's 10th Armored Division had fused background to the broadcast of reaction here to the announce­ entered St. Rochus, almost halfway LONDON, May 2—Joachim von Ribhentrop has been thrown included the following: ment that Hitler had died. across the strip of Austria north of out as Reich Foreign Minister by Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz —That Heinrich Himmler has Sen. Edwin C. Johnson (D., Italy's Alpine frontier. Other col­ in his first move since taking over the German state from the not, in fact, made a second offer Colo.), said, "I would like to have umns of the 7th were approaching dead Hitler, the German radio revealed today, as reported in of unconditional surrender, so a look at his body before I believe Innsbruck, northern gateway to the United Press. far as latest reports from Stock­ it," and Sen. John H. Overton Brenner Pass. holm would indicate; it had been (D., La.), said: "I want absolute To the east, U. S. 3rd Army troops According to a Hamburg radio broadcast, Doenitz replaced stated earlier that Himmler would proof." also drove toward key Austrian cit­ Ribhentrop with Count Schwerin von Krosick, who had been make a second offer, this time Rep. Vito Marcantonio (ALP, ies. The 3rd's tanks were 18 miles Minister of Finance. Von Krosick is a former Rhodes scholar to Russia as well as to the other N. Y.), said: "The announcement, west of the Austrian city of Linz, at 6xford and speaks perfect* • Allies. coming from the Germans, doesn't while other 3rd Army columns English, suggesting that Doe —That Himmler's first offer convince me that it's true. It may moved within 30 miles of Salzburg, nitz may have been trying to put was tied up with a plan to sur­ be just another bit of propaganda. the Austrian border city guarding in Ribbentrop's job a man cap­ render some 200,000 Nazi sol­ I'll believe it when it is confirmed approaches to Berchtesgaden, Hit­ Russians Advancing ler's resort capital. able of negotiating with the Al­ diers now in Norway to Sweden, by our side." lies. thus side-stepping all the Allies, Sen. Robert A. Taft (R., Ohio), Along the Elbe River, upstream and to surrender Nazi-held Den­ said it was "significant and in­ Ribbentrop's fate was not re­ In Northern Sector mark directly to King Christian teresting that Hitter's death, if the from Hamburg, the British 2nd vealed. Nothing has been heard of of that nation. report is true, should come with Army began to push out of its him for some time. He may have —That the Wehrmacht com­ the complete collapse of his phil­ bridgehead and sent columns to fled to some part of Germany MOSCOW, May 2 (Reuter's)—As munique three days ago said all osophy. Incidentally, it will save within 20 miles of the German Bal­ where he could no longer maintain remnants of the German garrison German troops fighting U. S. the Allies a lot of worry about tic port of Luebeck. The drive contact with the rest of the gov­ were today being systematically forces on the western front were dealing with the captured Fuehrer." threatened to isolate Denmark. ernment. cleared out of the center of Berlin, "turning their backs" on the Marshal Zhukov was beginning to Yanks and concentrating on the 3wing his right flank in step with Red Army. Marshal Rokossovsky's headlong —That substantial numbers of advances through the lakelands to­ German soldiers now holding a ward another linkup in the north half-dozen French ports on the Conference To Discuss Trusteeships with the western front Allies. Atlantic coast are involved in the The big German crack-up in the deal somewhere. northern sector was spreading Other ouestions arose. The last SAN FRANCISCO, May 2—With amendments to the proposed world According to a New York Herald- hourly, as Rokossovsky's three- clearly official statement from Hit­ the four main commissions and 12 security organization as outlined in Tribune correspondent, State De­ oronged drive on Rostock had ler as to his successor was on Sept. newly-appointed committees of the partment officials have not seen eye reached within 30 miles of that Bal­ 1, 1939; when he said Hermann World Security Conference here the Dumbarton Oaks agreement. tic Sea port. Goering would come after him and, scheduled to start work today, dis­ The Arab nations' delegations to eye with those Senators, Rep­ The Soviet offensive in Czechoslo­ after Goering, Rudolf Hess, Deputy cussions are heading toward the have drawn up a statement declar­ resentatives and high Naval of­ vakia, well under way with the cap­ Fuehrer. Yet the radio announce­ trusteeship problem, Army News ing that the covenant of the re­ ficials who have advocated that the ture of Brno in the south and Mo- ment declared that Hitler named Service reported. cently organized League of Arab U. S. try to get permanent posses­ ravska-Ostrava in the north, is fold­ Admiral Doenitz. The trusteeship problem concerns States is in "perfect accordance" sion of islands and perhaps other ing up Germany's salient with a Immediately after what pur­ the disposition to be made of co­ with those provisions of the Dum­ areas seized in the course of the speed that suggests imminent col­ ported to be the voice of Doenitz lonial areas previously seized by barton Oaks agreement covering re­ war. But Reuter's reported that lapse over the whole area back to had declared that "Hitler died a Axis powers and later seized by an gional blocs of nations. the State, War and Navy Depart­ Prague, Czech capital. hero's death," the ghost voice which Allied power. The trusteeship problem will be ments are understood to have agreed The Red Army has massed an sometimes interrupts enemy broad­ The principal Russian represen­ discussed by the Big Five delegates on a single plan to be presented. enormous air fleet to batter the way casts was heard to shout: "It's a tative, Vyacheslav M. Molotov, has —from the U. S., Britain, Russia, along the road toward Prague. lie!" made engagements for the next China and France—on Thursday, The U. S. plan, OWI said, will The battle for Berlin itself, now The London Daily Mail editorially day or so, according to Reuter's, but after preliminary discussions that ask that territories be divided into going on well behind the main So­ stressed the threat of continued is expected to leave the conference took place Monday, according to two categories: "strategic" areas, viet front line, has developed into German resistance, and took a gen­ soon. United Press said it had OWL such as Guam and other islands; a gigantic mopping-up operation. erally gloomy view of the shift to learned that Anthony Eden, Brit­ One of the U. S. delegates, Cmdr. and "economic dependencies," such Enemy units are laying down their Doenitz. The Yorkshire Post, a ish Foreicn Secretary, although un­ Harold E. Stassen, former Republi­ as certain British-controlled areas. arms in increasing numbers, and newspaper that frequently reflects der "similar pressure to get back to can governor of Minnesota, has al- Over those in the former class, the sometimes lining whole streets with the views of British Foreign Sec­ London, will stay in San Francisco ready outlined the position that trustee power would have far- white flags of surrender. retary Anthony Eden, also stressed at least two more weeks, probably U. S. delegates will take, it was said reaching powers, it was said. Already Col. Gen. Berzarin, So­ through the duration of the con­ Back of the trusteeship question The British are understood to viet commandant in Berlin, is get­ the likelihood of continued Nazi ference." was said to lie the Atlantic Charter ting some sort of normal life re- resistance, adding, according to Reuter's correspondent said Mr. declaration, that the U. S. and Brit­ want a number of dependent terri­ °stablished in the occupied areas Reuter's, that "the Allies would Molotov had informed Mr. Eden and ain "seek no aggrandizement, ter­ tories put under trusteeship of re­ of the city. Twenty hospitals have naturally prefer to see the war Edward R. Stettinius Jr., U. S. Sec­ ritorial or otherwise," that they "de­ gional commissions, Reuter's re­ been opened for German wounded. ended without a fi

Lt. Gen. W. D. Morgan, AFHQ chief of staff, signs the unconditional surrender The representative of SS General Karl Wolff, signs the documents of uncondi­ documents on behalf of Field Marshal Sir Harold Alexander, Supreme Allied tional surrender in the office of the AFHQ chief of staff at Caserta. The rep­ Commander in the Mediterranean, with high Allied officers looking on, among resentative of Col. Gen. Heinrich von Vietinghoff (in civilian clothes stands them Soviet representatives. against the walL Alexander . . AFHQ, May 2—Here is the special Order of the Day is­ sued by Field Marshal Sir H. R. Alexander, Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater, to the soldiers, sailors and airmen of all Allied forces in the theater: "After nearly two years of hard and continuous fighting which started in Sicily in the summer of 1943, you stand to­ day as the victors of the Ital­ ian campaign. "You have won a victory which has ended in the com­ plete and utter rout of the German armed forces in the Mediterranean. By clearing Italy of the last Nazi aggres­ sor, you have liberated a coun­ try of over 40,000,000 people. "Today the remnants of a once proud Army have laid down their arms to you—close oh a million men with all their arms, equipment and impedi­ menta. "You may well be proud of this great and victorious cam­ paign which wrill long live in history as one of the greatest and most successful ever waged. "No praise is high enough for you sailors, soldiers, air- FIELD MARSHAL ALEXANDER men and workers of the ted Forces in Italy for your magnificent triumph. Uni- "My gratitude to you and my admiration is unbounded and only equaled by the pride which is mine in being your At this table at Allied Force Headquarters in Caserta, two German officers (in civilian clothes comander in chief." at left) signed the unconditional surrender of German armies in Italy and in part of Aus­ tria. Lt. Gen. W. D. Morgan, AFHQ chief of staff, stands at the other end of the table, hands behind back. The German officials signed on behalf of Col. Gen. Heinrich von Vietinghoff, McNarney • . . Wehrmacht commander, and SS General K arl Wolff, SS commander. (AFPU Photos) AFHQ, May 2—The victory is yours, General Joseph T. Ic- have supplied us have overcome diers who have fallen in battle in Narney, Deputy Supreme Allied commander in the Meditc- unbelievable obstacles and have order that this victory might be ranean, said in a message tonight to all Allied forces in Itay. Clark kept us constantly armed, equips achieved. The entire world will for­ His message said: WITH THE 15TH ARMY GROUP ped and fed. The magnificent sup­ ever honor their memory. "The enemy in Italy has surrendered unconditionally. IN ITALY, May 2—Mark W. Clark, port which we have always had from "The war is not over. The Ger­ "Your magnificent victories in the spring offensive left him Commanding General of the 15th the Allied air and naval forces in man military machine has been only two alternatives: to surrender, or to die. Army Group, today issued the fol­ lowing Order of the Day to the completely crushed by the splendid "This hour is the glorious climax of one of the greatest soldiers of the Group which includes campaigns waged by you and your triumphs in the long, hard-fought war in Africa and in the 5th and 8th Armies: colleagues of the western and Rus­ Europe. Your part will live al­ sian fronts. There remains the all ways in the hearts and mind of "With a full and grateful heart important task of inflicting a simi­ our peoples. I hail and congratulate you in this lar complete defeat on our remain­ "The attack against the en­ hour of complete victory over the ing enemy—Japan. Each one of us emy's so-called 'inner fortress' German enemy and join with you in the 15th Army Group must con­ began in the Mediterranean.* in thanks to Almighty God. tinue without pause to give the full You have come from Alamein "Yours has been a long, hard measure of effort to that task and from Casablanca to the fight—the longest in the war of wherever we may be called upon Alps. After the successes in any Allied troops fighting on the continent of Europe. You men of to serve. : North Africa, you smashed the the 5th and 8th Armies have "I am intensely proud of you enemy in Tunisia. You drove brought that fight to a successful all and of the honor which I him from Sicily. You invaded conclusion by your recent brilliant have had of commanding such in­ Italy, and, despite ferocious re­ vincible troops. My thanks go to offensive operations which shat­ each of you for your capable, ag­ sistance and incredibly diffi­ tered the German forces opposing gressive and loyal service which has cult terrain and weather, you you. Their surrender was the in­ produced this great victory. drove him back, always back. evitable course left to them, they "Men of the 15th Army Group, You have destroyed the best had nothing more to fight with in I know you will face the task ahead troops he possessed. At this Italy. with the same magnificent, gener­ moment of surrender he is "You have demonstrated some­ ous and indomitable spirit you have against the Alpj, helpless un­ thing new and remarkable in the shown in this long campaign. For­ der your blows J:o defend him­ annals of organized warfare. You ward to final victory. God bless self. have shown that a huge fighting you all." "The victory is yours — you force composed of units from many of the ground, sea and air countries with diverse languages forces of many nationalities and customs, inspired, as you have 'Ernie PySe Dav* always been, with a devotion to GENERAL CLARK NEW YORK, May 2 (ANS)—The who have fought here as a the cause of freedom, can become Motion Picture Industry War Ac­ single combat team. The sur­ an effective and harmonious fight­ this theater has written a new page tivities Committee announced yes­ render t.ndav is to you. GENERAL McNARNEY ing team in the history of cooperative com­ terday that June 6 will be "Ernie "Now with final and overall victory in sight, let us go "This teamwork which has carried bat action. Pyle Day" in Wisconsin theaters, forward until the last foe, Japan, is crushed. Then, and not us to victory has included in full "Our exultation in this moment with free admission for everyone until then, will freedom-loving men and women be able to enjoy measure the supporting arms which is blended with sorrow as we pay who buys a bond during the Seventh lasting peace." havp worked with us throughout War Loan Drive. the campaign. The services that tribute to the heroic Allied sol­