Stars and Stripes Review: April 20, 1943

In this issue of The Stars and Stripes, there's a fair amount of glory to be had at the hands of the Allies. The front page proudly states that the USAAF shot down 51 transport planes and damaged 30 more, to the loss of only nine planes. The article theorizes that these planes were carrying Axis troops out of Tunisia, which at this point in the war was the Afrika Corps' last bastion of defense. After two years of going back and forth across North Africa, the German Afrika Corps, under the command of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, had run out of options. Only a matter of days after the release of this issue, the Axis troops in North Africa would surrender, around 250,000 soldiers taken prisoner.

This issue also has other tales of heroic victory over the Axis. There is a small article detailing a four day naval battle, in which a pack of German U-Boats were continually harassed and attacked by American coastal bombers, possibly claiming five subs destroyed. Also, there is mention of members of the US Eighth Air Force had received more Distinguished Flying Crosses and other medals, putting the total for the unit over 1700 awards.

Another interesting article in this issue may be just a morale booster, but may also be legitimate. There are rumors from refugees and escaped POWs that the Germans are growing nervous, now that North Africa has been taken, Axis troops are under a three front bombing campaign, and Europe is next. Hitler was claimed to have made a grand press tour of his Fortress Europe, the system of guns, mines, and obstacles that line the Atlantic side of Europe. Also in this story is a published German illustration of the best means by which infantry can attack a tank and avoid its line of fire.

In non-war-related news, there is mention of the Dodgers beating the Yankees 4-2, a Canadian infantryman wins the Boston AA Marathon, and the Amertex basketball team beat the US Navy construction team, the Sea Bees, 46-17. Also, interestingly enough, this early in the war, 32 US senators are opposed to the US acting as an international police force in the postwar world.

All of this wrapped up by refreshing cartoons of Li'l Abner and Blondie complete this review of the April 20, 1943 issue of the Stars and Stripes. Until next time, take care, and thanks for reading.