22 Dec 1944
Page 1
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Newspaper
Alaska Petersburg Press
Location
Petersburg, Alaska, United States of America
Date
Dec 22, 1944
Page
1
Community sends good wishes for Mina Olsen who was injured in a fall last Sunday evening. Her dedication to duty kept Petersburg Hospital operating during nurse shortages, and neighbors hope for her speedy recovery and return to ministering to the sick.
A CBS correspondent reports on the First Army front that German forces overrun Belgan villages, killing civilians as part of a late desperate counter-offensive. The broadcast notes there is no aim of conquest, only revenge and pain.
A Christmas Festival Service will be held at 11 o clock Christmas morning at the Lutheran church. Evelyn Welde at the organ will play an organ prelude of Christmas carols. Ayne Lund will provide a vocal solo with the choir directed by Esther Horton singing the anthem Today There Is Ringing. The pastor will speak on Gods Offertory. A Watch Night service is planned for Sunday evening to close the year.
RAF heavy bombers attacked freight yards at Cologne and Ponn on the Rhine in twin night blows. Earlier Lancasters conducted a daylight raid on a German railway town. Bad weather forced daylight raiders to use night bombing instruments amid heavy fog and an estimated 1800 tons dropped.
Allied forces press the eastern Italian line as American troops south of Bologna engage German units in Tossignan with heavy barricades and patrols, while British and Indian troops push south of the Senio River. Northeast of Faenza, British Eighth gains limited against a nine mile German salient between Faenza and Bagnacavallo.
Brigadier General Frank T. Hines announced that returning veterans are already receiving GI Bill loans for homes and farms and will soon receive financial aid to establish small businesses. Regulations for small business loans will be issued Thursday by the Veterans Administration.
Moscow reports Malinovsky second Ukraine army advanced to within 14 miles of Losoncs and captured 30 localities including Rimaszombat on the Kassa Losonoe route. The fall opens a gateway to the Matra mountains aiding Slovak patriots. Tolbukhin’s third Ukraine army builds strength near the Danube between Budapest and Lake Balaton.
London reports the British press warns of possible intensified German air raids as new damage and casualties occur Tuesday night.
In Kodiak the fortieth victory freighter was launched amid cold rain. Mrs. Knudsen and her daughter Joann shivered as ceremonies were hurried. Glenn Robinson, former manpower commissioner and Kodiak official, spoke to shipyard workers about Alaskan resources.
A USO troupe entertained Petersburg soldiers and sailors at the Elks club rooms last Monday evening. Coast Guard boat ferried the performers, who drew a large crowd of locally stationed personnel. The program featured Marjorie Edwards violinist, George Butler vocal, Don Renato guitarist, Ralph Harke accordionist, Gene Clayton master of ceremonies and magician.
AP dispatches report the main German drive into Belgium slowed and repulsed, while a new counter attack 20 miles south of Luxembourg City was beaten back. Eisenhower urges swift Allied action as Von Rundstedt's forces show reduced momentum on a 32 mile front amid fierce tank battles and isolated penetrations.
London dispatch reports a Greek political crisis threatening allied unity as Britain weighs asking American and Russian help. In Commons discussions, a motion urged inviting King George of Greece to stay in Britain until Greeks decide his fate, while Labour and Lords signals suggest inter allied action may be needed to resolve the monarchy issue.
Retiring delegate Anthony Dimond traveled from Juneau to Anchorage for a pending departure as his term winds down. The brief note confirms his move amid ongoing Alaska politics with few additional details.
Representatives from Alaska Washington Oregon and California gathered for the annual meeting of the Association of Pacific Fisheries. Maurice Rattray and M W Waller of the war food administration said a portion of the 1945 salmon pack has been requisitioned, not specifying if it will exceed or fall short of 70 percent of 1944. Lawrence Calvert of Seattle was reelected president and Frank Lloyd of Ketchikan joined the board.
General MacArthur reports the 77th Division moved four miles north of Valencia and has captured the town. The First Cavalry advanced three miles south of Lznoy. Mindoro invasion continues with no ground resistance reported for the fifth day. Admiral Nimitz said Liberator bombers struck an island south of Tokyo dropping 100 tons. MacArthur HQ says Japanese defenders on southwestern Leyte face a hopeless situation as their line cracks.
General Douglas MacArthur announced the new airfield on Mindoro Southwest coast as a key objective in the Leyte invasion. American fighter planes repelled 29 Japanese raiders. 11 were shot down by Lightnings and Thunderbolts, with one American plane lost. American Cavalry and 77th Infantry linked up along the Ormoc road as Japanese forces claw at escape routes toward Palompon. Japanese dead climbed to 45,128 since the Leyte invasion began in October.
Twenty first Bomber Command reports a large force of B-29 Superfortresses bombed Nagoya for the third time in ten days. The Hatsudoki Mitsubishi Aircraft Works factory suffered extensive damage to over 67 000 square feet of roofing since December 13. Brigadier General Hansell Jr described the targets as major U S aircraft centers akin to Patterson New Jersey and Hartford works.
The Alaska Steamship Company received 100000 dollars in full settlement of all claims after the steam ship Bering, a wooden cargo vessel requisitioned by the War Shipping Administration, was lost after striking a reef. Built in 1918 and formerly Arthur J. Baldwin, the ship was valued at the time of loss.
The Sons of Norway announce a Christmas party on Thursday evening December 28 at the Sons of Norway hall. Activities start at 4 o clock with carol singing around the tree, followed by program and lunch served upstairs after the program.
Athens reports British tanks and rocket planes shelling ELAS concentrations north of the city after an ultimatum expired. Sherman tanks moved up Likabettus hill as FLAS forces faced 75mm fire near the prison and the military academy. No clear effect of Gen. Scobie’s warning or progress toward a truce was available.
Allied headquarters announced Canadian troops broke through strong resistance and seized Bagnacavallo on the road toward Bologna. The town lies eight miles north and slightly east of Bologna, as the advance toward the Senio River continues.
In Paris on December 22, General Eisenhower described the German offensive as their last great gamble. He urged Allied armies to destroy the enemy as he warned that the Führer would risk a breakout from fixed defenses. Eisenhower expressed confidence that the enemy would fail and that Allied forces would advance to a great victory with God's help.
A Louisiana member of the touring military affairs committee argued that if Allied supplies had held, troops might have reached Berlin in the first thrust into Germany. He blamed munition shortages for giving Germany a respite to rebuild and counterattack.
The Viking juniors opened strong with a 36 20 victory over Wrangell Institute Golden Eagles. Swan son led scoring with 12 points while Valle added six for Wrangell. The early 15 5 first quarter margin set the pace as the Vikings controlled rebounds and executed fast break plays.
The Army will suspend draft induction on December 24 25 and December 31 January 1 with no pre induction physicals no inductions of selective service registrants and no transfers of inductees to stations as War Department announces on Thursday.
Petersburg lodge of Masons will hold their regular meeting this evening in the Sons of Norway hall. Opening time changed to 7 o clock to conduct the election as the principal order of business. Members urged to notice the time change.
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