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Newspaper
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Location
Bluefield, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Dec 24, 1944
Page
2
Reports say mass German armor breached lines near St. Vith and Marche while Americans and Allied air forces strike back. Aerial battles over Luxembourg and Belgium hinder German advances as Bradley’s troops attempt counterattacks and relief operations.
American doughboys mauled a German Elite guard division in the Malmedy area, leaving over 1,000 dead in a single square mile and forcing a German pullback. Allied air forces struck the front as weather turned freezing and skies cleared, enabling thousands of planes to roam the sector. The front's complexion shifted on the vital northern flank amid the bitter cold.
Deaths and funerals: J Vernon Johnson retired businessman of Tazewell Va died Friday at home. Funeral 2:30 pm at Tazewell Christian Church with Rev M E N Lindsay and Rev FP Watkins. Burial Maple Wood Cemetery. Ira Clarence Bishop of Spokane Ave Bluefield died at St Luke's Hospital after brief illness. Born 1888 in Washington NC he came to Bluefield in 1914. Survived by wife and four children. Burial arrangements incomplete last night.
The U S forces pounded Leyte Mindoro and Visayan targets while Japanese air activity pressed Mindoro Cebu Panay Negros. 20 Japanese planes were shot down and a small freighter was sunk by U S naval units as bombers hit islands from Mindanao to New Britain.
Santa Claus will visit the Community Christmas tree program at Genoa High School this afternoon at 1.00 led by Mrs Mamie B Pearis. After gifts at the West Virginia party Santa will travel to Bluefield Virginia for further gift distribution with children invited to attend.
American air forces deliver heavy bombing on rail yards near Trier and Mannheim with over 400 heavy bombers. RAF targets in the Rhineland supported by Mustangs and Spitfires disrupt German lines as Luftwaffe battles fiercely. weather delays had hindered air support for three days.
The third anniversary of the Seabees will be observed on December 28 by 24,000 officers and men of United States naval construction battalions. Ten area Seabees are named, and the unit’s record highlights Guadalcanal, amphibious operations, and base construction across the Pacific with most battalions now overseas or on second tours.
The report describes soldiers on leave at a church ceremony marking peace on earth and good will toward men. The scene contrasts their battlefield wear with civilian reverence as a quiet observance unfolds, highlighting the solemnity of the event.
In a bid to tighten manpower controls, Byrnes urged recall of men unfit for service yet fit for sports and urged another physical exam for uninducted men. He asked the War Manpower Commission to enforce employment ceilings and the War Production Board to apply priority powers to deter noncompliance.
The Bluefield chamber of commerce firemen committee led by Ralph Taylor urges citizens to prevent Christmas fires. Tips include water-filled Christmas trees, clear exits, safe lighting, extinguishing lights when unattended, disposing of trees early, avoiding toys with flammable liquids, and using noncombustible snow effects. Take precautions to prevent fires from trees and decorations.
Bluefield Post No. 9 of the American Legion and the Legion auxiliary announce an open house for service and ex service members on Thursday December 28 at the Legion headquarters in the West Virginia hotel. Robert A. Sheffey and Mrs. C. F. P. Davis will oversee arrangements with a informal program planned. Further plans and events will be announced later.
Sergeant Charles B. Crawford of the Ninth Air Force troop carrier group has returned to the United States to visit his parents Mr. and Mrs. L. Crawford of Bishop Virginia. He earned the Presidential citation and three stars in the European theater ribbon for aerial operations in the Normandy invasion Southern France and Holland. After leave he will travel to Florida for three weeks to recuperate and receive further assignment.
Christmas this year is stark across Europe with holiday signs limited to neutral regions. German occupied areas see raids and bans on gifts and cards. In Milan Turin and Genoa workers aid armament, while Budapest and Vienna suffer front-line conditions as millions move west.
City and Coalfield Items announces veterans home loans available at First Federal Land Loan Association and Commerce Bank building with L A Jackson representing Scott Horner and Mason Inc. Also, Bradley's advertises a wave of holiday buys with reduced dresses coats suits and hats and new arrivals to be available Tuesday.
Judge D M Easley was sworn in for an eight year term as circuit court judge for Mercer and Wyoming counties on December 19 1944. Landon T Reynolds administered the oath as bar members and spectators witnessed the ceremony. Easley won the November election by a total majority of 7206 with 4887 in Mercer County and 2319 in Wyoming County.
Pvt Jack S Munsey son of Mr and Mrs John R Munsey 317 Fourth street was wounded in action December 10 with the 88th Division in Italy. He has been awarded the Purple Heart. Four others were with him. they were killed. Munsey trained at Camp Fannin Texas landed in Naples April 9 Easter Sunday. He was missing August 4 last heard from Aug 8 return confirmed Aug 12. Former Daily Telegraph employees.
WPA argues minimal rationing to avert wartime surpluses as some commodities face substitutes while OPA presses for quick reinstatement of rationing where supplies run low. OPA cites pork and point free meat shortages since mid summer and fast-moving canned vegetables as pack year plans loom. Major Samuel Nicholas, first leader of the U S Marines, was born in Philadelphia in 1744.
Four year old Billy Wayne Noell of Roanoke Virginia is dying of lymphatic leukemia with only months to live. His parents Myren and Mrs Noell have arranged a Christmas celebration in his hospital room and expect to share one final holiday together as doctors have given no hope for recovery. The family faces financial strain as Billy’s father works in the railroad yard but has not worked for weeks due to the illness.
Soviet forces reportedly advanced toward Szekesfehervar as German lines admitted pressure near Balaton. German briefings on Friday and Saturday cited large Russian tank and infantry formations and estimated 18 infantry divisions with three mechanized corps active in the Ipoly Lag sector.
Bluefield Commandery No 19 Will hold its Christmas worship program this afternoon at 3 30 at the hall in the Masonic temple Federal street The service features Sacred music by the choir of the First Baptist church directed by Mrs Philip T Lilly with Mrs Marvin Williams as organist Rev Cecil V Cook of First Baptist reads the Christmas lesson Miss Barbara Anne Williams Morgantown WV will read a sacred selection The Second Christmas by John Haynes Holmes All Masons their families and Republic invited to attend
P T Saunders local grocer and Henry Fortune vocalist will appear on a 15 minute Christmas program on WHIS this afternoon at 2 o clock. The County Food Dealers association sponsors the program. Saunders delivers a Christmas message and Fortune with his wife will sing.
Leo Vecillio son of Mr and Mrs E Vecellio of Beckley West Virginia has been promoted from captain to major effective December 1 He served over seas for 31 months with the aviation engineers 10th U S air force in Northern Burma under General Sultan He supervised air field construction and base planning Vecellio a Greenbrier military school graduate and Virginia Tech civil engineer class of 1938 organized Vecellio and Grogan before enlistment Now involved in Welch construction His father B Vecellio is a noted road contractor and Gilbert Construction member.
Ralph Dooley 21 son of Mr and Mrs C G Dooley Shawsville Va R F D 1 was slightly wounded in Germany on December 1 word received by his parents He enlisted January 18 1943 and trained in Texas and Louisiana He sails overseas since January this year as a radio operator in the 113th cavalry He is a brother of Mrs Charles Beck Rogers Street and Leonard Dooley Route 1 both of this city.
Blues mayor William Snyder faced a lighthearted laundry mishap as a bundle missing shorts and a white shirt went astray. He later entrusted six shirts to a Chinese laundry hoping they would return, only to learn the bundle was delivered to another customer.
Jimmy Rantis of Jimmy's Restaurant will provide a free Christmas dinner to any needy person not supported by other organizations. He has carried out similar dinners on Thanksgiving and Christmas for years, serving many unfortunate residents without access to charity.
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