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Newspaper
Cairns Post
Location
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Date
Feb 10, 1944
Page
5
Fragmentary text references Curtin Britain Japan and Australia in a wartime mood. It mentions pledges, victory hopes, naval battles, and casualties, with scattered names and places, indicating a chaotic war reporting snapshot.
The Moscow radio reports a turning point in the Nikopol attack with Russian forces crossing the Dnieper amid stormy seas and rain. Germans abandon tanks, munitions, and bridges as Red Army pressure tightens, leaving Nikopol and surrounding bridgeheads exposed.
Hobart reports continuous effort to improve munitions supplies despite warnings of complacency. Waterworth, manager of a Punition annexe, returning from a tour in Australia and America, warned Germany could gain a vital weapon if research lags. Britain reportedly skeptical. only military defeat could end German threats.
In Sydney on February 9 tram and bus employees adjourned their plan for a one day strike. A ballot will be held February 16 to decide if concessions granted by Judge Drake Brockman are acceptable. The vote follows threats of a stoppage over demands for one day off every two weeks of annual holiday.
The Express reports the British government will extend the call-up of women for domestic service in Britain. Many women will be directed to domestic roles with a preference for non industrial work, reflecting wartime labor priorities and mobilization policies.
In Canberra February 9 the delivery of nearly one million copies of the new telephone directory edition will start. The edition aims to last twelve months, with changes in type and setup reducing paper use and saving costs. The project, overseen by Australian authorities, includes provisions for age and physique requirements for assisting carriers and notes arrival in London and Dominion ties.
A London rumour cites Norwegian patriots declaring an underground embargo on civilian guard duty to hinder German anti-sabotage patrols on railways and docks. The report claims thousands enrolled, surface ships loaded shells, and carrier planes involved, with claims of casualties and heavy weapon secrecy surrounding a pending operation.
Reports from Kwajalein quote Admiral Nimitz and Lieut General Richardson on Kwajalein seizure shortening communications in the Pacific. Nimitz notes Japanese weakness and design of multi direction blows toward Japan with MacArthur likely to coordinate strikes. Tokio radio calls American moves swift and decisive as the Channel battle and Marshalls campaign press toward broader war aims.
A wartime dispatch notes six days of bombardment by American warships planes and field guns against Kwajalein Atoll. Despite pounding, defenders face formidable resistance on the six tiny islands.
London reports a major daylight air offensive across the Channel. Allied fleets blitzed Frankfurt with Fortresses and long-range escorts, then struck Pas de Calais with Liberators Marauders and RAF bombers. Mighty formations screened cross Channel bombers as 200 mariners joined the raid.
A Hong Kong Chinese dispatch cites records claiming 20 million Chinese face starvation due to wartime disruption. The report notes many areas have become wasteland as irrigation and infrastructure falter under Japanese actions. In Europe, German forces countered at Pas de Calais while Luftwaffe activity over fortresses intensified, with air combat leaving several bombers and fighters missing and many enemy aircraft destroyed.
Berlin radio quoted strident calls from two German ministers urging all reserves be mobilized for forthcoming battles. Ministers cited favourable armament rates despite enemy raids, with Labour Minister noting rising output and sustained ore and armament production across mines and foundries. Farmers expected to increase supply.
UAP in Canberra backs Lester Foll's call for the Opposition to withdraw its three delegates from the War Advisory Council and pursue a strictly independent policy. The decision was postponed until J Curtin returns from the Empire Premiers meeting in London amid concerns the Labour administration may shift toward partisanship and reduce direct war involvement.
Colonel Aster in a presidential address cites anxiety over rapid overseas war news. He notes the Empire faces growing attention to instant reports, referencing events across the Atlantic and military developments as linked to imperial messaging.
Sir John Anderson announced two new agreements of financial and mutual aid between Britain and the French Committee of National Liberation. He said negotiations were smooth and the aim was swift war support and unified action in the Empire. The speech stressed cable and wireless needs to speed London news to Australia and New Zealand and urged dominions to receive timely updates on war efforts.
London reports the loss of Nikopol as more than a battlefield setback. It is described as an economic disaster for Germany due to manganese reliance. Germany drew 50 to 80 percent of wartime manganese from Nikopol, essential for steel and armor, with prewar stocks exhausted and substitutes unavailable. Shortages could force lower shell steel quality or reduced production until other deposits compensate. The capture’s effects are expected to ripple through German war capability soon.
In a House of Commons exchange and a Navy communique, German blockade runners bound for European ports are noted as carrying cargos from the Far East. The report cites U S submarines Cisco and other vessels operating in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters, with references to wolfram and other strategic materials.
An American raid on Paramushiro tightens Japan’s fleet into home waters, reshaping the war’s strategic picture. The Jammuahir raid proved not decisive, but the new disruption forces Tokyo to avoid shifting resources southward while fearing a potential American strike.
Australian Associated Press reports Britain shipped the gold hoard in 126 ton barrels loaded onto 40 lorries and conveyed to the station. The passage discusses Japan's defense perimeter from Wewak to the Kuriles and the growing naval imbalance in favor of the United States, with plans tied to potential landings at Paramushiro and strikes along the Guam Bonin line. Washington believes Japan will not risk its fleet before a close attack on enemy centers.
Admiral Halsey discusses strategy for defeating Japan, noting the need to push ground and air forces into China to cut access to Manchuria and supplies. He argues the Pacific war hinges on striking across land routes and the limitations of fighting from the sea alone.
The Federal Government is set to announce nine Commonwealth Rent Controllers in the coming days. Officials pledge to curb exorbitant charges by property owners and ensure affordable housing, aiming to clean up the rental market.
New York report notes President Roosevelt spent much of the session parrying questions about a possible fourth term. The Washington correspondent says strong rumors and listening audiences left many convinced he would run again. The exchange resembled prior occasions that made the incident notable.
Reuters dispatch from the Anzio front says a German assault along the beachhead was repelled after shallow penetrations. Allies defend the perimeters south of Rome as Marshal Kesselring renews pressure with strong land forces. Allied airfield activity increases as Luftwaffe attackers are frustrated. Fifth Army gains another foothold near Cassino while Rome radio reports German withdrawals.
Allied and German forces remain active around the Anzio area as British and American troops consolidate west of Cisterna and north of Paglione in anticipation of a counter offensive. German air strikes at Anzio intensify with at least 120 planes, while Allied fighters and ground operations continue along the Cassino line and toward Monastery Hill.
General Montgomery travelled by a nine carriage streamlined train on a wide tour of Britain visiting troops under his command. The Royal priority train carried no civilian markings and maintained day and night communication with headquarters via dispatch riders. Monty wore dress in a beret as he met staff officers and assemblies of troops, with word spreading quickly that Monty's here.
In Canberra this February the Minister for Health and Social Services secured leave to introduce a bill to provide for pharmaceutical benefits and unemployment and sickness benefits, and to amend the Maternity Benefits Act. The government estimates an average payment to chemists under the free medicine plan of 2/2 per prescription, with amounts varying by ingredient value within a standard list of 380 prescriptions.
Canberra reports the agriculture minister says season output of dried egg powder reached 5,000,000 pounds, about 17 percent of total egg production, equating to 15,000,000 dozen eggs. The figure, stated by Mr W J Scully, marks a significant rise from the previous season.
An Allied communique from Italy notes medium bombers hit railway yards and storage near Viterbo and Lagoorn with fighter bombs targeting rear areas. Twenty four enemy planes and two gliders destroyed. German resistance at the beachhead remains strong with no major extension reported. Cassino battles rage with 35000 troops engaged as German reinforcements arrive and Neptuno bridgehead is contested. Psychological warfare from the Germans includes English language broadcasts and music to counter Allied forces.
February 9 Canberra report notes UAP members sharply criticized General Blamey for frequent shifts in high level army posts and appointments. It cites removal of 100 senior officers and criticizes government action to move Sirven Mackay from army command to High Commissioner to India.
The United States renewed its warning to Finland to exit the war or face consequences. Secretary Cordell Hull announced the move, describing it as the first U S action on Finland in some time and hinting at Allied diplomatic and potential military pressure. Helsinki held that Finland’s position remains unchanged and would not surrender.
Report from London via Berlin radio notes Germany ready to place all available men on reserve and cancel draft applications. Canberra dispatch mentions reallocation and withdrawal from frontline units as efforts to comb all areas for soldiers proceed.
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