This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 27 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Cairns Post
Location
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Date
Sep 18, 1942
Page
5
Russian defenders face superior German numbers near Stalingrad outskirts as columns of tanks and infantry clash. Luftwaffe and fast transports support the attack while Soviet countermeasures and relief efforts press to hold urban and surrounding lines amid continuous bombardment and air raids.
London dispatch describes heavy fighting near Stalingrad as German forces press from the west and engage Soviet defenses. Russians reportedly counter with infantry, tanks, and air support while Moscow radio notes mixed progress and renewed German attempts to threaten key rail lines.
Canberra reports that Prime Minister Curtin faced questions in the House of Representatives over a statement that only Australians prevented the evacuation of a large Allied force from Singapore. Major General Rankin and Major General Hawking were cited as related figures, with critics pressing the government to accept responsibility for what occurred in Singapore.
Italian forces reported in the area around Venes according to early field notes. Local authorities advised caution as troops moved toward key crossings and supply depots.
Washington reports a decrease in naval bombardment activity around Guadalcanal as Japanese positions retreat and patrols continue. Five bombers and heavy torpedo planes attacked Japanese destroyers south of Choiseul while ships remain at sea amid ongoing operations.
Reports from New York and London describe Allied bomber activity and Soviet resistance. Curin clarifies lack of intent behind a House remark while German and Russian operations unfold near Stalingrad and along the Volga, with incursions and counterattacks shaping the wider war outlook.
In a late night statement from Arora, the number of prisoners of war in all campaigns surpassed 28,000. The minister for the army, Mr Forde, announced figures showing 28,381 in the Middle East, Greece, Crete, Malaya, and territories including New Guinea. He noted 7,007 Australians captured in the Middle East and 2,038 in Malaya, with others in the Far East. Efforts to identify prisoners under Japanese control would continue with international help.
A Navy spokesman says Japan has brought in reinforcements in the Solomons and may clash with U S forces. Reports say Japanese fleets mass near New Caledonia and aim toward Mew Caledonia as American troops bolster defenses. Washington notes a large Japanese naval force in the area.
London reports intense RAF bombardment of German objectives with heavy losses, numerous buildings damaged, and civilian casualties. German defenses claim some success though details on downed aircraft and exact locations remain uncertain. The raid follows a pattern of dawn and dusk sorties, with a large force reportedly striking key industrial and urban centers in the Rhineland and Westphalia.
Brazzaville dispatch notes the Fighting French organization intensifying operations with pilots trained for harsh conditions. Reports reference Bevan, Grease, and Abidie in a mission set against winter rounds and allied forces in a tense regional context.
Major-General Kenney praises Australian and American pilots fighting in the Pacific. He notes Zero fighters lack armor, while Kittyhawks excel in maneuverability. Zeros often fall to Allied air power, and combined air pounding aims to pierce the enemy air umbrella as the war effort continues.
German efforts to seize air superiority over the Western Desert intensify as Keselling leverages 30 fighters in a dawn formation. Spitfires and Kittyhawks blast enemy Messerschmitts, with 12 destroyed and five possibly damaged. Allied bombers strike Tobruk and Gandwa targets, igniting petrol installations. Cairo reports patrol activity with one enemy fighter shot down and five others likely lost.
An Allied press dispatch from London reports mass deportations in Luxembourg following a general strike as German forces threaten to conscript Luxembourg workers to service mines and site works vital to German war effort. The piece notes Luxembourg’s prewar status as a major tin producer and cites a sharp drop in output since German occupation began.
Unclear OCR fragment mentions Eagle Squadrons and operations in the United States, with references to foes and a Scot location fragment. The readable text is garbled, but hints at allied air units and wartime activity involving specific locations and enemy forces.
Recent front reports indicate Chinese forces pressuring Japan with signs of enemy resistance collapsing. The Chinese advance segments from Wuyt toward Rinhwe, moving southeast near Chekang as reports detail heavy enemy losses and persistent pursuit in the northwest.
New York dated September 1 Chicago Daily News reports radio difficulties in setting up an interview with M Laval. The exchange with Laval was tense and blunt, with Vatican relations and Vichy amid tense public posture. The piece notes the Vatican and Vichy relations have deteriorated to a low point.
A Dublin dispatch cites the Times and New York Times noting relations between the Laval government and the United States deteriorate. The debate centers on Laval aiding Nazi Germany through forced French labor and the potential open diplomatic break if Laval surrenders remaining French assets.
The Vichy radio said freeing French war prisoners depends on supplying 150,000 skilled workers for Germany. Report notes intensified departure of French workers to Germany and growing disappointment in prisoner camps as hopes rise.
London reports Prime Minister for Production Oliver Lyttelton warned in Sheffield that the next 60 days would bring a new phase of the war. He urged resolve, noting the Russians must hold their lines, or the balance would shift against the Allies. He hailed the wartime alliance as the greatest yet, predicting decisive victory.
Report notes Pearl Harbor damage fixed by December 7 with Harbour repairs meeting expectations. References United States planning and broader wartime context. Mentions Allied and enemy forces and remarks on comparative sizes of Allied and Axis strengths.
September 18 report in The Times notes full gravity of fuel problem not yet realized. Production shortfalls threaten supply. efforts to increase deliveries and mobilize reserves face delays. Officials warn winter could be bleak without rapid action by authorities and committees pushing for higher output and earlier shipments.
Report from the Owen Stanley Range describes renewed heavy fighting with Australian troops countering Japanese pressure along the Buna line. Allied air and naval support, including medium bombers and reconnaissance, target Japanese supply barges and airfields as operations extend across the Solomons front.
Vice Admiral Walker states that Britannia mobilized patrol boats and mines to shield merchant shipping from German submarines. He notes over 29,000 warship repairs and extensive repairs since June, with about 35,000 merchant ships aided or returned to service.
The Australian Associated Press notes Admiralty statements from London in September describing recent naval actions near Tobruk. Details indicate destroyers Zu and others were sunk or damaged, with numerous sailors rescued or missing as crews attempted to reach safety. The report confirms losses and ongoing rescue efforts.
Incomplete text notes flood events in Sind floods area with references to agencies and names unclear. Mentions agencies and dates, but many details unreadable. provides minimal situational context and no clear outcomes or actions.
Fragmentary OCR text mentions a British salvage operation and a list of seemingly garbled names and terms. Key entities are unclear. readable fragments reference Britain and a salvage context without coherent facts or a clear event.
Air transport activity appears prominent with reference to Wey Isna and related operations. The fragmentary text hints at a transport service, possible aircraft movements, and regional identifiers though specifics remain unclear. Names, places, and times are obscured by OCR, but imply a notable aviation event or program in the region.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.