23 Dec 1941
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 11 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Dec 23, 1941
Page
1
American and Filipino forces grip coasts north of Manila as a large Japanese assault unfolds across Luzon. Reports describe intensified fighting, coastal landings, and continued attempts to penetrate via Kelantan fronts with heavy bombardment and naval transports massing for new landings.
London reports from The Dome agency claim Japan controls key centres and communications in Hongkong though surrender may be delayed to avoid destruction and population loss. British ships reportedly encircled and under heavy attack while Tokyo radio and Chinese sources cite Japanese occupation trends and ongoing combat around Shumechin and related areas.
Civilians question British stance toward Thailand while noting Japanese gains at Penang and Singapore. Report discusses evacuation flaws including unscuttled radars and other matériel left on decks and wharves.
A garbled broadcast from Tokyo cites Central Senjuro Hayashi urging Axis powers to press a wide offensive in Africa and the Near East. The radio address mentions American actions and shifting fronts, with references to strategists and sectors for potential action.
British forces push west and southwest toward Benghazi as Rommel executes a rapid withdrawal. Air losses mount and German, Italian positions fall back toward Sirte while Allied patrols penetrate 180 miles into Cyrenaica and destroy enemy airfields.
Washington correspondent for the New York Times says talks among the United States Britain Russia and the White House are planned for midweek. The discussions will address grand alliances and likely yield results for the middle Allies.
A wartime editorial review argues Japan poses a greater danger than Hitler, urging Britain to treat the Japanese threat as urgent. It cites editorial voices from Daily Mail and Daily Express stressing the need for a united imperial war effort and swift, decisive action.
London reports Hitler has dismissed Commander-In-Chief Marshal von Brauchitsch and taken over supreme control of the German armed forces. The move follows claims of plans to negotiate with Soviet leaders and to appoint a new field commander as strategic shifts unfold globally.
An Associated Press dispatch from the Red Army corridor reports the sixth and seventh German divisions crushed near Klin-Volokulamsk as retreat becomes a panicked rout. The road to 25 miles is strewn with wrecked tanks, vehicles, and mass graves as Soviet High Command seeks encirclement to annihilate remaining forces.
A London led summary notes United States and Britain coordinating a joint action plan in London. The report mentions President Roosevelt and military leaders pursuing a unified Far Eastern command while detailing German defenses along the Smolensk and Yelets sectors and Russian counteroffensives near Tikhvin and Leningrad.
The Canberra Times will not publish an issue on Friday December 26 as staff observe Christmas Day as a holiday. No other publishing changes will occur to the daily schedule.
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