17 Jan 1941
Page 1
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 16 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Jan 17, 1941
Page
1
London reports heavy sandstorms clear allowing British troops to move equipment toward Tobruk. Artillery seeks positions within four miles of Italian defences while night patrols probe Italian lines. Italian gunners show limited energy as RAF actions continue and captured Italian diesel trucks enter service.
Sergian G Fitchett reports from Gairo on the Tobruk front where Australian and British forces tighten the circle around Tobruk after a successful move from Bardia. Patrols probe defenses as supply lines grow and air and ground reconnaissance dominate operations despite harsh desert conditions.
Melbourne reports the final firing tests of the first batch Bren guns made in Australia were conducted at Lithgow. The minister for munitions said the guns are completely produced in Australia under an accelerated program.
The 8000 ton French ship Mendoza sailed from Monte Video heading toward Grazii while within the neutrality zone. The British ship Asturias trailed seven miles behind as a Bri vessel guarded Monte Video. Officials stated no blockade lift for the Mendoza and four other French ships and no mavicerts have been issued for their cargoes. A ship bound for Europe without a navicert will be intercepted and detained when possible.
Greek forces in Klisura and surrounding sectors resisted renewed Italian advances under heavy snowfall. Reports from Athens quote both Daily Telegraph and Times correspondents noting improvised Italian counterattacks, Greek gains in places, and Italian retreats to fortified positions north of Klisura. Weather and fog hindered identification and limited artillery success, with local combats yielding prisoners and four guns.
The National Service Association of Japan plans lectures to warn the public of Pacific danger and U.S. hostility. Government boards back the effort to sustain support for Japan's East Asia aims as vernacular papers unite in accusing Anglo American maneuvers to block Japan's objectives.
A cryptic report notes heightened clashes among Italian factions before Bardia amid high level talks and security concerns. Officials report skirmishes and disputed leadership as tensions rise.
The Illustrious fought off German bombers for over seven hours after arriving under its own power at a Mediterranean port. Despite heavy damage and casualties, deck crews evacuated the wounded, kept turbines running, and the carrier sailed to sea again with repairs pending.
Sydney reports that the full Cabinet declared Jehovah's Witnesses an illegal organization amid investigations into their activities and potential leaks of defense information. Four radio stations were closed pending ownership inquiries and connections to the organization. Prime Minister Menzies cited Cabinet decisions made in the Navy Minister's absence due to illness. Watchtower officials declined comment.
The Admiralty reports H M S Southampton, a 9000 ton cruiser, was sunk with fire set by German dive bombers on January 14 as towing to port proved impracticable. Most of the crew are safe. The Pandora submarine sank two Italian 5000 ton supply ships in the central Mediterranean, one with a deck cargo of motor transports.
Reports from Sofia indicate near certainty of a German move into Bulgaria with Moscow denying any knowledge of such troop movements. Bulgarian press reacts with mixed stances, from pro Axis rhetoric to official denials, while Romania limits livestock exports to stockpile meat for potential conflict.
The RAF struck the vital German war center at Wilhelmhaven in the night raid. It was the heaviest blow of the night, with the target heavily hit and the facility unlikely to resume normal activity soon.
Secretary Hull argues for a new policy to aid democracies and Britain, claiming sea control and rapid action are essential to counter aggression. He says the plan supersedes parts of the Neutrality Act and stresses US security and Western Hemisphere defense amid Axis threats.
Secretary Morgenthau said Britain had received and paid for war materials worth 1.287 billion dollars by January 1. He projected Britain would be 1.464 billion dollars short in 1941 to pay US war orders, with total British dollar assets on January 1, 1941 at 1.775 billion dollars.
Rear Admiral Robinson announced Congress will fund urgently needed mine sweepers boats and other craft to be built this year at the Great Lakes. Secretary Knox said the Navy is moving quickly to organize shipyards on a two hour base while most work now runs on a 48 hour cycle. Time and a half wages for a 40 hour week. The Atlantic Fleet and Army plan joint maneuvers in the Caribbean starting January 2.
Military authorities plan a special procedure to keep recruitment totals secret when ALF recruiting resumes in May. Some states will run restricted recruitment with uneven totals to prevent enemy intelligence from gauging Australia's manpower. Many volunteers remain ready on standby jets.
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.