17 May 1945
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 28 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
May 17, 1945
Page
1
Fragmented report cites U S President saying Russia would strike Japan if European knots tighten. Chinese and Japanese actions in Hunan and Foochow inflame tensions. Article notes casualties, territorial claims, and stalled efforts at peace.
London reports that British and German scientists pursued an atomic bomb during the war. A bomb no bigger than an alarm clock could level a city as large as London, and the Germans were reportedly developing a similar device at capitulation time.
London reports Himmler may be captured within hours as Danish patriots and British soldiers hunt around the Danish German border near Flensburg. The War Crimes Commission is reviewing Nazi crimes and pressing punishment for those responsible in a report to Congress.
An historical ceremony in Edinburgh featured the presentation of the city keys to His Majesty the King. The King, accompanied by the royal princesses, received the offering as a sign of loyalty and later returned the keys to confirm confidence in the government during celebrations of victory.
The Dutch government announces Professor Gerkindy has tendered his resignation to the Queen while Professor Stavanow notes the move as routine. The Queen is said to be considering the resignation, with ministers urged to attend to routine matters and national interests.
Fragmentary OCR text indicates a report of damages linked to Ayrian independence on a Wednesday. It mentions protection of nation and potential risks to property during engagement of foreign services, but details are unclear due to garbled wording.
President Truman said a conference with Churchill and Stalin was discussed with Eden and would be a Big Three gathering. He stressed united aims for demilitarization and joint agreement, paving the way for German reparations in kind and restoration of overrun territories.
Field Marshal von Milech and General Hasso von Manteuffel, both once high ranking Nazi commanders, are reported to be in a Luneburg prison camp living on army rations with alleged champagne custards and other luxury supplements from admirers. Troops overseeing high ranking prisoners are bound to live on standard rations with occasional fresh milk and eggs. British ration cuts foretell further economy as war in Europe wanes.
Geselle recounts a chaotic April 21 meeting in Berlin with Hitler Eva Braun and top aides like Bormann Keitel and Jodl. Hitler reportedly said he would not continue and discussed a successor, Goering, while staff debated destroying or copying records before departing the Chancellery at night.
A liberated American prisoner reports that Allied airmen shot down over Berlin were rounded up by German civilians and stoned for about 30 minutes by women and children, then beaten by Hitler Youths before Luftwaffe officers intervened. The account, given in Luneburg, names Gunner Sergeant Fimanuel Pappas and a suburban burgomaster as involved. The report accompanies unrelated items on tax relief delays and missing police funds in Mexico City.
Daily Mall reports the King trained at a Palace practice range and became an expert shot with a tommy gun. The Queen reportedly used a revolver kept in the sitting room. Authorities feared a parachutist kidnapping plot against the Ming, Queen, or Princesses. The King allegedly carried a tommy gun in his car during travel and would fire if attacked.
Oslo correspondent of United Press reports about the Norwegian underground during the German occupation. About 2,000 members died, 300 to 400 were executed, and at least 1,000 perished in camps. Several hundred wounded. details incomplete due to secretive agent activity. The underground was led by a 30 year old Oslo lawyer whose name remains unrevealed.
SHAEF figures show extensive V bomb destruction in Belgium with over 5,000 killed and 21,000 injured in six months. Antwerp and Liege suffered widespread housing losses while Belgium total houses destroyed reach 9,610 from 1940 to 1842. V bomb attacks around Antwerp caused thousands of casualties and extensive damage.
General Eisenhower and General Bradley arrived in London and were greeted by cheering crowds at a theatre. A comedian announced their presence as a spotlight flashed and they waved. Eisenhower thanked the audience and cast, noting the support of friends in London. Special police were needed to manage crowds later at Downing Street.
A special AP correspondent reports Subhas Chandra Bose and Burmese premier Baw Maw fled Rangoon with Japanese troops. Bose left 5,000 of his Indian National Army behind, now leaderless and causing concern to Australian commander Husan as Rangoon fell under control. The army’s reputation dimmed after Kohima, with chatter that Col. Chatlenger may lead the march on Delhi.
SHAEF mission reports tight control of the Doenitz government at Flensburg. Remnants of the German High Command and various service representatives were found. Flensburg radio seized to curb un authoritative broadcasts about Allied rifts.
Washington reports the stern Allied occupied Germany regime permits death sentences for espionage and acts aiding the Nazi party and other offences. Heavy penalties include defying curfews, bribery of Allied personnel, spreading alarmist rumors, or withholding required information.
President Truman, in a press conference, says a free press for Germany must align with military security and a Nazi purge, as General Eisenhower insists there can be no restoration of German areas until Nazi and militarist influence is eliminated. Allied forces require German soldiers to salute Allied officers and stand for the National Anthem.
Snippet mentions a salute used as a form of family by Germans and references an Alliea or Alliea group. The text is garbled and reads like an OCR fragment with unclear subjects and context. No clear event, date, or named organizations are discernible.
A Rome report says 200000 German POWs are placed by the Allies with Italy for reconstruction. Brussels radio notes 4000 German war prisoners to begin work in Belgian coal mines per Belgian–Allied agreement. British Cabinet releases many Volktaturn to the Third Army area to work on farms as winter nears.
A Japanese radio broadcast reports the formation of a "Sure Victory" party after unconditional surrender actions by Italy and Germany. General Minami warns of a terrible outcome if duty is neglected, while Tokyo cites recent air losses and mounting Allied pressure in the Pacific.
Washington reports that Japan received bad news from the War Production Board chief about US output with more than 2 000 Super Fortresses built and a monthly rate above 200. Nagoya Palace, a 300 year old feudal relic, was destroyed in Monday's raid by 500 Super Fortresses in broad daylight per Tokyo radio.
Manila dispatch reports heavy Allied bombing of Formosa targeting Takao and Hwito with Liberator aircraft. Facilities including an alcohol plant near By pritsu were torched and enemy lines, bridges, and roads damaged. A lone enemy fighter was observed but did not engage.
Major Steele, UK liaison officer returning from Burma, calls Rangoon capture miraculous. He cites the Pegu to Rangoon advance as a fine display of determination and leadership. Prisoners recounted their suffering and how the British rush halted their moves, saving many.
Ninety percent of Mindanao is declared free of the enemy with 85 percent of the population liberated. MacArthur notes American forces close in from north, south, and east as the northern column reaches Magina River area. The List Division advances from the south capturing an aerodrome north of Maramag. The 28th Division presses between Natomo and Davao rivers after repulsing a counterattack. The 43rd Division advances north from Infanta toward Yeam. Heavy bombers strike Formosa. Allied planes destroy Byoritsu plant, four coasters, a bridge, and rolling stock, with further strikes across Indo China and the Netherlands Indies.
U S Marines force entry into Naha capital Okinawa amid heavy mortar and machine gun fire. American forces push through the Agate River line toward the core of Naha while facing a crumbling defense line held by Japanese forces. Admiral Nimitz said heavy fighting continued in western and central sectors as Marines in the suburbs of Naha repelled morning assaults and drove attackers toward Takamotoj town.
Australian and Dutch forces on Tarakan attacked an enemy position overlooking the road east of the Paomesian oilfields. In New Guinea the A.L.F. Sixth Division cleared the northern portion of Sari village with patrol contacts, while air units bombarded enemy positions and fuel dumps at Rabaul, Kavieng, Bougainville, and New Guinea areas.
Australian troops in Tarakan receive postal and medical supplies by air as a five day service operates from British and New Guinea areas. An early landing included Army Dental Unit personnel to treat jaw wounds and ensure urgent care for fallen men.
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