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Newspaper
Cedar Rapids Gazette
Location
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Dec 20, 1943
Page
1
The president acted promptly to streamline the handling of future wartime news releases, aiming to ensure timely dissemination of important events. His action signals an organized approach to managing information during the ongoing conflict.
The President favors releasing war and national security news at the earliest moment. The Cedar Rapids Postwar Planning Council has begun canvassing armed forces on postwar needs. Discussions among veterans and civilians focus on repatriation, economy, and morale, while Churchill reportedly recovers from pneumonia.
Berlin radio reported German troops abandoned the Kherson bridgehead as Soviet forces widened a major strike to the north, breaching lines near Nevel and nearing Polotsk. About 20,000 Germans killed and 2,000 captured in the six day push, with Soviets within 200 miles of Riga and threatening key railways from Leningrad to the northwest fronts.
Washington AP reports War Production Board Chairman Donald M. Nelson formally announced further reductions in paper use for newspapers and books to begin January 1, amid a paper supply shortage and continued wartime rationing.
The city truck drivers from Truck Drivers Local No. 238 struck Monday, pulling 57 workers from streets, health, and parks divisions. Pickets lined city hall, barns, and the health department as unions seek a 44 hour week, 8am to 5pm shifts, and seniority rights, citing night work during snowstorms while the council offered a 48 hour week with overtime and holiday pay.
A U S Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows the Cedar Rapids cost of 61 food items rose .7 percent from mid October to mid November. Eggs jumped 5.3 percent and carrots 9.9 percent year over year. oranges fell 6.9 percent.
London AP reports Winston Churchill's temperature remains normal and he is making satisfactory progress. Earlier bulletins said the pneumonia that sent him to bed in the Middle East was clearing and an irregular pulse noted by a heart specialist caused concern.
In Kharkov crowds of about fifty thousand watched four Ford trucks carry to gallows three German officers and one Russian traitor. Maj. Gen. A N Myasnikov sentenced them for mass butchery of Russian prisoners and civilians. The executions ended a dramatic World War II war crimes trial.
London reports full swing preparations for a Western Front opening. Admiral Harold R Stark left for Washington to discuss naval matters while Gen Dwight D Eisenhower is said to have arrived in Britain to command invasion forces. Vichy radio claims Henri Giraud will join Britain from Algiers, and Harold Alexander may succeed Eisenhower in the Mediterranean. London railways are moving troops and equipment to base points for the invasion, described as the largest transport operation yet.
The navy announced a medium sized United States merchant vessel was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Mexico early in December, marking another submarine attack in the region. The latest sinking brings the total U S losses to forty.
Allied forces under Gen. Mark Clark push through San Pietro and advance toward San Vittore with gains in the mountains northeast toward Cassino. In Italy north of Venafro Fifth army clashes through rugged terrain as American artillery inflicts heavy losses. Along the Adriatic coast Montgomery’s Eighth army overrun an enemy position, capturing Consalvi and knocking out five German tanks, while 50 parachutists are taken prisoner.
American forces seized San Pietro after a brutal 48 hour fight in Italy on the hundredth day of the Fifth Army’s invasion. The advance came as Nazis retreated from the key winter position near Cassino, leaving a devastated town strewn with battlefield debris and casualties.
In La Paz a four hour coup toppled President Enrique Penaranda. Victor Paz Estenssoro emerged as the new head, with the revolution promising to back the United Nations and oppose Axis powers. Casualties were reported but not fully detailed as palace seizure occurred by 9 am. The new regime claimed an “economic redemption” for Bolivia.
Cedar Rapids liquor store employees report a Christmas rush as customers flock to buy whisky and wine during the rationing period. Lorence Anthony notes three week trend of early buying but says whisky will be available for those who delay. Each permit holder may purchase only one bottle this week. East side store also sees heavy lines at opening.
The Office of Price Administration announced March 1 changes to ration quotas for hotels, restaurants, and similar outlets. Quotas will be based on the number of people served rather than customers’ total visits, with separate ledgers required for food and drink servings. Bowles said this aims to free meat and processed foods for home diners and reduces allocations to soda fountains, night clubs, and roadside stands.
London reports a massive Allied air offensive with American and British bombers targeting Augsburg and Innsbruck and sending raids into northwestern Germany. Mediterranean-based Liberators and Flying Fortresses attack industrial sites and rail hubs, while Luftwaffe countered with mass fighter opposition and losses reported on both sides.
The Office of Defense Transportation permits Cedar Rapids grocers to deliver on Thursday instead of Friday for two holiday weeks, with Tuesday deliveries unchanged. W. T. Shipe of the Linn County Retail Food Dealers association notes housewives welcome earlier arrivals for holiday meals.
The late Edsel B. Ford, president of Ford Motor Co and son of founder Henry Ford, left a personal estate valued at 64,980,000 in an inventory filed in Ellsworth probate court Maine.
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