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Newspaper
Cedar Rapids Gazette
Location
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Jan 01, 1942
Page
5
A reflective column recalls the 1941 year and the Pearl Harbor shock. It muses on fate and tradition, notes public fatigue with endless resolutions, and urges steady purpose to face the ongoing war effort. The piece mixes humor with solemn memory of a pivotal decade moment.
Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson said American and Filipino troops are fighting a major battle north of Manila with strong positions occupied by defenders. He praised MacArthur's command and warned against rose colored views, stating we will defeat Japan in the end.
Admiral Chester Nimitz, newly in command of the Pacific fleet, warns that Japanese submarines off the west coast could shell coastal cities. He notes the ocean is vast and plans to defend Hawaii remain firm while time will tell on broader attacks.
Pearl Harbor dispatch states enemy warcraft shelled Hilo Nawiliwili Kauai and Kahului Maui around 145 am Wednesday. Minor damage reported a shed near Hilo and a sugar cane field fire near Nawiliwili were extinguished. Kahului shelling noted as the second since the war began.
Gerhard P. Van Arkel, a Des Moines native, Iowa, was appointed assistant general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday in Washington AP report notes his career background and new post.
The nation begins 1942 with wartime resolve and mixed celebrations. Times Square hosts air raid wardens and millions hear the anthem as workers continue production. Pacific coast observances shrink amid blackout fears and city restrictions. Hawaii tightens alarms as Pearl Harbor’s shadow lingers. Washington officials stay vigilant awaiting relief from the Philippines defenders.
British forces on both Malay peninsula fronts report mounting success against Japanese invaders. Contact with Dutch units established in West Borneo after actions in Sarawak, with cooperations to continue. On the Perak river front and near Kuantan, casualties were light though enemy interference persisted.
A UP report from London estimates a million lives were lost by end of 1941 as occupied Europeans rise in non military resistance to Hitler. Yugoslavia leads with 300000 Serbs executed. Poland 112000 dead including leaders. Czech, Greece, Denmark, Norway, France also saw thousands killed. An invisible army of 123 million in 10 nations grows through unrest sabotage and guerrilla activity, shaping an eventual Allied victory. Continued notes on page 2.
Cedar Rapids widow Mrs. Harrison E. Spangler age 55 died at 10 30 p m Wednesday at 655 Cottage Grove avenue SE after a long illness Funeral services set for Saturday at 2 p m at Turner chapel She leaves her husband a Republican national committee executive member and cousin Mrs H L Pollard of Ottumwa She aided the Children s Home as assistant treasurer and longtime director Also active in White Cross Society and Delta Gamma She was born Fay McIntyre April 14 1886 in Ottumwa and married Oct 14 1908
Betty Jean Conrad weighing six pounds born at 12 01 a m Thursday at 253 Nineteenth street NW Cedar Rapids wins the 1942 Baby Derby. She is the first Cedar Rapids birth of the new year at St Luke's hospital with rival infant born at Mercy hospital 12 18 a m. Gerald Conrad works at Tubbs Standard Service and says he would have been proud either way. Betty Jean is the couple's second child with a 15 month older brother Jerry.
New York Up dispatch says a British radio report to the United Press listening post on Thursday claimed four more Japanese transports had been sunk by Dutch naval planes.
Navy patrol plane crew rescued nine American airmen adrift in two life rafts after their plane forced down far from Oahu. Ensign P M Fisler and Leonard Wagoner received Navy Cross honors for perilous sea recovery amid storms and heavy seas. First Lieutenant Earl J Cooper praised the heroic landing as the rafted men boarded the aircraft.
Street Commissioner Dave Williams urged motorists to keep vehicles off city streets overnight as crews clear snow. Power lines remained intact per Iowa Electric Light and Power company. maintenance teams stayed alert for emergencies. Patrol cautioned drivers to avoid streets until the storm ends while shoveling continued on sidewalks. Milwaukee railroad trains limited by drift but eight to ten inches of snow persisted along the main line to Omaha.
A blizzard and drifting snow hit Cedar Rapids New Year s Eve forcing trains five hours behind schedule and threatening a total tie up if conditions persist. Snowfall measured 6.14 inches with 25 degree temps, wind 25 to 35 mph, and plows activated 4 am with 15 plows assigned downtown. Intercity buses ran about 30 minutes late while roads remained open but drifting.
Two congressmen warned Americans of reversals in the Far East with possible loss of the Philippines but held final Allied victory certain. Connally cited rising enemy strength and ship losses. George said victory would come in the Atlantic and Europe, taking about a year to reach full war stride.
A fierce Iowa snowstorm blanketed the state with up to eight inches of fresh snow causing drifting highways and disrupted transport. Blizzard conditions with winds 25 to 35 mph, subzero to near freezing lows, and ongoing heavy snowfall were forecast through Thursday night as roads remained difficult to travel and plows battled driving snow.
Five air crew members were killed when a twin engined Army bomber crashed into a gravel pit in Mineola New York near City Park on Thursday. Eyewitnesses reported the explosion and fire as the plane went down with five men aboard.
New York obituary notes the death of Mary Lewis Oncé a prominent Metropolitan Opera pianist and celebrated singer. The 41 year old performer died Wednesday after a lengthy illness leaving a noted legacy in American music.
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