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 24 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Cedar Rapids Gazette
Location
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Mar 16, 1942
Page
1
A wave of dissatisfaction over wartime production speed has Congressmen worried and citizens writing letters to push for policy changes. Voters fear postwar pork and seek direct government action, stressing sacrifice over politics as elections approach and urging faster mobilization and production.
An American flying fortress attacked the Japanese held airbase at Rabaul on New Britain Island in the Bismarck archipelago. The lone bomber dropped several bombs damaging runways and destroying at least two planes on the ground. a direct hit was scored on parked aircraft. The bomber remained undamaged.
Fourteen Japanese bombers hit Darwin as part of a broader strike against UN naval and air bases in the southwest Pacific. Reports say heavy American and Australian air forces conducted offensive sweeps against Dili, Rabaul, and Gasmata while a UN submarine reportedly sank 60,000 tons of Japanese shipping over a 15,000 mile voyage.
President Roosevelt pressed the Toledo, Peoria and Western railroad to submit its labor dispute to arbitration under the National War Labor Board. George P. McNear Jr. questioned government authority, noting the Railway Labor Act and the executive order must align, warning that seizure could be the alternative if ignored.
At Pendleton Oregon two B 17 bombers from the air base crashed within a half hour killing five officers and 11 enlisted men, Col Frank W Wright announced, marking a wartime disaster for the unit.
Harold Martin Johnson 20 son of Mr and Mrs John M Johnson 709 Third Street NW Cedar Rapids reported missing after a navy telegram. Johnson came from Ames attended Roosevelt High School before enlisting in October 1939. He has a brother Charles and a sister Mary Ellen.
The Office of Price Administration ruled that soldiers sailors and others called to service may sell their new 1942 passenger cars indefinitely outside normal rationing channels. The sale requires a certificate from the local rationing board after a buyer is found. New cars defined as 1942 models seating not more than 10 or with under 1000 miles are affected.
The Senate Finance Committee voted unanimously to raise the federal debt limit from 65 billion to 130 billion dollars. The House had approved 125 billion, but committee members added five billion with the extension to indirect obligations like government guaranteed bonds. Senator Byrd proposed the amendment, and treasury officials indicated no objection.
Don Davis of 629 Fourth Street SW was attacked after accepting a ride on Fourth Avenue between Third and Fourth streets SW. He fought off the assailant, received a head blow requiring medical care, and was escorted to a doctor by a neighbor. The attacker fled in a car.
A municipal primary Tuesday narrows candidates for the public safety commissioner post with three contenders. Incumbent Wes Benesh faces challenger R. L. Whelan and Gilbert Martin as voters select in 23 precincts. Other races show incumbents facing rivals while some offices have secured general election spots.
The United States Britain and China pool men tanks guns and planes to create a front in India Burma and Australia to drive toward Japan. Air Chief Peirse says air HQs are in India with large American reinforcements and plans to push into Japanese territory. British forces report defensive positions north of Rangoon and attacks in the upper Sittang valley while Chinese troops pour into Burma.
A new system for inducting selective service registrants into the army took effect Monday. Registrants will now receive orders for immediate induction and the physical examination will occur after induction, with the War Department agreeing to grant immediate 10 day furloughs to men who need time to wind up civilian affairs.
Four motor bombers are assembled on an early mass production line at Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego. The B 24 Liberator fuselages move along a track through multiple stations as crews perform specialized tasks, with inspections at each stage. Officials say the line boosts speed and morale, though no output figures are released.
Rep. Taber charged that President Roosevelt and a “certain group” surrounding him hinder progress in the war effort. In a speech before the Women’s National Republican Club in New York City, he said Washington officials push defense plans while the president and that group block them.
Washington reports manufacturers of rubber drug sundries including hospital and medical items were urged by the Office of Price Administration to keep prices from rising above March 1 levels while an investigation proceeds toward a price ceiling.
The issue notes a cryptic German communique claiming a British merchant ship of about 2000 gross tons was sunk by a German fighter in the Central Atlantic. The wording hints at a carrier presence far beyond land based air cover, with possible misdirection or miswording.
Rep. Smith proposes twin bills to Vinson Trammell act changes limiting war contract profits to six percent and banning closed shops. The measures suspend overtime rules and bar contracts with unions that restrict hours or require union membership during the national emergency.
Forecast shows showers and thunderstorms Monday afternoon with cooler but above freezing temps overnight. Rain fell from Saturday night into Sunday and Monday, totaling about .45 inch in two days. Temperatures reached 44 degrees Sunday afternoon and dipped to the 38-38 range overnight into Monday morning.
British warships and planes bombed Rhodes in the eastern Mediterranean within the last day. Italy denied damage beyond seven killed and ten injured, while RAF Cairo said island objectives were attacked by bombing planes with other targets at Candia and Crete bombed. No naval action report issued.
A tornado roared across eastern Illinois Monday killing eight people and wounding about forty in Alvin where most buildings were leveled. Four others died in Champaign county as the storm heavily damaged the village of Alvin, a town of 339 residents.
Tokyo says 500 American troops were captured by the Japanese in Java. A Comein dispatch reported 400 taken at Bandoeng in central Java and 100 in eastern Java. Seized materiel included 93 automobiles eight field guns 19 machine guns 390 rifles and 80 000 rounds of ammunition.
Chairman Truman announced a coming inquiry into Robert Guthrie's resignation as chief of the WPB textiles division and his aides amid tensions with staff. Nelson and Herring charged staffers obstructed war production while Moffat faced resistance to expanding industrial alcohol facilities for smokeless powder. Guthrie defended his stand against within WPB resistance, citing industry sacrifices.
Three men were burned in a fire sparked by an explosion in the Cessna Aircraft paint shop in Wichita. Sparks from an electric drill ignited spilled paint. damage described as slight. One man died from injuries.
A fragmented page lists Deaths and Editorials sections among others with scattered headings. Additional items include Farm, Movies, Sports, and Social briefs alongside street names such as Hugh S Johnson Ave and Paul Mallon in Marion.
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.