Cold Day Reflections From a German Front Line Letter
Hodges Minor writes from a German house in November 1944 about extreme cold, German shells, and the aim to reach Berlin. He describes no Germans remaining in the house, shell damage, sleep arrangements, and his hope for mail, packages, and a postwar visit to Lafayette Street.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hodges Minor
Germany
Berlin
Minor
East Lafayette Decatur
O.k
LaFayette Street
Ime
Hodges
Rotary hears Pittman talk in Decatur
Decatur Rotary held a double bar program at the Car r Hotel. John D. Pittman of the Alabama Crippled Children’s Clinic spoke on its work in Alabama noting the clinic has expanded from five beds in 1929 to forty with a fifty bed capacity in a pinch. He cited Morgan county treatment figures and said 5 159 children have received care since the clinic’s founding. The club announced cooperation with civic groups to raise funds for the clinic’s operation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Decatur
Carr Hotel
John D. Man
Pee Eee
Alabama Cripplehildren
Alabama
James L. Rankin
Nee Sees
E. P.ornhill
Hartselle
Andy Shelton
Robert McRight
Rutledge
Thomas
Wilson Orr
Sam Pruett
Alvin Rds
Robert von
Frank Yaney
Bill Kim
James H. Johnson
Joe Duncan
Wallace Meadows
Pitman
Crippled Children’s Clinic
Morgan - County
Eec
Morgan County
Decatur Rotary Club
The Road to Berlin Front Distances Report
The Associated Press notes distances to Berlin on multiple fronts. Western front 301 miles from near Duren Russian front 304 miles north of Warsaw Hungarian front 400 miles north of Sobag front 550 miles from unknown point.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Berlin
Associated Press
Western Front
Duren
Warsaw
Sobag
How To Be Your Own Interior Decorator
A vintage guide shows simple space saving and decorating tips for small living areas. It covers repurposing furniture with drawers from plastic cabinets, using wall borders, decals on cupboards, and turning an old keg into seating. It adds mirror arrangements, improvised storage, upcycled textiles, and cheap finishes to brighten bedrooms kitchens and guest rooms.
Germans Drive 80 Mile Front Push Across Belgian Luxembourg Border
Allied reports describe a major German offensive along an 80 mile front from Monschau toward the Luxembourg border with heavy attacks. American troops engage in battle as German armored columns strike across the line. Bombers and fighter planes support the effort while Allied forces respond with mass air power and countermeasures.
Local hospital births and police blotter in Decatur area
Miss Hatsie Cunningham and Annie Elizabeth Mitchell admitted to Decatur General hospital as medical patients. Birth announcements include sons for Mr and Mrs R E Lewis and Mr and Mrs Joe Hamilton and a daughter for Mr and Mrs T R Blevins at Baugh infirmary. Local patrol reports no accidents, city docket lists nine cases, and a Legion post called meeting announced. Lewter held for grand larceny after attempting to steal Evelyn Alexander’s car. Fire calls at 332 Sherrmarr Street and 709 Grant Street, minor damage. Lt H Douglas Hardwick arrives for two weeks with parents before next assignment. Decatur City Council meeting slated for 7:30 pm.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
H. Douglas Hardwick
J. J. Hardwick
Hardwick
Market Snapshot New York Stocks and Cotton Prices
Trading remained uneven as strong equities faced mild selling with little weakness. Pivotals rose slightly on earnings and dividend hopes while bonds and commodities showed uneven activity. Spot cotton quiet with late gains of five cents a bale as futures for March, May and July posted modest quotes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Markets at a Glance New York and Chicago Briefs
New York stocks show easy light selling while bonds retreat. Cotton remains quiet with mill buying and liquidation. Chicago grains turn mixed with dull Wheat, firm Corn and Rye, and light covering. Hogs advance 25 to 50 cents to a top of 14.75. Cattle stay strong with tops near 17.60.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Chicago
Cotton futures drift on light mill buying and hedging
In New York on December 18 trading was subdued by a lack of new incentives. Mills bought only to offset, while liquidation and hedge selling pressured gains after an earlier rally.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Butter Eggs Chicago Price Listings Report
Butter and eggs markets in Chicago report price ranges and receipts. Butter receipts 159,922 and 93 score AA 41 1-2. eggs receipts 7,799 with U S extras 46 to 49.3 and dirties 31 to 35. Centralized carrots listed at 88 41 3-4.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
U. S
Nashville Livestock Market Report Summary
At Nashville Tennessee the Federal State Market News Service notes a light early cattle run with slow but steady trade. Prices show 885 lb steers around 13.50, vealers 14.00 to 15.50, hogs up about 25 cents, lambs 13.00 to 14.00, with broader ranges for feeders cows and calves and multiple weight classes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nashville Livestock
Nashville
Tenn
Federal-State Market News Service
Grain Prices Reported for Chicago Wheat and Corn
Grain market notes from Chicago on December 18 show no wheat trading. Corn prices listed for various yellow corn grades with No 2 yellow at 1.55 and No 5 yellow around 1.01 to 1.04, plus sample grades and misc feeds.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Sam- Fee
Phosphorus Furnace Prospective at Wilson Dam Plant
Washington December 18 The War Production Board said a new phosphorus furnace to produce 9000 tons yearly may be installed at the TVA operated Wilson Dam plant in Alabama. The project is under consideration to meet civilian needs curtailed by heavy military requirements.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
TVA
Wilson Dam
Ala
War Production Board
Chaplin Faces Crude Round in Baby Paternity Case
In Los Angeles a jury may hear Charlie Chaplin grilled over paternity claims by Joan Berry. Attorney Joseph Scott plans a rapid case outline and will call Dr. Russell Starr to date conception for Carol Ann born 14 months ago. Chaplin denies paternity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Los Angeles
Charlie Chaplin
Joseph Scott
Joan Berry
Scott
Miss Berry
Russell Starr
Carol Ann
Starr
Chaplin
Phosphorus Shortage Threatens Soap Supply in 1945
Wartime WPB warns a stage of phosphorus shortage could curb soap production in the first half of 1945, risking civilian supply. Officials say output may fall below civilian requirements if the material remains scarce.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
WPB
Allied air and ground actions across German defenses reported
Allied pilots attacked at deck level destroying tanks armored vehicles and rails while 33 Allied planes were lost. German bombing continued but appeared diminished indicating Luftwaffe strain. Paratroopers harassed American lines as Pattons third army breached the Siegfried line near Degen Saarlautern. Seventh army advanced in the Wisembourg gap and the 14th armored division moved within 32 miles of the Rhine and Colmar aiming at Mittelwehr Diebolsheim and Hohneck in the Schlucht pass. A 60 mile German pressure front stretched from Monschau to Trier.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Germany
Heckhusscheid
Malmedy
Luxembourg
Vianden
Echternach
U. S. Ninth
Second Army
George S. Patton
Third
D Gen
Saarlautern
Third Army
Dil
Seventh Army
der M. Patch
Wissembourg
Rhine
Vosges
Ober-Otterbach
Steinfeld
U. S. 14Th Armored Division
Alsace
Mittelwehr
Benwihr
Colmar
Diebolsheim
Selestat
Hohneck
Schlucht Pass
Shert
Pit
Monschau
Reich
Trier
Florence Plans Postwar Growth Across City Sectors
Florence Alabama plans for postwar growth cover education recreation housing and industry. The Florence planning commission and state board meet monthly with local leaders to map streets schools public buildings and utilities while pursuing a union truck terminal and air service.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Florence
Ala
Florence Planning Commission
State Planning Board
C. Hewlett Jackson
Florence Chamber of Commerce
Jackson
Chamber of Commerce
Florence State Teachers’ College
Public Welfare
Health Department
Civil Aeronautics Board
World War II massacre witnessed by surviving GIs
Pvt William F Geem recounts a brutal encounter where German forces slaughtered many soldiers in mud while he and others feigned death. A Tiger tank loomed within 100 yards as T 5 Harold W Billow led a breakout toward the woods. Less than 20 survivors reached American lines after hours of fighting.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pvt
William F. Geem
Elizabethtown
Harold W. Billow
Mount John
Ohio
Ines
Alabama veterans HQ expansion gets 230000 appropriation
The supplemental appropriation bill approved by the Senate includes a 230000 grant for expanding the Alabama Veterans Administration headquarters in Montgomery. Veterans administrator Brig. Gen. Frank T. Hines told Sen. Hill that enlargement of the Montgomery offices will begin soon as White House actions proceed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Alabama
Veterans’ Administration
Montgomery
Senate
Frank T. Hines
Sen. Hill
Ala
White House
Vacancies in Navy Seabees Offer Skilled Trades
R W Smith in charge at Decatur Navy recruiting station announces many openings for carpenters and road equipment operators in the Seabees. Eligible men aged 25 to 45 with years of experience will be enlisted as petty officers, first and second class. The Decatur station, in Morgan County Courthouse, is open Mondays 9 am to 2 pm.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Seabees
R. W. Smith
Navy
Decatur
Senaeet
Smith
Morgan County
Two Mile Advance Cuts Yamashita Line in Philippines
Allied forces broke through toward the Yamashita line between Mt. Catabaran and Valencia. Japanese air activity was light aside from a Morotai raid. Tokyo claimed wreckage near San Jose Mindoro and ongoing attacks on remnants of enemy ships in the region. Domei spoke of an enemy fleet south of Mindoro with possible moves from Luzon’s vicinity, though no Allied confirmation was given.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mt. Catabaran
Valencia
Morotai Island
Philippines
Tokyo
San Jose
Mindoro Island
Domei
Sulu Sea
Doro Island
Funeral Services For Miss McMahon
Miss Lillie McMahon, former Courtland resident, died Sunday in Birmingham where she had lived twelve years with her niece P. E. French. Body arrived in Decatur aboard the Pan-American at 9 40 am. Funeral services were held at noon at the Courtland Methodist Church with interment in Courtland. Brown directing. Survived by her niece Mrs. French of Birmingham.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lillie McMahon
Courtland
Birmingham
P. E. French
Decatur
Courtland Meth
Courtland Rear
Connally vows Senate vote on State dept nominees this winter
Senator Connally of Texas declared he will fight for a Senate vote on six State department appointees, even if it takes all winter. The relations chair said a vote could come this week, while opposition seeks to delay until recess nominees are named.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Connally
Tex
Senate
State Department
Re Relations Committee
Soe Ce Cc. Ee
Roosevelt
Guffey
D-Pa
Grew
Congress
Pepper
Dfla
Nte Hgase
Central Valley Authority of California
House
Rosevelt
Morgan County Support for Birmingham Crippled Children's Hospital
The Morgan County Medical Society voted to endorse building a modern crippled children’s hospital in Birmingham. They argue a large central facility offers better care and lower costs, urging statewide and county support as medical science advances. L. R. Murphree notes local and state backing is likely.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Morgan County Medical Society
Cripp Children's Hospital
Birmingham
Morgan County
Alabama
L. R. Murphree
Moth of the Silkworm Loses Flight Ability
The silkworm moth has lost its ability to fly and now depends entirely on humans for survival.
Venlo History Sees Ten Hands Change Control
In Venlo Netherlands the town changed hands ten times over a span of years reflecting a volatile sequence of occupations and governance shifts impacting local authority and civic life.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Venlo
Netherlands
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Courtland Road
Gene Aker
Yer
Dudson
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Tuh
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von Rundstedt
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Hatsie Cunningham
Eighth Avenue West
Decatur General Hospital
R. E. Lewis
Tanner
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T. R. Blevins
West Vine Street
Baugh Infirmary
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Ninth Avenue East
Guinnie Puckett
Moulton
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Sam Wheat
William Lewter
Lewter
Parker and McCall
Evelyn Alexander
Nineteenth Avenue
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Elmer C. White
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W. E. White
Danville
McMahon
City Park Flower Shop
LOYD
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Public Accountant
Morgan County National Bank
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