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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 21, 1941
Page
1
The Tenn essee river rose to 16.60 feet with a 61 degree high and 35 degree low and no rain. Cotton prices posted gains with strict middling at 17.60 and middling 17.35 while nationwide defense efforts prompt waste paper drives and Boy Scout collections.
A highway crash near Town Creek within Colbert County killed private Eugene Pursley, Elton Griffin, and Marvin Burden, all 18 or 19, with Irvin Crow injured. Griffin was Hazelwood High football captain elect, Burden and Griffin from Courtland and Town Creek, respectively. Crow died later at Sheffield hospital while Pursley later died at Decatur hospital. a fourth man was not confirmed. Funeral services were set for Courtland Baptist Church for Griffin and Burden.
The Daily tempts readers with features across pages including an Italy revolt plot on page two and joyful cash register scenes on page three. A bear skin displayed at the University of Alabama museum is noted, along with church services in Decatur Hartselle and Athens.
Little Mary Nell Smith of Lacey’s Spring Route 1, once in an iron lung at Benevolent Society Hospital, has been sent to a Birmingham clinic for crippled children. She was among the infantile paralysis victims during the recent epidemic in Alabama.
Local readers are reminded that their letters to Santa Claus will appear in The Decatur Daily's Christmas Eve edition. Space limits determine how many letters are printed, and letters should be sent to The Daily immediately.
A 16 year old farm youth Richard F. Dehler confessed to killing his parents and two younger siblings in a Minnesota village. He said he was tired of being pushed around and fired on them from outside the kitchen window after a dispute with his father. The victims were Mr and Mrs August Dehler Anna Mae 10 and Kenneth 5. He is jailed to face first degree murder charges.
Three Republican senators Bridges of New Hampshire Taft of Ohio and Brooks of Illinois said the party should offer constructive criticism of administration war policies while avoiding running the war in Congress. They framed a loyal opposition as wholesome and necessary.
A Ka towice court in Upper Silesia sentenced a 62 year old woman to ten years in a penitentiary for listening to foreign radio broadcasts and passing the news to relatives. The court spared a death sentence due to her age.
Mrs. Virgie Loggins of Decatur Route 2 died Saturday night at Benevolent Hospital at 50. Survived by husband Edgar Loggins two sons Marlin and Charles two daughters Hazel and Irene her parents Mr. and Mrs. L W Brown four brothers and eight sisters. Funeral Monday at 2 30 in Johnson's Chapel. Interment by McAfee Howell and Young.
London dispatch reports Adolf Hitler acknowledged German forces face a numerically and materially stronger enemy on the Eastern front. Goebbels reads an appeal urging Germans to donate warm clothing as the army endures bitter conditions. High command notes African forces withdrawing westward and heavy fighting on the frigid Russian front with no German advances. Proclamation notes continue on page two.
Dec 20 report says Japanese broadcasts praise the British and Allied defenders in Hong Kong including Tommies Canadians and Sikh troops. They claim Mount Victoria guns still answer intermittently while authorities in London warn a rapid fall of the colony is possible. The colonial office notes operations are ongoing.
War analysis notes two weeks after Pearl Harbor the nation agrees to a presidential board to sift facts while continuing the fight. Initial impressions favored air power but naval losses and the mystery of how so many ships and crews were struck at harbor moorings challenge the early assessment.
The article discusses naval tactics in wartime defense, noting that no fleet would risk bases in harbor during international tension. It cites torpedo-laden U boats and the rise of sea mobilization as Britain’s initial move and describes radio blackout for defending ships.
Naval sources report enemy submarines sinking U S ships off California and on the Atlantic coast while a U S submarine torpedoed a Japanese transport in the Pacific. Rear Admiral John W. Green Slade in San Francisco appeals to shipyard workers amid a union dispute as Mindanao faces major fighting in the Philippine theater. Cavite naval base near Manila was bombed with minor property damage and light casualties.
The Navy said it had received unconfirmed reports that two toll tankers were attacked off the California coast. One report said the 6,912 ton Emidio was fired upon off Blunt's Reef near Eureka and sent distress signals. The 6,771 ton Agwiworld was attacked off Cypress Point about 100 miles south of San Francisco, but it reportedly escaped and reached a safe harbor. Rear Admiral J W Green Slade noted the Navy cannot confirm these reports.
Reports say Admiral Ernest J. King is promoted from Atlantic fleet to commander in chief of the United States fleet, with authority over Pacific Atlantic and Asiatic waters. Secretary Knox also reorganizes top Navy leadership and contemplates a supreme wartime council.
Japanese forces inland on Mindanao after dawn landing and Penang captured while Hongkong fall seems likely. London reports raid attempts with bombs and anti aircraft fire over Thames and parts of England with some casualties. Singapore line formation holds against Japanese, while Dutch East Indies claim hits on two Japanese cruisers near Sarawak coast and Borneo.
The Office for Emergency Management said that electric power shortages seem certain in 1942 and 1943 in several regions including the east Southwest coast and part of the Middle West. Power rationing is expected in the shortage areas.
A labor industry conference failed to agree on anti-strike measures prompting renewed Senate and House momentum to act. Roosevelt urged a quick accord while industry pressed to restrict union shop extension during the emergency, possibly delaying any new legislation.
BIRMINGHAM Ala Santa Claus attempted to enlist but was refused due to age. The real life Santa, J H Lackey 62 from a farm in Manam, travels to act as Nick in a department store each year and wore full regalia when he entered the recruiting office.
Japanese forces struck Davao on Mindanao at dawn, with four transports unloading troops as defense lines engaged them. Hongkong faced fierce combat as British Imperial troops, Canadians, and Indian units resisted, while Tokyo forecast falls and Allied actions targeted the Japanese fleet and fifth column activities.
Manila dispatch reports communication breaks as Japanese land near Davao on Mindanao. Japanese troops reportedly ashore from four ports while Luzon remains contested with beachheads on several coasts. MacArthur announces heavy fighting with long-prepared ground defenses supported by American air power.
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