09 Feb 1942
Page 1
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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Feb 09, 1942
Page
1
Intermittent rain and warmer tonight with river levels and cotton prices noted. Reported arrests, medical notes, church activities, social visits, and local traffic incident populate this Decatur page with regional happenings and upcoming Chamber meeting details.
General MacArthur reported that American Filipino forces repulsed new Japanese attacks on the Bataan peninsula while Cavite fortifications silenced several enemy siege batteries. The War Department noted heavy intermittent fighting and direct hits on Japanese batteries, with no additional reports from other areas.
Allied and Axis actions cloud the Mediterranean battle as Spain faces Axis propaganda and potential US/Europe tensions. In Tangier a time bomb attack linked to Axis influence kills fourteen and wounds thirty six while Britain accuses the Axis of stirring native mobs. Spain may be drawn into conflict as Berlin and Rome push for leverage against Gibraltar and Northwest Africa. Russia reports a Donets offensive against German units as the front shifts.
Richard T. Williams 61 died Sunday at his Hartselle home after a heart attack. Survived by wife three daughters Leotus Clara Geneva Williams all of Hartselle three sons Willis Akron Harold Chicago Hollis Hartselle eight sisters and six brothers. Services 2:30 pm at Church of God Hartselle with Rev N L Mason. Interment Blue Springs cemetery Peck directing pallbearers listed. flowers to be sent by named relatives.
Curtis Hambright, once Birmingham’s leading boxing draw known as Battling Bozo, is in Hillman hospital with poison effects. His condition is listed as only fair. He previously challenged Maxie Rosenbloom for the light heavyweight title and later faded from the ring battling illness and blindness after surgeries funded by local benefit bouts.
Miss Margaret Brannan spoke to the Decatur Rotary Club at Cornelian Court Hotel on the spiritual and educational efforts in China under war conditions. She described makeshift hospitals, fuel shortages, and caves where students studied, and urged Christians to support China’s cause. The meeting ended with President Johnson's expression of sympathy for Patterson on the death of his father.
Police hunt a new style of saboteur described as the meanest man after nails were wedged under tires on a Montgomery street. A sharp-eyed resident spotted the nails and removed them before damage occurred. Judge Scott warned no mercy for tire mutilators, with potential six months in jail and fines.
Gaines Stuart, chairman of the Lions Club committee, learned Sergeant Alvin C. York is ill and cannot appear today. York from Jamestown, Tennessee is bedridden with arthritis and high blood pressure, delaying the visit and prompting a swift postponement notice.
Major General Fritz Todt, a key Reichsminister of Munitions and master builder behind the Siegfried Line, was killed in an airplane accident on the Eastern front. He was 50 years old and portrayed by German press as a pivotal figure in overseeing military tasks in the East.
Dr. B. F. Austin state health officer told the 1942 Alabama public health conference in Montgomery that those in charge of the nation’s health must forget working hours and contribute their time both day and night where necessary to build continual strength.
Survivors of the China Arrow say a single Axis submarine sank three American ships off the Atlantic coast within 36 hours. The 8403 ton China Arrow was torpedoed shelled and set afire 100 miles off the coast. The crew of 37 was saved after 56 hours adrift in open boats. Her sister ship India Arrow sank Wednesday and San Gil Tuesday in nearby waters. In all three attacks the raider delayed shelling until crews abandoned ship.
Dewitt Mackenzie analyzes the Singapore campaign as the Japanese strike from the northwest coast and push eastward in heavy fighting. He notes the strong defenders, including Australians, and emphasizes air power's growing strategic importance in the broader war.
Singapore braces for heavy air battles as Japanese swarms threaten defense. British reinforcements, including fighting planes, are seen as crucial to counter Nipponese air power after a 24 hour artillery and aerial assault. Palau Ubin was briefly occupied to mislead the defense.
The Dies committee says a Japanese fifth column awaits Tokyo orders to strike the Pacific coast and urges uprooting and internment inland. It cites Shinto propaganda outlets and espionage by Japanese aliens and citizens, noting past Pearl Harbor era tactics near vital defense sites.
A massive fire in Philadelphia caused more than 1 million dollars in damage damaging 4 buildings and 13 more. About 200 people were treated and 11 admitted to hospitals including a firefighter with serious injuries. The blaze began in the Acme Furniture warehouse after an explosion and left 50 families homeless.
The draft board announced registration for men aged twenty to forty five who had not previously registered, specifying February 14 and 16. Sam Wheat is named county coordinator. Registrants should bring social security cards. hours are 7 am to 9 pm wartime. Registration sites include Albany and Decatur city halls, armory, courthouse, Trinity, Priceville, Austinville, and many schools plus shops in Hartselle and Falkville.
Michael Wimberley 62 died from a heart attack Sunday at his home 908 Church Street. He worked 37 years with Southern Railway, mainly in the ticket office at Union Station. Funeral Tuesday morning will proceed to Stevenson for services at 2 pm at his brother W. C. Wimberley’s home, with interment at Wimberley cemetery. Surviving: widow, Al Latta of Hollywood, five sisters, two brothers, and other relatives.
Sir Stafford Cripps told Bristol audiences that a victorious United Nations could leave the Soviet Union as the strongest European power and likely ruling Berlin after the war. He praised some Communist policies but urged Western reconstruction participation and noted Russia’s own immense postwar tasks. He repeated his view that Germany’s defeat within a year hinges on American and British aid to the Russians.
The annual farmers conference for Lawrence and Morgan counties will be held at Tennessee Valley High School Hillsboro on February 11 and Morgan County Training School Hartselle on February 12. Led by Negro county agent T. W. Bridges the theme is Victory with talks on food production conservation of farm implements and dietary health. A large crowd is anticipated.
Tokyo and London reports say Japanese forces began a sea and air assault on Singapore Island. Vipers and enemy troops moved toward British positions near the Johore Bahru causeway and captured the gah airport about 10 miles northwest of Singapore city.
Reports state Japanese forces hold a 10 mile front on a crucial fortress isle, with paratroopers and tanks across to reinforce beachheads as battles rage around Singapore Batavia and Java. Allies defend in hope of delaying Japanese advance and preserving Singapore as a base for counteroffensive.
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