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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jul 03, 1944
Page
1
Weather outlook shows clouds and scattered showers across the state with a high near 92 and a low around 71. Local daily life includes banking holidays and war service updates with wounded soldiers, church notices, and community events at the Memorial Drive Church of Christ and other venues.
Allied dispatches report the American first army pushing 40 miles along the Cherbourg peninsula in a dawn to dawn offensive. Forces captured St Jores and advanced toward St Sauveur Le Vicomte and St Lo amid artillery support and stubborn German resistance, as Rommel regrouped near Caen and preparations mounted for further thrusts.
The Daily reported a rumor a Decatur Transit driver was held up and robbed by a passenger from the union station. Police chief Whitmire denied any file on the incident and said he'd investigate. The cab office later said money had been returned with no further details. W. J. Williams could not be reached.
Associated Press reports MacArthur’s forces hit Noemfoor Island in New Guinea with heavy air bombardment and PT boat shelling, signaling a possible jump toward the Philippines or a westward advance. The operation followed crucial battles for Saipan and Hengyang as Japanese losses mount and Garapan endures intense shelling.
French troops and American artillery and tanks seized Siena as German defenses collapsed after more than a week of heavy combat. Crowds celebrated with silk flags and a Palio festival while bomb near the cathedral and street battles caused casualties and vehicle losses. Allied advances continued across central Italy with Osimo and Cecina also falling to Allied forces.
The column argues Allied gains in Europe show Hitler on his last mile yet warns that home-front effort must not waver. It credits Soviet and Allied offensives including breakthroughs near Minsk and the moving push toward Warsaw and Berlin, noting Germany lacks reserves to sustain three fronts.
Soviet tanks and cavalry moved within 10 miles of Minsk and 65 miles from Wilno in a major push described by Moscow. German rail escapes toward Wilno and Brest Litovsk were cut as Red Army forces bypassed Minsk and fought heavy battles around the city with air support growing daily.
Soviet columns cut the Minsk to Wilno line and the Minsk to Brest Litovsk route, severing two main escape rails. Red forces claimed 7,000 German dead and over 900 towns captured as they pushed toward Minsk andPoland and threatened areas near Dvinsk and Daugavpils.
From 500 to 750 Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the Eighth Air Force, operating from England, bombed Nazi oil storages and refineries and transport facilities in Romania Hungary and Yugoslavia. A shell plant near Belgrade reported a smoke column 18,000 feet high as part of the raid.
Allied and German reports describe Italian based American bombers striking Budapest area for a second day. Bad weather limits sorties to about 700 over the weekend while RAF heavy forces target rail yards and oil refineries near Budapest and western Hungary.
The War Department announced 21 Army Navy E production awards including Goodyear Decatur Mills in Decatur Alabama for exemplary wartime manufacturing.
Bond office reports fifth war bond drive progress with $290,122.50 in bonds sold, up $15,760.25 from yesterday. Other bonds total $1,325,130.50, rising $7,111. Leaders expect Camp Libert show Friday to push the total over the top, with admission by bond purchases only.
Rotary started its year with James Rankin as president at noon today in the Cornelian hotel. Pvt. Lewis Terry of Austinville, wounded in Italy, was introduced along with Chief Eng. E. B. Harris and Lt. Chandler Rozier. A board meeting was announced for 7 15 tonight and the club will support the bond sale at Benson Field Friday. Rankin appointed committees for the year and unveiled a new Work Pile committee to aid postwar community planning.
Joseph Leonidas Mote, born 1874, writes from Page Oklahoma to Decatur Daily asking for help locating family. He mentions living with Horatio Glass and his daughter Josephine who married a Clark, left Decatur in 1907, worked in an ice plant for Mr McBride, and now requests assistance in finding relatives. He is about to turn 70 on August 28.
Charles Alldredge information director for the office of the coordinator of fisheries is named to the additional post of assistant information director in the interior department effective July 1 He will supervise public relations for the U S geological survey fish and wildlife service division of islands and territories and division of power His home town is Montgomery Alabama
Sam P. Burns former Talladega county sheriff died at his home yesterday. Funeral services are set for today. A World War I veteran he is survived by his widow two children and two sisters.
Ernie Pyle reports from Normandy about an ack ack crew enjoying high morale after three weeks of combat. He details roles from dial operators to shell handlers, noting the 13 men and the 90 millimeter guns that defend the beachhead.
The four anti aircraft guns of this battery are dug in a small open field about 50 yards apart. Gunners sleep in pup tents or under half tracks hidden by trees and camouflage nets. They work all night and sleep by day with half the men resting while the other half labors to keep the guns in good shape. They avoid foxholes as danger comes at night and stay in one place beyond enemy artillery range.
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