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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jul 06, 1944
Page
1
The forecast shows considerable cloudiness this afternoon tonight and Friday with scattered showers and local thunderstorms. Local temps reach 86 with 62 low and a trace of rain. Community notices cover military family updates, church revival plans, library book deliveries, school staff changes, and resident travel in the Hartselle and Morgan County area.
Soviet forces press toward Pinsk and Brest Litovsk as Cherniakhovsky’s Third White Russian army nears Wilno, with Bagramian’s First Baltic army advancing from the southeast. Stormoviks and air support hammer German positions, signaling a wide push toward Lithuania, Latvia, and key rail hubs.
About 1,000 U.S. heavy bombers hit Northwest Germany and French targets while medium and light bombers attacked rail lines to Cherbourg. RAF bombed Dijon and Ruhr areas as Mosquitos struck a synthetic oil plant. Royal Air Force Lancasters bombed Dijon as German transport shifted to alternate routes.
The piece analyzes the Nazi flying robot bombs used against London and British cities. It notes their terror aims and potential military value while arguing they will not break British resolve, despite Hitler’s propaganda. It cites casualties and hospitalizations and predicts Germany may need new tactics if morale holds.
Morgan County struggles to meet the fifth war loan quota of 1 279 000 with Series E bonds short by 230 000, despite 24 750 sold Wednesday. A Bonds show at Benson Field aims to boost E bond sales to 750 000 with admission tickets tied to each bond. a Camp Sibert chemical warfare unit will perform, featuring national entertainers.
Major W. O. Riley, commanding officer of the 2156th AAF base unit at Southern Airways, receives orders from Eastern Flying Training Command transferring him to the base flying school at Bush Field Augusta Georgia. He has led Southern Airways since August 1943 and previously commanded at Turner Field. The post notes improvements in flying training and safety and extends best wishes to Riley as he moves to his new assignment.
Mrs. Ann Ralston James widow of Frank James and sister to Jesse James died at 91 in Excelsior Springs Missouri after years of poor health and blindness. She held to the vow that the true story of the James brothers would die with her.
Lieut. Beauford Swancutt, 31, condemned by a 12 member general court martial for the murders of his sweetheart Dorothy Douglas and her friend Lourdine Livermore, killed himself with a bed sheet at Letterman hospital in San Francisco. Swancutt had argued mental blackout before the shootings and was deemed sane by the court after testimony from both sides.
Washington reports the War Department plans to take over leading resort hotels to give returning troops a rest. Senator McClellan said 20 000 troops would be housed every two weeks for fortnightly sojourns with facilities able to care for about 16 000 men.
The Decatur city council and Municipal Utilities Board announce reduced electric rates effective after July 5, slashing residential bills about 25 percent and commercial charges 20 percent while large users drop 8 percent. The plan aims to return fiscally to customers via expanded service rather than dividends, with annual savings of about 70 thousand dollars and an overall revenue drop near 50 percent.
Ernie Pyle writes from Normandy describing a nocturnal artillery barrage as the gun crew uses remote control to aim a battery. The scene covers tense anticipation, automatic firing, muzzle blasts, dense smoke, and rapid reloading under wartime darkness.
San Francisco July 6. About 200 to 250 nudists from 27 California towns flocked to Sun-O-Ma in Sonoma County as OPA agents Forsyth and Franchi concluded a six day inquiry into possible violations of gasoline ration rules. The action also sought explanations for unregistered rental area status.
Allied reports say Indian troops reach Umbertide in the upper Tiber valley threatening the Florence road. Fifth Army advance stalls along the Italian West coast as German artillery harasses coastal units and Rosignano fights under heavy fire near Monte Catini.
Allied forces drive toward final suppression of Japanese on Saipan and Noemfoor as 1,500 miles from Tokyo. Marines and infantry tighten trap while Tokyo and Berlin radios report raids and fear an American Bonin landing.
Prime Minister Churchill disclosed in the House of Commons that flying bombs have killed about 2,752 people and wounded 8,000 since three weeks of raids began. He noted over 10,000 casualties in London, announced a monthly casualty list, and outlined a new defense committee and use of shelters while stressing Normandy offensive priorities. The German radio claimed Churchill failed to minimize the impact of the V-1 and noted countermeasures, and Churchill praised Allied and American support.
Allied and German forces clash as Lt Gen Omar Bradley’s troops push toward La Haye Du Puits in Normandy. American advances include Glatigny, Scorman, and La Butte while La Haye suffers street fighting and railway loss. Normandy 1,313 square miles liberated. Caen area holds Carpiquet amid fierce defense. French interior troops praised for aid.
Acting Secretary of War Patterson said the American and British forces in Europe are building fire power four times greater than Germany’s. He defined fire power as all ammunition including small arms, grenades, mortars, artillery, bombs and rockets and warned it determines victory. He cautioned Pacific figures should be equally strong and recalled shortages at Bataan.
A special communiqué reports large scale engagements against regular German units. Areas liberated include Verecors southwest of the Swiss border and parts of Gers Ain Ardeche Doubs and Ardeche. It notes 24 train derailments two tunnels destroyed and 150 Germans killed with 15 prisoners in a single engagement.
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