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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jun 09, 1944
Page
2
In Germany Cpl. Thurman Johnson, a prisoner of war, writes May 1 1944 letter to his parents in Hartselle Alabama saying he is well and in good health. He notes receiving a prior letter from January 12 and hopes to spend his next birthday at home.
Chinese forces in Northern Burma push toward Tengchung and Lungling as they seize Tenglungchiao cutting enemy lines. American Liberator bombers strike a Japanese heavy cruiser near Waigeo island, aiding the push toward Mokmer airfield in New Guinea.
Funeral services for O. T. Fuqua 72 who died Wednesday at his Demopolis home will be held today at four o'clock in Rogersville Methodist Church. He is survived by a son Joe Fuqua a daughter Mrs. Paul Rowe a daughter Mrs. Price Vaughan nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. Pallbearers are Zellie Brown Buford Cox Finley Fuqua Robert Gray William Weatherford and James Gilchrist with interment at Weaver Cemetery Drinkard directing.
About 40,000 Canadian women are now in uniform as part of the mobilization effort. The update highlights a significant expansion of roles for women in service and underscores government intent to bolster military manpower.
New York cotton markets slipped as war developments and price control talks curbed activity. July rose 15 to 20 cents per bale in a quiet session with July at 21.09 and Oct 20.37. Nashville cattle and hogs showed mixed trading with weak low grades, firmness in higher grades, and calves steady at 15.00-16.00. Sheep markets edged higher with averages above 80 pounds while lighter grades fell.
Allied progress reported across Normandy with Berniers Sur Mer and Caen seeing activity. American and Allied forces push from the landing area toward Cherbourg and Baylognes while ground fighting continues near Carentan and Caen.
Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley has landed in France and directs the American advance below Cherbourg. German reports say Cherbourg area within 18 miles and Ste. Mere Eglise captured. Bradley’s forces also hold Formigny, 20 miles southeast of Ste. Mere Eglise on the Caen Carentan road.
An official notice reports 10 German divisions in action in Normandy while Axis broadcasts claim 15 to 20 Allied divisions landed. German tanks clash from Caen to Carentan as Bayeux and Cherbourg roads become key battlegrounds with scarce progress reports from Allied HQ.
Daniel De Luce reports Fifth Army units north of Rome bombarding scattered German rear guards around Tarquinia. He notes no solid defense line in the coastal hills, likened to California, as enemy columns remain elusive despite Allied hopes for annihilation of the Italian German force.
Reconnaissance shows a prior strike dropped a six ton factory buster bomb on a railroad near the Saumur rail junction about 100 miles southeast of the battle area. The blast obstructs the movement of German reinforcements from Col Gen Blaskowitz across southern France.
Brig. Gen. James Hodges announced that former movie star Jim Stewart has been promoted from major to lieutenant colonel at a U. S. Liberator station in England. The promotion elevates Stewart within the command structure of a heavy bombardment division.
Allied and German forces clash along the Cherbourg peninsula with weather hampering air operations. Allied forces press toward Caen and Bayeux while claims of German armor battles and reinforcements unfold. Munro reports Canadian infantry and tanks advancing through wooded farmland capturing several towns. Caen remains fiercely contested as reserves pour in.
German high command admits Allied bridgehead strength increased west of Bayeux and a drive toward St. Lo from Bayeux, with losses claimed by Germans. They report Allied gains near Ste. Mere Eglise and Valognes and say Caen counterattacks are in heavy fighting southeast of Bayeux. One Allied cruiser and one destroyer sunk by E boats.
Ninth Air Force unit in England awards Good Conduct Medal to Technical Sergeant George E. Hutson of Decatur Alabama. Overseas assignments, local births, hospital reports, legal notes, and community greetings follow with multiple Decatur area names and nearby towns.
An eyewitness account recalls the landing at the Normandy coast. German defenses included 88 mm guns in reinforced concrete blocks and underwater barriers while snipers harassed Allied troops at night. Lt. Carl W. Oelze and Pvt. Vincent Cove are highlighted among soldiers who aided recovery and road making under heavy fire.
A confrontation near the chateau ends with Nazis fleeing toward the woods opposite as sniper fire continues. A shouting figure exclaims triumph and greets a American soldier with taunting words.
The German high command said British Lt. Col. Tom Churchill, described as commandant of Lussino in the Adriatic, had been captured. Berlin named him a nephew of the British Prime Minister. Major Randolph Churchill, son of the Prime Minister, was in Yugoslavia but last reported on the mainland. London denied knowledge of Tom Churchill. Last March German radio cited British commandos landing on Lussino and fighting under a British general named Churchill.
In wartime insight a columnist argues the invasion aims at Cherbourg with Allies likely to strike from multiple British Isles fleets. He notes Rommel’s uncertainty and Hitler's gamble for a negotiated peace before unconditional surrender, highlighting urgency and risk in the opening invasion days.
Crown Prince Umberto acting as lieutenant general of the realm asked Antonio Bonomi to form a new Italian government succeeding Badoglio after meetings with political leaders. The prince received royal prerogatives Monday when King Vittorio Emanuele III abdicated.
American fighter pilots in the Gilbert Islands are receiving instruction in high altitude flying from Charles A. Lindbergh, conveyed to them via a Ford Motor Co. official.
Chief Signalman Joseph W. Smith of Spring Lake New Jersey was among the first Navy beach battalions to land. He survived a deadly approach while comrades in front and behind him were killed. Seaman Isaac Edlin of Philadelphia and Coxswain Anim Isbir of McKeesport were with him when a bullet damaged Isbir's entrenchment tool handle.
Atlanta Negro leaders condemned white Democratic barriers to voting in the July 4 primary and pledged to organize for participation. The Citizens Democratic Club of Fulton County urged full party rights and prepared a legal challenge to secure Negro voters’ ballots.
President Roosevelt announced that 1,000 European war refugees will be brought to the United States and housed at an unused military installation at Fort Ontario near Oswego New York. The figure represents the total number of refugees now destined for the country.
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