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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jun 17, 1943
Page
1
Outook calls for continued warm weather this afternoon and tonight with scattered thundershowers in southern portions. Tennessee River level at 20.55 feet, high 99, low 74. Cotton prices posted: strict mid 71.25, middling 21.05, strict low 19.35, low 16.55.
In a major Pacific air battle over Guadalcanal American planes shot down 77 Japanese aircraft while losing six of their own. Navy released No. 415 noting 32 bombers and 45 Zero fighters downed with six U S planes missing. The victory marked a high enemy loss in the Solomons.
Bern reports Ambassador Behir of Turkey recalled to Ankara from Vichy in protest of Gestapo embassy restrictions. Nazis refuse visa for Erkin to return via Switzerland but grant passage through Germany. source says he may already be en route to Turkey.
British armadas pounded Cologne and other German targets before dawn while RAF fighters attacked transport hubs in Nazi-occupied Holland and Belgium. By daylight Allied air forces maintained the continuous offensive across the Western Front.
In Algiers today a 80 minute session led by Gen. Henri Giraud produced an agreement on procedure and collective responsibility among thirteen members of the French National Liberation Committee. Rene Massigli said foreign governments recognized the committee as provisional government of the French empire. The gathering included the seven original members and six ministerial commissioners. Observers view the full membership summons as a De Gaulle victory despite his week of nonattendance.
Across the English Channel RAF forces destroyed six Axis fighters at the cost of one RAF aircraft. Fourteen RAF bombers and one fighter were listed as missing after the night’s operations. In the Mediterranean Allied long range fighters attacked from bases.
London reports heavy RAF raids on Cologne and other Rhineland targets last night with transports and other sites hit in Holland and Belgium. Fourteen bombers and one fighter missing after operations. last major raid targeted Oberhausen near Essen, with prior strikes on Rhineland and Ruhr targets.
The Alabama House voted 70 to 2 to amend the constitution and raise the sales tax from 2 to 3 percent to fund a $30 old age pension. The plan would yield about $7 million extra revenue and be matched by federal funds, with a statewide vote required to approve.
The Mary Lou Dancy Chapter No 320 Order of Eastern Star banquet is set for Friday evening at 6 46. An earlier notice misstated the day as Thursday and is corrected here with the proper date and time.
The article notes Turkey abandoning a diplomatic fence to back the United Nations, calling the move a body blow to Axis and Allied aims. It mentions Turkey not protesting the Syrian border closure, which shields troop movements, and comments on American war material and influence in India as a growing offensive power.
Georgia and Louisiana Democratic leaders side with withholding national party funds citing opposition to Republicans and Willkie supporters. South Carolina officials deny reports of a fundraising revolt while Florida Alabama and other states plan to raise money as usual. Alabama reports a $15000 check sent to party HQ. Georgia treasury is nearly empty.
A Justice Department official labeled the Navy Standard Oil Elk Hills pact illegal and invalid, citing a 1938 conservation act. Norman Littell told House Public Lands that the contract drafts for land use and oil withdrawal conflict with federal policy, with President Roosevelt to decide on cancellation after Byrnes receives the report. The committee postponed further action to allow executive review.
The Decatur leaders discuss forming a benevolent society hospital and city county take over. The joint committee from the city county and Chamber of Commerce has progressed measures. The Town Hall Meeting at Lyons hotel Friday 7 30 pm will cover these items and progress to date.
King George VI toured Mediterranean fleet units with American officers in North Africa. He spoke with war correspondents, reviewed crews aboard two ships, and placed a wreath at an American cemetery. Cooks led by Frasier Woodward prepared a luncheon praised by the King.
Col. Sidney C. Mason commanding state troops said Beaumont’s Negro section was “literally stomped into the ground” amid race disturbances triggered by two rape cases. About 2400 peace officers guarded the city as rioting left one white man and one Black man dead, 20 homes burned, a beer parlor wrecked, and numerous arrests made for after-hours business.
Coroner Gip M. Evans said James Hargrove aged 18, a Black man, drowned yesterday in Ketona Lake near Birmingham. Police recovered several unidentified items from the lake.
Decatur hosts Coast Guard personnel in white uniforms and black neckerchiefs, part of a wartime security and rescue role. The article recalls Guadalcanal and Casablanca landings and notes Semper Paratus,Always Ready, as locals explain why sailors stay ashore to protect river and coastal areas during the war.
Secretary of War Stimson said Allied raids on Wilhelmshaven Bremen Kiel and Pantelleria cost enemy heavy industrial damage and air losses. He reported 86 to possibly 106 German fighters destroyed by US Britain planes and 24 Flying Fortresses lost in Kiel Bremen actions with substantial Axis prisoners taken at Pantelleria and Lampedusa.
A holiday plan is abandoned as organizers cannot secure sufficient military personnel to proceed. The decision pauses events and reflects broader staffing constraints impacting scheduled activities.
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