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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 15, 1944
Page
1
The Senate defeated a cloture petition 36 to 44 delaying debate on the anti poll tax bill. With cloture shelved, leaders plan to decide whether to push the measure or abandon efforts amid Southern filibuster opposition.
Winston Powell of Daily was named as one of the hundred judges chosen from across the country to select the best material in Reader's Digest May issue. Each judge will receive a four month free subscription from the magazine.
At the Eighth Evacuation Hospital Fifth Army front in Italy a blood plasma program saves wounded from shock. Litter bearers move patients into crowded wards as shells fall, with donors from Ohio and Decatur among those described.
Dan Johnson was wounded with two bullets in Decatur after an argument with his neighbor Jerry French near West Church Street. French shot at Johnson three times as Johnson allegedly rushed with a butcher knife. Johnson was hospitalized and a warrant for assault with intent to murder was filed, hearing set for May 22.
The Southeastern Casting Co. plant near downtown Anniston Ala was destroyed by fire with a loss around 50000. Firemen fought two hours, hampered by low water pressure. No injuries reported. The firm, in its third year, employed about 75 workers and produced roughly 100000 in war contracts.
In London’s West End the Willow Run Army mess at Grosvenor House serves up to 6000 meals daily to officers and transient staff. The two story cafeteria style dining room operates with strict rules and a focus on minimizing waste, as officers face warnings for leaving food on trays.
Moscow reports Russian armies massing for a major summer drive on the Eastern front. Bombing raids hit Brest Litovsk and Polotsk while Narva saw attacks as Yak fighter production accelerates. Fresh units from the Crimea join Yeremenko's maritime army as front preparations intensify toward a synchronized Allied-Europe invasion plan.
In Boat Alabama on May 15 led by Jerry Roden, farmers organized sub-routes to collect more produce for steady truck delivery from the cheese and egg grading and storage plant, improving supply to the region.
In Selma Alabama a burglary at a drug firm was foiled by an unseen aid from a mythical stork. Pharmacist E G Chism, rushing his wife to the hospital for the birth of their son, discovered the open rear door and dynamite tools left by the would be burglar. Police called the break in highly professional and timed to completion.
American Fortresses and Liberators pounded German invasion defenses in Pas de Calais for the 31st day of the aerial offensive. Eighteenth air force Mustangs protected the raid. one Mustang reported missing. British raids on Bristol and Cologne accompanied the operation as Allied airmen pressed round the clock attacks on Fortress Europe.
London reports German broadcasts concede a possible penetration of West Wall defenses when invasion begins. Berlin commentators warn fighting spread beyond Atlantic wall, with Germany ready to test its limits. Underground briefings claim reinforcements for airborne troops and air transport to aid cut off troops as Hitler’s rail network is targeted. Tojo echoes confidence as invasion looms and Allied radio urges occupied peoples to evacuate key rail and industrial sites.
Dr John C Cowell pastor of Central Baptist church since 1937 died suddenly at his home of heart disease. Funeral arrangements to be announced. He preached two services Sunday and had been in an evangelistic effort in Birmingham recently. Burial expected at Fayetteville North Carolina.
The Alabama flag won by war bond is to be presented to Jack Langhorne district manager in Huntsville at 11:00 A M on May 18 in Montgomery. Robert W Coyne national field director will present. Langhorne will pass the banner to General George Cleere to keep for Alabama service men. Emblems honor districts Jackson Limestone Madison Marshall Morgan.
American support through Y Force aids Chiang Kai-shek as Chinese troops cross the Salween near the Burma border using American pneumatic rafts. Brig. Gen. Frank Dorn’s unit trains and supplies arms and tactics for a major offensive aimed at breaking the blockade and linking Burma and Ledo roads, signaling stronger Allied cooperation.
The piece discusses the Allied invasion of Western Europe, predicting a brutal, pivotal battle and pondering how soon Germany might surrender. It notes Nazi resistance, the potential for internal upheaval in Germany, and the belief that Hitler could fall once invasion success is clear.
Allied headquarters report France and American forces advancing on the Fifth Army front in southern Italy. Ausonia fell. Santa Maria Infante and San Pietro were captured, with gains toward Spigno and the Liri valley. Bridgeheads deepened on the Rapido and Liri rivers. over 2,000 prisoners taken and heavy casualties inflicted.
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