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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 18, 1944
Page
1
Weather outlook partly cloudy with scattered afternoon showers and a small cooling trend in the south section. Local temperatures reached a high of 85 and a low of 64. Reports note cinema attractions at the Princess and Capital theaters, military promotions and local church activities, plus tax distributions for May 1 through 16 and community notices from Decatur and nearby towns.
Chinese and American forces report successful operations in Burma and Honan Heian as they destroy Japanese trucks armored cars and tanks near Loyang and seize Myitkyina airfield Befor the siege of Myitkyina city begins. Allied commanders say the moves aim to link the Ledo road with Burma roads and cut Japanese supply lines. Brig Gen Merrill’s Marauders took part in the surprise strike.
Soviet long range bombers targeted rail hubs in Minsk White Russia Baranowicze and Chelm along Warsaw Kowel line. In Southeast Poland Soviet forces repelled two German counter assaults near Stanisławów with about 500 Germans killed and 150 captured. Berlin claimed Soviet divisions near Grigoripol on the Lower Dnestr were isolated from rear communications.
Nine hundred Americans and Britons exchanged for Germans waited in Barcelona for Gripsholm to unload about 1600 Red Cross mail parcels for American POWs. The ship will stay until Friday and then head to North Africa and the United Kingdom before returning to New York around June 10. Larry Allen AP war correspondent among the Americans exchanged.
The report highlights the Cassino evacuation as a solid Allied victory in Italy and the seizure of Myitkyina air drome in northern Burma. It notes coordinated Allied advances threatening the Gustav line and Adolf Hitler defenses. It also mentions Detroit foremen ending their strike, with Merrill's Marauders aiding the airfield capture and Sul lis driving forces in the northwest.
Alabama Republicans will finalize a 14 member delegation to the national convention in Birmingham. O Vardaman and Johnnie Noojin seek delegate-at-large seats and have declared for Governor Thomas E. Dewey. Vardaman expects the delegation to Chicago to go uninstructed and predicts Dewey will win Alabama votes.
London May 18 Allied reconnaissance photographs have mapped the German West wall along the invasion coast. The series shows camouflaged concrete clusters with big guns, sunken batteries, and underground defenses linked by minefields and barbed wire. High altitude and ground cameras produced a mile by mile view, aiding Eisenhower’s invasion plans.
Secretary of War Stimson warned the public that Nazi propaganda on the forthcoming invasion of Europe is designed only to confuse Allied peoples and impede military operations. He spoke in a press conference outlining the intent behind the deceptive messaging.
The Eighth District Republican Convention in the Hotel Lyons assembly room chose R. L. Sherrill of Hartselle as delegate to the national Republican Convention in Chicago on June 26 and J. W. Holland of Scottsboro as alternate. R. M. Sims of Florence was nominated for presidential elector and the group instructed the delegates to support Thomas E. Dewey. Judge Jerre Murphy of Huntsville presided. Lem A. Dever urged GOP influence and praised the TVA. the convention adjourned for lunch before heading to Birmingham for the state GOP meeting.
Secretary Howell Turner announced campaign expense totals for Alabama races. Senator Lister Hill reported 9538.65 in the senatorial primary while opponent James A. Simpson listed 2175.51. Most candidates filed pre deadline, except J Hubert Farimer in the third district. Other congressional candidates posted varied expenses.
The Southern Federation of Telephone Workers won the NLRB election to represent Southern Bell employees. Balloting split between mail and direct, with eight unions contesting bargaining rights last July.
The Associated Cooperatives executive committee said TVA ammonium nitrate fertilizer costs to farmers are down 10 to 15 dollars per ton since operations began. The statement, signed by E. P. Garrett, claims Canada produced nitrate was $50 to $65 per ton and TVA-Associated Cooperatives bids cut price at five southern points. The group, farmer owned and controlled, has delivered over 160 000 tons at lower per ton costs than brokers.
Funeral services for Miss Eliza Faulkner 71 held Friday at ten in Mutual Service parlors with Rev C L Dobbs officiating. Survived by two foster children George W McVay and Mrs Ira Marion and other relatives. Pallbearers Russell Blizzard Calvin Blizzard Otha Bettingfield Tra Marion Earl Marion George McVay. Interment Liberty Cemetery Lawrence County Mutual Service directing.
The Bureau of Agricultural Economics forecast civilian meat supplies for the last six months of 1944 at 67.5 pounds per person, down from 77.5 pounds in the first half. The drop represents a 10 pound reduction in civilian meat availability.
Joe Henderson of City Electric was burned on hands arms and legs by a live wire at about ten this morning on the Seventh Street power line near Decatur General hospital. He was treated at the Decatur clinic and released. Doctors described his injuries as slight and he plans to return to work tomorrow morning. His escape was nearly miraculous.
The body of 22 year old Val la Matthai, missing from Columbia University since March 20, was recovered in the Hudson River near Yonkers. Acting Westchester Medical Examiner M Huntington ruled drowning but did not autopsy. Identification was made by wristwatch serial number and facial mole. She was daughter of Tata Chemical head John Matthai.
All applicants for canning sugar allotments are reminded that only one half of the spare stamp No 37 allowance may be granted at one time. Original application and attached stamp 37 will file for balance, with remainder to be applied via the original board. Effective May 15, half or 10 pounds available May 15 to July 1, and 10 pounds more from July 1, 1945 to Feb 28. Applicants must sign a statement that the remaining sugar will be for canning per OPA rules.
ERNIE PYLE reports from a B-26 base in England on May 18 that the fast bomber with a two ton load has shed its early “hot” reputation. crews praise its evasive ability against flak and fighters while noting high bombing accuracy and very low losses.
A war diary entry recalls a frigid 2:30 a.m. wake up as Ernie and fellow crew members Chief Collins Red Dog Arnold and others prepared for a B 26 mission. They ate breakfast, donned extra clothing and boarded the aircraft under bright moonlight. The scene captures cold, tense readiness with a large crew awaiting briefing.
Allied troops seized Cassino and Formia near Naples in a double victory. The British Eighth Army took Cassino while American forces captured Formia as the Fifth Army pushed into the Aurunci mountains. The Gustav Line reportedly no longer exists.
Allied command announces British eighth army seized Cassino ruins and the Benedictine monastery while American troops took Formia on the Tyrrhenian coast. Poles seize Monastery Hill as Gustav line collapses. German defenses encircled with heavy casualties to Green Devils.
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