This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 19 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 19, 1944
Page
1
Partly cloudy tonight and Saturday with scattered thundershowers and little temperature change. Max 86 min 68. Cotton prices posted locally. Movie listings include Song Of Russia True To Life Mojave Firebrand. Local church and civic notices cover fellowships, sermons, furloughs, visits, and upcoming park plans.
Allied air forces resumed a major offensive with up to 1,500 planes striking Berlin and Brunswick targets. The raid, led by U S strategic air forces and RAF support, disrupted German defenses as Mosquitos and Typhoons joined heavy bombers in northern France and over the continent.
Rubber Director Bradley Dewey told Senate liquor shortage investigators that a substantial diversion of alcohol from the synthetic rubber program to whisky production is unlikely within a year. He noted alcohol is needed for high octane gasoline and aviation fuel, calling military aviation gasoline demand insatiable. He projected rubber alcohol needs of 365 million gallons for the year could drop 15 to 20 million by August or September if petroleum plants keep to schedules.
Cyril Bewley a 40 year old war correspondent for Kemsley papers in England and Roderick MacDonald 32 a correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The London News Chronicle were killed on the Italian front. Bewley moved into a mine field after leaving his jeep to take cover and his Australian colleague died alongside him.
The wartime column argues Allied success in Italy will influence neutrals, especially Sweden, which trades with Germany in ball bearings and essential imports. It notes Stockholm's stance under pressure from the Big Three, Sweden’s pro Allied sentiment, and the risk of German retaliation if neutrality ends.
The Southern Baptist convention closed in Atlanta with plans for educational programs for Negro pastors, local option against liquor near military bases, and criticism of federal tax trends on church gifts. A committee warned of Catholic inroads, while a proposal urged $5,000 yearly for 13 Negro Baptist colleges. Governor J. M. Broughton urged faith and liberty. Atlanta again named for the 1945 centennial meet. Attendance reached 4,301 official messengers.
London reports Ankara broadcast said several Pan-Turkish leaders were arrested after raids uncovered plans for a nationwide organization to overthrow Turkey's current government. Martial law imposed in Istanbul.
President Roosevelt nominates Ambrose O Connell executive vice chairman of the democratic national committee to be a judge of the court of customs and patent appeals He will succeed Irvin Lenroot who resigned from the post May 19 period President Roosevelt announced the nomination in Washington
The G I Bill of Rights moves to a Senate–House conference to resolve differences after an unanimous house endorsement. The measure would cost 3 to 6.5 billion dollars and cover hospitalization unemployment education job aids and government backed loans for veterans serving since 1940. A 387 to 0 house vote followed a week of debate. the Senate had approved a different version earlier. The conferees must reconcile remaining disparities before final enactment.
General Manager Paul Florence announced the outright release of second baseman Charley Anderson, a former University of Georgia athlete, in Birmingham Alabama.
British and German reports indicate a major Red Army offensive near the Russian front synchronized with a western invasion. German claims describe rail strikes at Rowne Sarny and Sholbunovo and massed airborne units along the European coast. The Daily Mail cites airlift capacity and glider plans as possible channels for a counter invasion while Moscow sources note tightened exit controls on Germans near borders.
A WW II pilot diary from an England base describes dawn breaking at 12 000 feet as B 26 bombers pass markers and runway lights below. Red Dog Arnold sits in co pilots seat while Chief Collins flies. the formation heads toward the target on a non mission note.
Wartime memoir excerpt describes a dawn mission over England. Ernie climbs into the bomber nose with Red Dog the bombardier, views green countryside and empty roads below, then returns to the co pilots seat as daylight and calm skies unfold.
Allied offensives seize Wakde in Dutch New Guinea and push toward Myitkyina in Burma. Forces drive on Wakde air base while MacArthur plans air routes to Palau and Philippines. Stilwell’s troops advance near Myitkyina as Chinese columns push to connect Ledo and Burma roads. Wake Island attacked as Pacific pressure mounts.
Tokyo radio claimed Soerabaja in the Netherlands East Indies was raided twice by Allied bombers on May 17 and 18. The broadcast said Allied naval and air task forces from India, aided by U S Pacific forces, carried out the strikes with about 50 bombers and fighters coming from the Indian Ocean.
Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden disclosed that 47 RAF officers were shot by Germans after a mass escape from a Dresden area prison camp on March 25. Seventy six took part in the break with 15 captured alive and 14 at large. some were shot resisting arrest or during a later escape attempt. The event, first of its kind in the war, prompted calls for a full German government report through the protecting power and raised concerns over Allied RAF Dominion forces including the RCAF, RAAF and Poles. Several Battle of Britain heroes were among the dead.
General Arnold declared air attacks against Germany still have not peaked and outlined a 2,300,000 strong air force. He noted uncertain outcomes about destroying Germany’s war will and morale, but expected clearer future results.
Allied forces, including French troops and U S tanks, broke into the Hitler line center near Sant Oliva as German defenses collapsed in a disorderly retreat. The push along the Liri valley and toward Monte Faggero constrains the German position while Cassino's flank remains under pressure.
Jasper Texas May 198– Representative Martin Dies who will not seek reelection says he will publish a documented denunciation of the New Deal. He plans to place the disclosures on editors’ desks between June 1 and 15, claiming the revelations will surpass prior disclosures by his committee on un American activities.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.