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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Oct 19, 1944
Page
1
Weather outlook notes partly cloudy regions with showers in the southeast and cooler northward. Reports include church events, graduations, military moves, local hospitalizations, births, legal notices, and community updates from Decatur and surrounding areas.
British Tommies and American armor pushed German forces back toward Venlo on the Maas as Allied operations near Aachen and Breskens pressed from the Schelde pocket. Canadian troops neared Breskens while U S troops advanced northeast of Aachen as Berlin reported a intensified East Prussia push.
U S heavy bombers with 1700 fighters attacked Mainz Ludwigshafen and Mannheim in Southwest Germany targeting rail yards war industries including armored vehicle works ordnance oil depots and chemical plants. Mannheim endured Mosquito raids last night while Hannover was hit by other wooden craft.
Berlin reports Dempsey massing forces to smash the Maas bridgehead and straighten the line along the Dutch border for an Allied river crossing. The German breakout along the West bank falters as troops fall back toward Venlo amid Allied pressure.
The War Today notes Japan asserts the Philippines recapture is underway though subject to accuracy. MacArthur is poised to fulfill his promise to return as Leyte Gulf actions unfold, with Admiral Halsey’s fleet buildup and air cover forming a decisive striking force against Japanese positions.
Economists Kemmerer and Beattie report that U S soldiers in Italy are paid in the largest lire denominations available to minimize transport costs. A typical $46.50 pay uses four 1 000 lire notes, one 500, one 100 and one 50, a system described as inviting high rolling in games.
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary C. Strickland 71 who died at home after a five week illness will be held Friday at two oclock at Wren with Rev J D Montgomery officiating. Interment in Montgomery cemetery. Survived by six sons and three daughters with spouses and grandchildren.
Funeral services set for Preston Watson a 67 year old prominent Lacey's Spring farmer. Authorities determined a bull attacked and killed him after he left home to tend cattle and repair a fence. His body was found in a ditch near the pasture with injuries indicating the bull attack.
Rep. W. C. Beebe outlines changes in committee memberships after a gubernatorial conference. Key shifts include Lowe for Johnson on State County and Municipal Government, McCurdy for Rains, Coburn for Pool, Smyer moving to Appropriations, and Redd moving to Agriculture. Norman may become House speaker as Norman succeeds Miller. interim committees to discuss next steps.
In Nashville, three hours after four men escaped from the criminal division of the central state hospital, one was recaptured. Raymond Stone, 41, is among the escapees, with others still at large tied to a federal theft charge. Hospital superintendent Dr. L. S. Love provided the update.
National Geographic Society experts named Lay-tay discuss two new points in the Philippines tied to enemy actions. The briefing outlines local impacts and regional assessments, citing geopolitical implications and expert observations.
A tropical hurricane of 100 mph lashed central Florida sweeping from Cuba via Key West into the Tampa Bay area. It prompted hurricane warnings from Daytona Beach to Cape Hatteras and caused property damage and fears for crops, with Cuba reporting deaths and vessels sunk.
Hundreds of U S Navy and Army aircraft from Florida stations worked inland to Courtland Army air base for protection as the hurricane approached. The fighters bombers transports and other planes will remain at Courtland until the storm subsides officials said.
The hurricane ripped across Cuba into the gulf leaving Key West with no major damage while Bradenton and Sarasota residents moved inland. More than twenty families sought refuge in schools and churches as extra circus keepers were posted in Sarasota to guard elephants. Havana suffered extensive damage with losses in the hundreds of thousands and Cuban camps received aid at the University of Havana.
A missing Navy tug with 31 men aboard was accounted for near Key West after a grounding. The vessel ran aground in rough seas, with all crew reported safe and uninjured as search efforts continued.
AP reports Japanese radio commentators struggled to reconcile claims of a great Formosa naval victory with word of an imminent invasion of the Philippines. They prepared to celebrate October 20 while noting American ships were claimed sunk and the invasion delayed two months before the high command said it began a day later.
The Alabama War Chest United Charities drive stands at about 50 percent noon today with $21,330.52 raised toward a $41,500 goal. Co-Chairman James L. Rankin and Judge James H. Crow Jr. report progress, citing strong Decatur participation and urging continued soliciting to meet the remaining $15,000.
A dispute that shut Sydney papers for two weeks ended today. Two evening papers will resume tomorrow and two morning papers on Saturday after employees accepted a settlement terms set at a compulsory conference.
Decatur Planning Board will present immediate and postwar aims for public buildings, services, and riverfront use to the City Council within a month. The three year board review notes ongoing studies on parking, street renaming, house numbering, and riverfront development, with a $3 million postwar program contingent on public taxation and federal aid.
The Chicago Herald-American poll over six weeks drew 300000 ballots. Nylon hosiery led 24200 voters as wartime item most desired, girdles rose to second with 21800, and shoes ranked third among more than 50 items.
Berlin radios report Russian forces have penetrated deep into East Prussia with evacuations in the retreating town of Insterburg near Eydtkuhnen. The front widened to 45 miles as tanks and infantry push toward Suwalki amid coordinated actions in the Baltic region and southern Carpathians.
Domei news agency said United States forces began a reinvasion of the Philippines with Pacific fleet support and aircraft. Tokyo reported the carrier task force 58 was not taking part, while Japanese forces claimed landings and naval bombardment near Leyte Gulf.
The gulf site near Manila and Suluan Island offers an eastern entrance to the gulf about 415 air miles from Manila. With a maximum elevation of 125 feet it could host landing strips for bombers targeting Luzon or Leyte. Leyte lies 300 miles southeast of Manila and rises to 1 400 feet along its coasts.
Reports from Manila say Allied naval and air forces under Nimitz and MacArthur have intensified raids toward the Philippines, with heavy losses claimed by Japanese sources. No official confirmation of an invasion exists, while raids extend over a thousand miles around the archipelago.
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