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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Oct 22, 1944
Page
1
Irbimale reports a high of 72 and low of 46 as a cool spell moves across the state. The bulletin notes scattered frost likely Sunday night with a dry, calm pattern and light winds in most areas.
American troops push about one mile toward Duren as German surrender at Aachen is confirmed. Thunderbolt fighters bomb towns along the Aachen to Cologne highway while Canadians with British help advance nine miles near the Schelde estuary to clear Antwerp access. German officer Wilck signs unconditional surrender after initial refusals. fighting continues on other fronts with variable progress.
German commander Gerhard Wilck formally capitulated to American soldiers in Aachen on October 21 1944. He tearfully accepted surrender citing no options but to yield, after motives and troops deserted him. Capt. Seth Botts led the American company in the initial surrender and relocation to headquarters.
Four county drive across Morgan Lawrence Cullman and Limestone reports progress in the Alabama War Chest and Allied Charities campaign. Decatur and Hartselle lead in Morgan with totals toward a combined goal while rural areas lag due to harvest work. Lawrence, Limestone, and Cullman counties show partial attainment with meetings planned to push toward targets.
President Roosevelt in New York urged Congress to empower the U S envoy on the proposed world security body to act without further congressional approval. He likened the envoy to a policeman needing authority to arrest a felon, not a town meeting to issue a warrant. Ball pressed Dewey and Roosevelt on the US vote on the UN security council and troop commitments. Roosevelt appeared in rain in New York, attacking isolationists and backing a strong wartime diplomacy with Germany.
Soviet and Romanian columns pierced defenses along the Tisza near Budapest and reached the Danube while Russian forces entered East Prussia up to 18 miles inside Germany. Berlin reports a 225 mile Warsaw to Tarnow drive toward Krakow as Axis lines retreat to fortified positions.
War analyst notes the axis crumble across multiple theaters from Aachen to Leyte to Budapest. The United Nations advance signals end of Nazi Japan alliance as Hitler pleads for German defense and conditional surrender proves unlikely.
Lt. Ray ford Jeffrey, native of Cherokee Alabama, left the air corps as a sergeant at Panama City two years ago to train as a pilot. He recently earned the British Distinguished Flying Cross after flying over 200 missions in a Beaufighter with a night fighter squadron overseas. He recalls being scared during combat but notes he always followed orders and stayed busy in the air.
Roy Mapes, 32, was moved from Colbert county jail to Morgan county jail after a reported threat of rescue. Dr. Hilard E. Whitlock, a Tuscumbia physician, was shot about 10:05 a.m. in his office on East Fifth Street. Mapes allegedly fired twice from a .45 S and W special. Police said 10 to 15 witnesses saw the attack. Mapes cited a reason but did not specify it.
J Walker Murphy 58 of Lacey's Spring died Saturday night at 7 30 at Baughs infirmary He is survived by his wife two daughters Mrs Archie Curbon of Somerville and Mrs Virgil Knighton of Bry Spring One sister Mrs Alton Lacey of Spring and two brothers W C Murphy of Somerville and J T Murphy of Lacey's Spring Services were held at Valhermosa Monday afternoon at three by Rev L W Myers Pallbearers included J A Neem and ay Collins Newt Lenox E H Stinson and McMullins Interment followed in the adjoining Peck cemetery
Fragmentary poll data from New York and Chicago indicate a tight presidential race. The Chicago Times and New York News statewide tallies list Roosevelt ahead in some regions and trailing in others, with overall results suggesting a neck‑and‑neck national contest.
Pfc Plea sant E Hames of Hillsboro Alabama a member of Maj Gen Frank Merrills Marauders earned the Presidential Citation for deeds behind Japanese lines in Northern Burma. He and his unit killed about 800 enemy with four losses during a surprise ambush along the Myitkyina route part of a 700 mile march through Burma. He previously served in New Caledonia and New Georgia before overseas duty.
In Cleveland a devastating gas blast at the East Ohio Gas plant left at least 83 dead with 165 hospitalized and over 200 treated. Six agencies including the FBI and local police led investigations as fear grew the toll could reach 200.
A fire damaged a plant at the Barrett division in Birmingham Alabama on October 21. Authorities investigated the incident and reported no further injuries or casualties at the scene.
American forces in Leyte advance four miles inland along an 18 mile front, seize Tacloban and Dulag airfields, capture Tacloban, and gain control of a strait to the inland sea. General MacArthur vows to hold Japanese leaders accountable for Bataan torture and any future atrocities.
A U S communications board disputes Allied claims of a 600 ship armada and 250 000 men for Leyte. It calls the invasion a bluff and says the Japanese knew the true force, while air and fleet losses in Oct 9 18 are detailed from com muniques with 1477 planes destroyed and 461 ships sunk or damaged. China reports no change in the Hunan Ksi sector.
The general warned against severe violations while noting the rapid seizure of central Philippines territory and the use of a base to augment carrier raids. He urged against impugned brutality in a firm, crackling address.
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