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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Oct 25, 1944
Page
1
Local notices report funeral services for Mrs. F A Simmons Sr in Holly Springs. Residents visit families in Decatur and Eva. Church groups plan events, choir rehearsals, and a Nurse Aide talk by Lt Ingenia Brown. Parole case and local hospital updates appear amid community items.
Allied reports say British and Canadian forces overran the Dutch road hub of S Hertogenbosch after fierce house to house fighting. German pockets were cleared as troops advanced on a 15 mile front with supply routes severed and 60,000 to 70,000 German troops endangered in Western Holland.
The Federal Works Agency approved a federal contribution of $1 for Decatur recreational facilities covering October 1, 1944, to September 30, 1945, announced today by civic leaders in Decatur.
Allied and Japanese forces clash in the Philippines as American third fleet and Japanese carriers engage off Leyte. Pearl Harbor confirms heavy U S losses to Japanese attempts while a decisive American victory could hasten the reclamation of the Philippines and shorten the war.
A frozen food locker plant with 291 lockers is contracted by P and H Super Market on First Avenue Decatur at a $14000 investment. Charles Kirk and T. E. Putnam announce the plan requiring War Production Board approval and 60 percent of space rented in advance, with 60 percent of rentals from food producers. Rentals payable in advance are held in escrow. if operation stalls after one year, funds are returned. Application at P and H Market. The plant aims for three months to start and needs 175 renters, 60 percent food producers, before board approval. The Decatur Chamber of Commerce farm committee has pressed for a locker plant for over a year.
Tragedy strikes Decatur High as Betty Jean Johnson 16 dies at Decatur General Hospital after cerebral hemorrhage. Eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sherrill Maner, she was active on the annual staff and in clubs. Funeral at Central Baptist Church with burial in city cemetery. survivors include her parents and siblings.
An officer of the anti Franco National Spanish Union in Paris says guerrilla clashes extend into Andalusia and other regions, with raids from France into Navarra and Northern Spain. Madrid reports only a small guerrilla remnant hiding in the mountains, denying a wider uprising.
Fifth Army forces push in the southern approaches to Bologna after days of heavy fighting in the Apennines. American doughboys seize Monte Belmonte a key mountain position shaping the defense of Bologna. At the Po valley end, British, Canadian, Polish, and Indian units press northwest toward Cesena with other advances along the Adriatic coast.
C B Hodges war chest chairman calls a Tuesday seven o'clock mass meeting at the courthouse to plan finishing the Cullman County drive. The county war chest totals about 7000 dollars and organizers aim to restart the effort.
Sea trial of the Samuel G. Borland, latest ocean-going cargo ship built at the local shipyard, completed with favorable results. The vessel, delivered for the Matson Line, is expected to sail on Saturday after a smooth test run in the breeze.
News reports say Kirkenes in the Arctic has been evacuated after destroying military installations at the submarine and air base. Moscow dispatches describe Soviet pressure on East Prussia and a potential push toward Konigsberg with heavy fighting across multiple fronts.
Morgan County struggles as the combined War Chest and United Charities tally barely advances toward a $41,500 goal. Co chairmen Rankin and Crow note a $10,000 shortfall of the $34,000 Decatur target, with only 22 communities reporting hopeful gifts and continued efforts expected through the week.
Two fires hit Moulton and Hartselle gins causing extensive damage to plants machinery and cotton. Fire units from Moulton Decatur Courtland Army air field and Hartselle fought the blazes keeping spread to other properties. total losses estimated between $15 000 and $20 000 with some insurance.
Tokyo radio reports about 186 B 29s hit strategic targets on Kyushu in daylight. The War Department bulletin gave no specific sites but noted prior strikes focused on steel and war industries. Some damage was claimed on the Japanese side with the raid timed between 10:00 and 11:30 a m.
The American Newspaper Publishers Association reports total war effort advertising expenditures by U S papers for the year ending July 31 at 57 060 242 dollars. The ANPA notes the figure covers advertising columns only and excludes news and editorials.
The Decatur Chamber of Commerce held a Tuesday meeting at the Lyons Hotel led by First Vice President J. E. McClary. A special committee was appointed to pursue reductions in county automobile tax and to discuss depreciation allowances with the tax assessor. A nominating committee was named to choose ten candidates for five open board seats for a three year term. Secretary John Nelson announced three firms aided to locate in Decatur and two new business ventures planned, with further industrials reported and referendum votes underway.
The Office of Price Administration states it cannot supply extra gasoline for private automobile travel to polls where other transport exists. Price Administrator Chester Bowles wrote to Senator Davis that Pennsylvania lacks an absentee voting law and many workers abroad would be unable to vote. The reply notes the situation in the context of a primary election.
Allied forces in the Western Pacific report heavy carrier battles with Nimitz announcing Mitscher’s planes sank one large Japanese carrier and damaged several others while downing many land based Japanese planes. MacArthur’s forces advance on Leyte as San Pablo airfield is captured and air strikes target clustered Japanese supply hubs.
Airdrome on Leyte Island captured by Allied forces announced by General Douglas MacArthur in a broadcast through the Associated Press. San Pablo secure as American troops press across other sectors of Leyte.
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