31 Dec 1944
Page 1
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Newspaper
Dothan Eagle
Location
Dothan, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 31, 1944
Page
1
Pinckard and Dale County students aided by residents in the Sixth War Loan Drive raised $233,705.60 in pledges. Earlier, Pinckard High School reported $106,764.33 in bonds and stamps were used to purchase a hospital service plane.
San Francisco AP report says John J. Lamier, 2, of Cuthbert, Ga., withdrew a prior voluntary confession to killing Georgette Bauerfort, a Los Angeles heiress. Deputy sheriff Hor kingen who traveled from L A to fetch the boy died. His grandmother in Albany, Ga., says the youth has been kept in a private sanatorium.
Rev. Robert W. Searle of New York told 500 Methodist leaders in Nashville that the church must revise to meet world conditions. He warned the church risks being “the custodians of the Christian God” if it limits God to white America and urged a drastic reform toward global stewardship and unity. The Crusade for Christ aims to boost internationalism, raise 25 million for relief and reconstruction, and grow evangelism, stewardship, and Sunday school attendance. Searle will deliver the second of four addresses in the series.
Allied forces report near equal strength with MacArthur announcing Christmas Day end to the campaign. New troops reach Palompon as remnant Japanese commanders retreat. Japanese planes strike Mindoro and Panay convoys, sinking ships but eight attackers shot down. Patrols based in central Philippines raid Japanese positions on Legon Island. Mindoro air raid deemed ineffective.
The analysis notes Von Rundstedt's stand showed American grit after two years in Europe. It warns victory will be costly and many American lives will be lost. It questions the timing of a renewed Allied push and highlights Patton's supply issues near Metz, urging intensified production at home to sustain the drive toward Germany.
Number 5 Continued From Page One reports Dr Holman was stricken at his office while awaiting patients. Born May 18 1874 he practiced in Dale County for fifty years following his father a pioneer physician. He served on Ozark city council and school board and was a Methodist church steward. Surviving are his wife Floride Arwood Holman five sons two daughters seven grandchildren and three brothers. Funeral arrangements were not completed.
The assembly will meet tomorrow with the meeting ending Wednesday. Commissions in the conference include executive secretaries and presidents of conference boards of education children workers youth workers adult workers college teachers of religion and directors of Christian education in the local church.
Foster USO Club on South Foster Street outlines upcoming events for the week headlined by Walter Barris hosting duties at Sunday service. Today features bingo at 12 30 pm and varced recordings from 3 to 4 pm with a Serviceman Hour broadcast. Nightly activities include dances, sewing classes, movies, and musical entertainment through Friday with a second weekly dance Saturday at 8 30 pm led by junior hostesses.
Army reports detail Allied counterpressure west of Bastogne with Moircy and a road to St Hubert under threat while Seventh Army probes Colmar Mulhouse and patrols Maas near Roermond. Brig Gen Bruce Clarke’s armored group at St Vith delays German breakthrough, then withdraws with minimal losses. Gen Hugh S Gaffey again commands Fourth Armored as siege is lifted.
war dispatches report that Supreme Allied Commander Eisenhower should ease the burden to restore momentum after Normandy. Ward Price notes Montgomery’s role shift under Eisenhower and calls for stronger US division backing to push toward the Ruhr. Brig. Smyth wonders if the old leadership trio can repeat success or face unrest in Greece.
Bad weather reportedly grounded the 15th U.S. Air Force in Italy and hindered allied air operations on the Western Front. Dispatches from frontline units indicate fighter bomber activity was limited by conditions.
War economy trims gasoline availability as requirements drop to 10 gallons per vehicle. Synthetic rubber, explosives, and Army B25 needs strain production. Navy uses limited supplies for Liberty ships, Army trucks, and essential equipment, while factories adapt to wartime shortages.
AP report outlines wartime rationing moves reducing civilian access to shoes and poultry. Government agencies including OMB OPA WPB and WMC announce measures, with Byrnes to propose tighter mobilization and wartime production. Poultry set-aside targets Georgia Arkansas Missouri Oklahoma, reserving most chickens for the armed forces.
Soviet communique reports Germans facing brutal street fighting inside Budapest as Red armies trap Danube corridor forces. Moscow says nine thousand six hundred Axis troops killed or captured, German armor and locomotives seized, as two Ukrainian armies close on Vienna within 92 miles.
Moscow says Soviet forces reach Danube junctions while hammering through Budapest streets. German garrison urged to surrender or be annihilated as rich fighting continues the campaign toward Vienna. Reports allege German officers with a white flag were shot and premeditated murder cited.
The correspondent argues von Rundstedt’s Christmas offensive shows the real victory is on the German home front. Goebbels’ careful propaganda aims to rally morale, while shortages and restrictions threaten Christmas, creating a fragile sense of hope amid wartime reverses and fear of a morale collapse.
A wartime analysis notes Nazi Germany in a fragile position as Allied advances accelerate in Europe. Eisenhower Patton and Soviet pressure push toward Germany from the west and east, with Budapest seen as vulnerable and a Danube corridor opening. MacArthur’s Pacific campaign continues, while Japan lags behind in surrender prospects.
The text fragments discuss elevation of committees to full power, China’s isolation, and tensions involving Malaya South China and the Philippines. It hints at American actions and sea lanes and a possible Nih link between allied groups, with political difficulties in the region.
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A fragmented note discusses expanding news coverage and challenges ahead. It cites Brig. Gen. David Sarnoff and the Radio Committee, noting wartime diplomacy and communications shifts. It mentions Nazi expectations and potential German morale issues ahead of riots anticipated in January.
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