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Newspaper
Dothan Eagle
Location
Dothan, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 11, 1945
Page
5
A wartime briefing outlines moves of personnel from the Eighth Air Force to the Pacific, pairing Liberator units with new roles as long range bombers while reinforcing bomber strength for ongoing campaigns against Germany and Japan.
U S offensive toward Naha Okinawa's capital gathers pace as the Sixth Marine Division bridges the Asa river estuary despite two Japanese suicide attacks. Maj Gen Lemuel C Shepard Jr leads the third fresh division into the southern front, crossing in darkness. Asato river barrier remains ahead.
The Burma campaign nears end as Mountbatten's Southeast Asia Command eyes Singapore area next. Fresh and rested units from Hangoon operations may spearhead a landing on the Malay peninsula north of Singapore or Sumatra. A growing fleet backs this amphibious push, with European campaigns concluded.
The War Manpower Commission outlines a phased plan to lift labor controls as Japan is defeated. Groups 9 and 4 may see immediate relaxations, while Groups 1 and 2 keep ceilings and referrals until reclassified by July. About 2600 Army discharges will begin at centers nationwide under a new point system.
A memorial service is held at Napier for four Dothan residents. Colonel Charles J. Da Wer Field presides as President Harry S. Truman issues a formal proclamation designating the day for prayer and devotion. The ceremony starts at 4 PM on Sunday, honoring those who have died.
The Associated Press summary notes Sixth Army movements on the western coast as forces approach Mindanao and nearby fronts. It mentions Japanese garrisons in southern positions and Allied units crossing the Ana river with plans to push toward further objectives on the west coast.
A News Agency report from Bill Slacum Jr. notes plans for a large American force to enter Berlin via Unter den Linden but states it will not be covered by American correspondents. The piece mentions rumored Russian press restrictions and cynicism about that claim, implying no American reporters accompany the troops.
Chinese troops push back Japanese on the 78 mile Hunan front and engage in a prelude to a general counteroffensive. American air support and ground forces report heavy Japanese losses around Chihkiang, Paoching, and surrounding areas as encirclement advances.
Mobile Alabama AP report states Gesane T McCorvey, chairman of the State Democratic Executive Committee, calls to keep the poll tax in full force in a public letter to the legislature. He says the tax is legal and helps remove voters he considers unlikely to cast an intelligent ballot, while noting the views are his personal belief.
Allied B 29s struck Japan three times in a single day targeting Kyushu oil storage plants and several industrial sites. Reports describe heavy damage to oil reserves and aircraft facilities while crews praised bombing accuracy amid undercast conditions. No Japanese losses reported.
US infantrymen of the 24th Division under Maj. Gen. Rosco Woodruff report steady gains against stiff resistance in a mounting Mindanao battle near the seized port of Davao. Marines support the ground fight as units probe cave defenses in the Talomo Davao rivers area near Davao City. Japanese civilians evacuated Davao city, with Samar offshore also in American hands.
The U S Eighth Air Force lists 43 142 fighter pilots and bomber crewmen killed or missing in Europe as the war continues. Serious injuries total 1 522. Bombers lost in action and German planes destroyed figures are noted along with vast gasoline consumption.
A War Department notice outlines plans for a 12 division American intelligence unit in the U S occupation zone of Germany. General Eisenhower will lead the U S on the council with Lt General Lucius Clay as deputy military governor for Germany.
AP dispatch from San Francisco notes a rising bloc of small nations seeking greater authority over the use of force in a future world security system. Canada and New Zealand press for a voice in decisions, while New Zealand urges an assembly to approve or reject Security Council actions, opposed by the big powers.
AP dispatch from Pilsen describes Rommel's Afrika Korps surrendering under Allied pressure after two years of fighting in North Africa. Forces driven to the sea, supply lines cut, prisoners taken as British and American troops reclaim the region. Nazis claim Africa a small gamble while insisting Europe remains secure.
London dispatch reports United Nations labeling Adolf Hitler era leaders including Goering Hess and Himmler as war criminals. Plans for trials by Allied powers are debated with calls for public proceedings, broader inclusion of industrial sponsors, and careful handling of reparations and punishment.
Allied headquarters report American service troops are being moved toward France as part of a theater shift. Troops will ferry to Europe to prepare for combat units, with combat troops likely to reach the Pacific first before redeployment to Europe. Reorganization aims to support France and Germany campaigns, with senior officers coordinating the readaptation program.
Montgomery tale of postponed tax bills stirs debate as administration pushes income tax plans to fund welfare while opponents vow amendments. Health and education head Smyer secures consent to carry bills, and repeal and abolition efforts are delayed amid Public Service Commission scrutiny.
Soviet forces across three Ukrainian armies pressed into Czechoslovakia pursuing pockets of German holdouts. Encirclement threats grew as German troops retreated toward American lines, with large surrender totals and multiple army groups reporting advances toward Prague and Austrian fronts.
The Court of Appeals affirmed the 25 year penitentiary term for Grace Fldridge, a divorcee, convicted of shooting Totin Henderson in a dawn town street on August 19, 1844. Indicted by Houston County grand jury, she has been jailed since arrest. Another case, Edgar Smith of Houston County, appeals a three year sentence for grand larceny from July of the same year.
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