War Today: Airmen tumble into the bomber age in Britain
Editor’s Note recounts DeWitt MacKenzie’s visit with U S bombers in Britain as young crews adapt to complex four engine aircraft. The piece examines first reactions to bombing ops, pre raid nerves, and the balance of fear and duty among airmen facing life and death in the skies over western Europe.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
DeWitt MacKenie
Folumn
United States
Britain
Pacific
Uncle Sam
Itler
Eupe
Instein
Famine Ravages Henan Province as Thousands Die
CHUNGKING Oct 19. One of modern times worst famines hits Henan with 6000 officially starving, 18,000,000 famine refugees reported as roads to Henan severed by war. Droughts frosts locusts and rabbit plagues blamed. Japanese invasion disrupted crops. Government relief includes tax remissions and loans totaling 400000 dollars to aid farmers and seed purchases.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chungking
Hatilefeld
Henan
Pravda Press Demands Trial Of Hess Now
A Pravda editorial calls for the immediate trial of Rudolf Hess, now a captive in Britain, asking whether he is a criminal subject to punishment or a pleni potentiary representative of the Hitler government in England. It supports the Soviet government stance for swift action against any German leader captured by Allied forces. The piece rejects delaying justice and warns Hess could shield himself by status or asylum.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Moscow
Pravda
Rudolf Hess
Britain
Hess
England
Hitler
Communist Party
Germany
Violence Claims Four In States During Week End
Four North Carolina residents died by violence in a weekend. J. C. Lewis, 13, of Crisp Wilson County, shot in a hunting accident. William Earl Wrenn, 52, found shot to death at his Durham home. Dr. A H Powell coroner ruled death by own action. Dora Dunbar, 43, a Negro maid, cut her throat at her employer’s Raleigh home. coroner Roy Banks noted self inflicted.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charlotte
North Carolina
J. C. Lewis
Crisp
Wilson County
William Earl Wrenn
Durham
A. H. Powell
Dora Dunbar
Raleigh
Roy Banks
Unrest Among German Troops Of Occupation In Norway
Reports to the Norwegian government in exile indicate rising mutinies, desertions, suicides, and morale decline among about 200,000 German troops in Norway. Two concentration camps were opened for mutineers along the Finnish frontier, with at least 1,400 Nazis confined in one camp. A north Kirkenes rebelled against orders to go to Russia, and mass executions were avoided as firing squads refused to shoot. Across Europe, Nazi labor recruitment faced resistance, with Gestapo rounds planned in Vichy France and forced labor calls expanding to women. Information ties unrest to conditions in occupied and unoccupied France, Belgium, Greece, and Holland, while Vichy moves to naturalize secret police aid.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Norway
Kirkenes
Russia
Hitler
Europe
France
Gestapo
Belgium
Athens
Naturalize
Vichy
Pierre Laval
Legionnaires
Popular Front
Jacques Doriot
Smal
Paris Radio
Vichy Radio
Paris
Lyon
Chambery
Annecy
Amberleu
Sweden
Stavanger
Holland
Navy critics urge firmer command after Pacific setbacks
Ray Tucker reports that influential Congress members question top naval strategists after battles at Pearl Harbor Java Sea and the Solomons. Lawmakers blame Washington officials and Admirals Kimmel Short for disasters while praising the bravery of sailors. The August engagements prompt Senate and House Naval Affairs committees to demand accountability amid costly fleet programs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ray Tucker
Pacific
Pearl Harbor
Java Sea
Solomons
Congress
Capitol Bull
Honolulu
Washington
Kimmel
Short
Houston
Astoria
Quincy
Vincennes
House
Senate
Mass Raids Of Axis Fighters Hit At Malta
Cairo reports Malta faced five raids yesterday with 90 fighters in one attack. Malta defenders shot down two Axis planes, raising eight day total to 116. RAF losses included one Spitfire, with pilot saved. Axis tactics shift to more fighters and fighter bombers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cairo
Malta
RAF
Junkers
Axis
Middle East
Russians Mount Desperate Counter Attack at Stalingrad
In Moscow on October 19 the Soviet defense shifted fresh troops to Stalingrad as German troops pushed into crumbling factory districts. The mid-day communique reported hundreds of enemy dead and 18 German tanks knocked out, with four German planes brought down by Red Air Force and anti aircraft fire.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Associated Press
Moscow
Stalingrad
Red Air Force
Stalin
Hunt For Accused Negro Lyncher
Hazelhurst Miss Oct 19 Deputies highway patrol and state guardsmen continue pursuit of John A Catchings wanted for slaying Chief Deputy John A Box. Governor Johnson says troops will ensure a fair impartial trial. Recent lynchings of two 14 year old Black youths and a Black man convict followed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hazelhurst
Miss
Mississippi
State Guard
Paul B. Johnson
Copiah County
John A. Catchings
John A. Box
Jackson
Robert T. Picking
Catchings
Box
Picking
Senate Debates Draft Bill Delayed To Thursday
The administration agreed to delay Senate debate on conscripting 18 and 19 year olds for the draft until Thursday after absent senators return. The House passed the bill, and Senator Vandenberg proposed a constitutional amendment to lower voting age to 18. The Senate also considered the tax bill conference report and a large Navy appropriation, with high school and college inductions later debated.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Senate
Associated Press
Washington
Vdeamncratic Tanday Barstaw
Michigan
House
Conference Committee
la Follette
Goebbels Declares Last Chance For Nazi Victory
Propaganda Minister Goebbels in Munich said the coming year is Germanys last but biggest chance for victory. He urged urgency, stating Germany fights for existence and will not miss the opportunity. BBC commentary noted subduing Stalingrad would require heavy fighting and raids were directed there and in the Caucasus.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Berlin
Goebbels
Munich
Germany
BBC
CBS
Stalingrad
Britain
Caucasus
Allied Power In Air Gaining New Emphasis
London dispatch notes Allied bombers target Dutch rail yards and canal communications to disrupt Nazi transport. Netherlands exile govt urges Dutch workers to halt on air alarms and avoid trains while warning of bombing of idle and daytime freight trains. emphasis on Allied air power grows after raid on Schneider Armament Works in Occupied France.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Holland
Netherlands
Schneider
France
Toll rises to 495 in western Atlantic ship losses
The navy disclosed that a medium sized United States merchantman was destroyed by enemy submarine action in the Caribbean about two months ago. Two torpedoes broke the ship apart and killed Lieut. Commander Van Rensselaer Moore. Forty four survivors drifted for two days before reaching a Caribbean port and being brought to the United States. Seven UN cargo ships were sunk last week, raising Allied and neutral merchant ship losses since Pearl Harbor to 494 with 137 lives lost in the Canadian coastal water sinking of the Caribou.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
Caribbean
Associated Press
Western Atlantic
Pearl Harbor
van Rensselaer Moore
United Nations
Atlantic
OWI Ends Defense View On U S Fighter Planes Performance
The Office of War Information released a 10000 word public report noting U S combat aircraft perform well and improving. It praises B 17 and B 24 bombers, praises Navy carrier planes, but criticizes engine development and high altitude limits of P 40 P 39 and P 31. It says future industry is evolving with promise yet warns full appraisal awaits victory and stresses allied cooperation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Office of War Information
United States
OWL
Great Britain
United Nations
Southwest Pacific
Enemy Bomber Blows Batter Guadalcanal News Item
American forces on Guadalcanal brace for a possible major Japanese land assault as MacArthur's HQ reports four waves of heavy bombers harassing supply lines in the northwest Solomons. Allied raids hit Buin and Shortland area ships, with ships burning and planes destroying several enemy craft in the latest operations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Associated Press
Washington
Guadalcanal
MacArthur
Australia
Solomons
Buin- Shortland
Buin
Navy
Marine Corps
United States
London Alerts Follow Raids On East Coast
London reports three brief alerts as daylight raiders struck Britain's East Coast amid low clouds. German planes machine gunned scattered towns near the Thames Estuary and a coastal town shopping district, causing damage and casualties in several locations. No bombs fell on London. observers say reprisals followed recent Allied raids on Nazi targets in France.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Gereman
Britain
East Anglia
Thames
France
Also Mentioned on This Page
Washington, D. C
Potomac Park
West Atlantic
The
OWI
U. S
Guadalcanal Island
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