25 Dec 1944
Page 1
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Newspaper
Lawrence Journal World
Location
Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Dec 25, 1944
Page
1
German tanks and infantry pressed toward the Meuse as U S forces clashed with enemy columns in Belgium and Luxembourg. Allied bombers struck heavily on the German bulge while American troops advanced near Bastogne and Martelange, with losses and gains reported on multiple fronts.
London reports renewed Allied air assault on German lines as 800 American aircraft including heavy bombers strike railroad bridges and supply routes behind the front. The British fleet and escort fighters boosted the 1,500 ton air raid using visual bombing in clear weather.
British forces in Greece report heavy fighting as they seize the main Athens area refrigerating plant in Piraeus and push rifle and parachute units into western Athens. ELAS leaders demand a Greek government of broad confidence and disarmament of other militias, while London contemplates cabinet changes including Walker’s likely exit and possible assignments for Hannegan or Jackson.
Brunswick, Ga. December 25. UP Shipyard workers here worked eight hours today without pay as a Christmas gift for the fighting forces on the front. The welding rod they used was also a gift from the New York Metal and Thermite corporation. The idea began with 80 shipfitters at the J. A. Jones Construction company yards who decided to work Christmas without pay.
Blind since childhood, Edward Boston, 38, of Tulsa, regained sight in his right eye after an operation funded by the Tulsa Lions Club and a hospital in Omaha. He praises the world becoming new and remarks weeds in a nearby field look beautiful after the Christmas gift of sight.
President Roosevelt presented his annual Christmas message from Washington on December 25. He warned that America's enemies still possess reserves of men and power and that victory would come when the nation keeps faithfully to its duties. The broadcast coincided with the White House Christmas tree lighting on the lawn.
Snow and cold wave threaten the Midwest with readings plunging across five states including Iowa and Wisconsin. A 15 below zero low in Pembina North Dakota marks the season’s extreme while forecasts push temperatures from minus 25 in northern Minnesota to about 10 above in southern Illinois.
AP wires report three Superforts bombed Tokyo and nearby areas including Yokohama and Shizuoka in three waves during Christmas. The U.S. Coast broadcast, recorded by the FCC, notes incendiaries. BBC hearing says Japanese submarines operate along the U.S. Pacific coast.
Lt. ig Karnowski of Lawrence Kansas received the Navy Cross from Capt. Hubert E. Paddock at Port Hueneme after leading demolition efforts on D day. Under heavy fire he cleared a Sd yard beach obstacle gap and rescued a wounded crewmate, repeatedly returning to place charges as others fell. His parents live in Paxico Kansas.
In Washington on December 26 the treasury reported the sixth war loan drive reached $20,360,000,000, edging within $291,000,000 of the record set by the fifth loan last June and July. Final tallies for the sixth loan, including $14,000,000,000 in added zeal, will be completed this week with final figures due January 2.
Santa Claus returned to Guam today for the first time in three years, wearing a Seabee uniform under a Berlin-style suit and giving small gifts to Chamorro children. An 18-year-old recalls last year’s hardships under Japanese occupation with no party, cake, candy, or rations.
A nationwide AP survey tallies Christmas holiday deaths at 238 with traffic accidents causing 149 fatalities. Fire accounts for 27, plane crashes 18, and a Belvidere train wreck adds one death and 19 injuries. California leads with 27 deaths. totals show Arkansas 10, Missouri 13, Oklahoma 38 and 1 in Kansas amid ten states with no fatalities.
Topeka Dec 25 Two thirds of Winter General hospital wounded GIs earned convalescent furlough to spend Christmas at home with families. Ward activity included Eskimo Mukluk style boots made by Lt. Gov. Bow ers. Patients like Pvt Cornhenisen and Sgt Boyd shared hopes of home and recovery while Red Cross and American Legion volunteers organized gifts, movies, coffee and parties to lift spirits in the hospital.
At Pearl Harbor a U S Pacific Meet notes a threefold air operation against Iwo Jima. B 29s and Liberators joined forces to bomb the Japanese island in the Volcano Islands group. About 50 Superfortresses delivered heavy explosives while anti aircraft fire was light.
A Christmas Day fire destroyed Mrs Esther McNeal’s home killing 23 year old Mrs Mat ay and her three year old daughter Anna Juanita May. The blaze origin was not determined. Fire crews responded but the occupants could not be saved.
Soviet communique says Tolbukhin’s Third Ukraine army pierced 25 miles into Hungary in three days, overrunning Szesesfehervar and Bielke and seizing 9 miles of the Budapest Vienna rail line. Red troops push 17 miles into western Slovakia, capturing Leva junction near Bratislava and within 98 miles of Vienna.
Brunswick Ga Dec 25 Hundreds of workers gave up their Christmas holiday to speed a four war cargo carrying vessel. About 1 500 of 13 000 J A Jones employees reported for the day shift volunteering to work without pay as a present to front line fighting forces. The shipways had 500 men in the yard and cafeteria workers served free meals. Provisional government formed in parts of Hungary led by Bela Niklos per Moscow reports. London subway paralyzed as workers walk out over two day holiday dispute. union leaders call it unauthorized and expect a one day halt.
Major Glenn Miller, commander of the American forces band and former United States orchestra leader, is missing on a flight from England to Paris, according to an official announcement yesterday.
Berlin asserted that both Americans and Nazis poured fresh forces into the winter battle in Belgium and that German forces scored further successes. The communique said a concentric attack was launched against surrounded Americans in Bastogne while American attacks near Elsenborn and St Vith were broken off after a defeat. Strong U S assaults continued on the southern flank into Luxembourg and German troops drove Americans from several localities between the Saar and the Rhine.
The community Christmas service at First Methodist Church featured Rev Warren Wile of the First Christian Church discussing the spiritual meaning of Christmas. He urged thinking of others and embodying Jesus teaching on remembering others as central to the season. Dr C E Allison presided with help from Ministerial Alliance pastors and music from the Junior Choir and Mary Sommerville violin solo.
Chicago reports that the National Football League and United States league presidents favor operating in 1945 if war needs require a pause. War Manpower officials urge re examination of 4-F athletes and a work-or-fight draft policy. Grange plans a new league with franchises coast to coast including Hawaii. Jolson suffers malaria in Beverly Hills after war service entertainment. Berlin claims of Manchester attack align with British noting northern England V-weapon use.
A child asks the Lord and Santa to bring Daddy back for Christmas. She recalls being a young girl last year and now is five, hoping the Star of Bethlehem will bring him home rather than toys or decorations.
The Weather Man failed to bring a white Christmas to Lawrence yet delivered an icy morning. A trace of rain froze on sidewalks, making walking and driving hazardous. Residents woke to slick porches and steps as drinks and newspapers were collected. Kansas City area saw heavier ice west toward St. Marys and Lawrence. A Kane Sag City bus carried six plant workers after a skid near Zarahon on Highway 10. Travel remained near normal in Lawrence, with Santa Fe trains westbound at 8:48 a.m. prompting a quiet holiday travel pattern.
The report forecasts snow west and eastward snow or freezing rain with colder conditions in the northwest and north central. Tonight’s lows range from zero in the northwest to 20 in the southeast, with Tuesday bringing light snow east and partial clearing later. Gas Office Record shows Saturday’s high 30 and low 23, with yesterday’s 34/23 and yearago 43/22, rainfall 0.01 inch.
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