17 Dec 1940
Page 1
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Newspaper
Medicine Hat News
Location
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Date
Dec 17, 1940
Page
1
At the organization meeting of the School Board last night W. W. Oliver was named chairman for 1941 with Thomas Graham as vice chairman A vote of thanks was extended to retiring chairman W W Nibleck for his services in 1940.
A pre-dawn explosion leveled a three story brick tenement at the northern downtown edge of Cincinnati. At least two people were killed Joseph P Koebbe 32 and Doris Smith a daughter of Mr and Mrs Hubert Smith nine others injured and one count believed trapped in the ruins. Cause of the blast was not immediately known.
Toronto report cites Dr. Ber ram Thomas saying aerial raids on Gibraltar have been of a make-believe character and caused insignificant damage. He notes raids after Oran and Dakar failed to harm the rock, while Mussolini’s airmen spent millions of bombs for little effect.
Lord Beaverbrook declares Germany preparing for invasion of Britain by land sea and air with an immense early year air force. He says signs of feverish production and warns Britons not to be overconfident while noting increasing arrivals of American fighter planes aiding Britain.
Seven bodies were recovered from the Raleigh Coal and Coke No. 4 mine in Raleigh County Virginia, raising eight known dead and five injured in the blast. Police, rescuers and company officials continued to search for survivors and assess damage after the disaster near Beckley.
In Edmonton Premier Aberhart announces D. M. Sullivan will become Edmonton senior high school inspector and H. C. Sweet of Medicine Hat will be southern Alberta high school inspector with Calgary HQ. Sullivan replaces Capt. H. E. Balfour. Sweet succeeds Sullivan as superintendent of elementary schools in Cypress and Tilley East divisions.
Medicine Hat city council acts to halt permanent promotions among employees serving in His Majesty’s forces during wartime while guaranteeing positions to enlisting staff. It also allows cross-department temporary moves with loss of rights until veterans return, then job restoration follows. The meeting also approves 1941 tax prepayment plan with 6 percent interest and set dates June 1 to March 15.
25 Years Ago dispatch notes heavy artillery on the Western Front. Field Marshal Viscount French relinquishes command of the British army in Flanders. French cruiser destroys German munitions plant at Caiffa on the Syrian coast.
The readable portion lacks clear names events or places to craft a factually grounded card. No coherent action, date, or organization present to summarize with accuracy.
The admiralty announced that 101,190 tons of British allied and neutral merchant shipping were sunk in the week ending December 8. Nineteen British vessels totalling 86,740 tons, three allied ships of 12,937 tons and one neutral vessel of 1,513 tons were lost.
Nazi envoy Otto Abetz arrived in Vichy as rigidly disciplined troops accompanied him, signaling possible German influence on France's future. Observers warned the visit could foretell occupation, while Abetz was expected to meet Marshal Petain and discuss the cabinet shake-up that ousted Laval.
London December 17 Herbert Morrison minister of home security said 105000 more shelter accommodations had been provided since October and the worst of overcrowding in big shelters is now a thing of the past.
Treasury Secretary Morgenthau told the House appropriations committee that Sir Frederic Phillips said Britain cannot commit to further purchases of war materials in the United States without extended financial aid.
A Scotland Yard report to the Home Office states alleged Communists posted agents in underground shelters to undermine morale in Britain. The document notes several Communists obtained appointments as shelter marshals.
London December 17 Canadian minister of supply Hon C D Howe arrived safely at a British port aboard the liner Western Prince torpedoed last week in the eastern Atlantic. Confirmation of his safety was released tonight while details on the rest of the party remained unclear.
Royal Air Force bombers attacked Mannheim area Germany including an aircraft factory and dye plant in a seven hour assault. The raids also hit Bordeaux submarine base and six merchantmen off the French coast with four British planes not returning.
The Civic Conciliation Board in Vancouver announced that five percent salary reductions imposed on about 4,000 civic employees during the lean years would be restored in 1941.
At last night's council session the street sign issue was discussed with plans to resume early in the new year. Flying Officer Ricks Harrison and Pilot Officer Moorecroft met the mayor and aldermen before the meeting. Hawthorne's South Railway Street is festively lit with evergreens and colored lights. His Worship and the four re elected aldermen have retaken the oaths of office. Christmas parcels for Ontario should be in the mail.
Caterpillar tractors widen a snow route at Banff Sunshine Camp and Lake Louise ahead of ski trips to Skoki. British armor sweeps west of Bardia, capturing Salum and Fort Capuzzo as Italian forces retreat toward Libya.
Dense fog over Vancouver for three days disrupts shipping and air traffic, injuring 11 in traffic snarls, causing ferry collisions with no injuries, and grounding airlines. An easterly wind is expected to clear the weather and resumes normal activity.
London December 17 Two and a half hours of weekly overtime will begin December 30 in the Oldham cotton spinning district as an immediate two month measure to maintain essential production.
Regina December 17 Saskatchewan Minister of National Resources W F Kerr announced a gas and oil exploratory project in Southeastern Saskatchewan cost over 150000 It aims to survey 1800 square miles The plan follows an agreement with Nearcanols Oil and Gas Limited Preliminary tests include gravity meter readings seismic work and deep drilling over two to three years The oil firm financed the venture is a Toronto Winnipeg Edmonton group
UK civilian air raid casualties for November total 4,588 dead and 6,202 wounded, with October and September figures combining to 15,522 dead and 21,620 wounded. Breakdown shows 2,288 men, 1,806 women, and 493 children under 16 killed in November.
A convention of Social Credit delegates in Camrose is to open to choose a panel of at least three nominees for the by election in the Camrose provincial riding. The nominees will be narrowed for a candidate to be selected later.
Ottawa reports Canada's trade mission to the West Indies and South America is returning because Trade Minister MacKinnon is ill. Officials say the illness is not serious and the tour was not abandoned. it may be resumed if his condition improves.
Reuters reports British mechanized units began an attack on Bardia in Libya, about 15 miles inside Libya, with fierce fighting under way tonight.
A gas explosion levelled a one storey house in Tetreaultville east of Montreal killing Mrs. Ferdinand Menetta and seriously injuring her husband and two daughters. The blast, traced to escaping gas in the cellar, sent the family to hospital as officers investigated.
Athens reports a Royal Air Force attack on Durazzo Albania as Greece presses twin offensives toward Valona port on the Adriatic. Italian reserves counter attacked seven times but were repulsed. Front actions were local due to cold with fighting north of Argirocastro and Tepeleni and Kalisura progressing. Greek gains noted beyond Pogradetz.
London dispatch reports Albert Van Den Kieboor, born September 6 1914 in Takarumuka Japan, executed today for espionage for Germany. The case identifies him as a Dutch national.
Fresh omens of disaster haunt Italian forces in Albania as Greek advances threaten Tepeleni and Elbasani. A fall of Tepeleni could force evacuation of southern Albania, jeopardize Valona harbor and expose the Italian right flank to encirclement. Reports describe Italy using small craft to land troops at Valona with limited heavy equipment ashore.
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