17 Mar 1942
Page 1
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Newspaper
New Castle News
Location
New Castle, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Mar 17, 1942
Page
1
Russian forces repelled multiple German counterattacks south of Moscow as the Soviet front held firm. Radio reports say a Russian landing occurred on a Black Sea island, signaling continued Allied and Soviet pressure on Axis forces in the region.
The war department announced arrival of large air and ground units in Australia signaling an intended offensive against Japan. This mid night communique confirms American expeditionary forces have landed on the southwestern Pacific continent, part of a multi front strategy with forces also poised in Iceland and Ireland.
The Australian prime minister reported a new Japanese air raid on Port Darwin, Swiftly repelled by 14 heavy bombers in two seven craft waves, causing only slight damage and some casualties. Nearby, United Nations bombers including American and Australian planes hit the Dilli airfield in Portuguese Timor, scoring direct hits and damaging runways.
The War Department announced General Douglas MacArthur has arrived in Australia to take supreme command for the United Nations forces in the area. He travels with Mrs MacArthur and their son, joined by Maj. Gen. Richard Sutherland and other staff. Details noted no specifics on successors or further moves beyond confirming the leadership shift.
Moscow reported desperate Nazi counter-attacks repelled as Soviet forces push forward in key front sectors. The high command said troops continued their offensive and occupied several localities. German losses included 28 planes on March 14 and 57 Soviet airmen claimed in the period March 8–14. The Staraya Russa area saw the encirclement of a resistance point named N, described as very grave for the Nazis, with two German divisions involved. The radio noted stubborn enemy resistance as the Soviets drove forward.
With spring a week away, PA Newc Observes notes most birds that spend summers northward have returned. The morning temperature reached about 60 degrees, following yesterday's electric storm. An old weather adage links spring lightning to a drop in temperature and foul weather. Continued on Page Two.
United States weather statistics for the 24 hours ending at 9 am show a maximum temperature of 65 and a minimum of 50. Precipitation reads 0.37 inches with a river stage at 11.4 feet.
A series of tornadoes hit five states in the Midwest and South killing 118 and injuring about 1000 as communications collapsed in the hardest areas. Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois and Kentucky suffered the worst damage with Indiana also affected. Authorities warn totals may shift as lines are restored.
London officials said the German naval concentration on the Norwegian coast has been broken up for the time being. They credited recent British attacks on the battleship Tirpitz and the cruiser Prinz Eugen with easing the Nazi threat to the northern Russian supply route.
General Douglas MacArthur’s appointment as supreme United Nations commander in Australia sparks widespread approval in London. A London Daily Express front page and extensive coverage shapes British perception, with officials and citizens praising the decision as a major morale boost.
In Traverse City on March 17 a mother Mrs. Vern Nichols and four sons George 19 William 12 John 3 Edward 3 perished in a blaze. Father Vern Nichols and daughters Virginia Barbara and Mary were seriously burned and not expected to live, while another son Robert was away.
Death notices list Garve A Rowland 38 of A D2 King Avenue Ellwood City with Mrs Fred Frederick 77 of Ellwood City and Mrs John G McKim 82 of Ellwood City among the records dated Tuesday March 17 1942.
Army and civilian investigators report two separate B 17 crashes. In Oregon a crash 20 miles south of Pendleton killed three officers and seven enlisted men. In Idaho near Gowen Field two officers and two enlisted men died as the plane attempted to land. One crewman survived with injuries in Idaho. in Oregon one survivor died later from the incident.
Washington March 17 three way investigation into charges that representatives of various industries within the war production board obstructing plans for the nations all out war effort. Separate probes by House and Senate while Donald M Nelson heads his own inquiry.
Major Edgar Hamilton of the French Foreign Legion plans retirement after 25 years of service and return to New Castle once passage money and a boat are secured. His mother Mrs. Harriet G. Goodman reports the news via cablegram, noting his long wartime service and prior Lafayette Escadrille involvement.
London based Daily Mirror cites 300 Americans jailed in Stanley prison lasting six months under dire conditions. Dr Gordon King, former Hong Kong University professor, says malnutrition and scarce medical care threaten half the prisoners. Cells hold six to eight per unit with minimal rice and vegetables for two meals daily.
Pittsburgh’s rain swollen rivers stayed under flood stage today. Weatherman W S Brotzman predicted a crest near 22 feet at the point, three feet below flood level. The 1936 St Patrick’s Day flood reached 46 feet at the point, killed 80 Pennsylvanians and caused about $200 million damage.
The Navy announced that a medium sized United States merchant vessel was torpedoed off the Atlantic coast. No further details were disclosed.
A March 17 dispatch describes a sudden British air and naval attack on Rhodes off the Turkish coast. Italian defenders were surprised as shells hammered targets, reducing the Axis stronghold’s usefulness for the near term. Continued on Page Two.
The first national wartime draft lottery since 1918 begins at 6 p.m. with Brig. Gen. Hershey presiding and Secretary Stimson drawing the first numbers from a goldfish bowl. About 7,000 capsules will be opened, detailing enlistment order for roughly 9 million draftees. The drawing is expected to take 10 to 14 hours.
V. I. Mandich of Bessemer former Lawrence County treasurer was named Mercantile Appraiser for the county by Auditor General F. Clair Ross. He succeeds Joseph Wilkofsky of Ellwood City who resigned due to draft status and will begin work immediately as books must be completed by April 15.
Two American generals who flew with Gen. Douglas MacArthur to Australia fought beside him during the 14 week siege in the Philippines. Maj. Gen. Richard K Sutherland and Brig. Gen. Harold H George served closely with MacArthur on staff and in air operations roles.
Congress reacted with elation as news spread that General Douglas MacArthur had become supreme commander of Allied forces in Australia. Senators and representatives brightened, seeing in MacArthur a key to defeating Japan and turning the war toward victory.
President Roosevelt nominated Herbert Emmerick of Illinois to be administrator of the U S Housing Authority. He succeeds Nathan Straus who resigned recently.
Coast guard recovered the bodies of two seamen six miles offshore after debris and wreckage washed ashore at Atlantic City New Jersey. Believed to be from a tanker, the vessel may have fallen victim to Axis submarine attacks. Canberra reports Australian Air Minister Drakeford cites RAF personnel status in progress of war overseas.
Arthur Memeter describes a vivid spring scene with a maple budding under a blue sky and a wash of yellow, signaling winter’s end. He cherishes rare sunny days, predicts April warmth, and anticipates May flowers as spring arrives despite lingering storms.
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