MacArthur Heads Australian Defense in Major War Command
Australia accepts American command of all defenses under General Douglas MacArthur as war fronts reach northern shores. Lt. Gen. George H. Brett and Vice Admiral Herbert F. Leary join MacArthur’s trio directing air and sea forces. MacArthur arrives from the Philippines with staff, while Curtin and Forde speak of resilience and preparations for an Allied offensive from Australia.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Melbourne
Australia
Douglas Macarthur
Commonwealth
Bataan
MacArthur
United Nations
South- West Pacific
Singapore
George H. Brett
Australia-New Zealand
John Curtin
United States
Herbert F. Leary
Anzac Zone
Darwin
R. K. Sutherland
Harold H. George
Canberra
Alice Springs
South Australia
Lloyd Lehrbas
Army
Philippines
Lehrbas
Brett
Curtin
New York
CBS
States
General MacArthur
Southwest Pacific
London
Washington
Francis M. Forde
Roosevelt
Planes to Japs in Burma Reinforcements Stressed by British
London report cites British military commentator noting strong Japanese reinforcements in planes and personnel from Java. He calls Tokyo’s claim of air superiority exaggerated as Burma battle nears, while MacArthur receives cautious praise as UN supreme commander in the southwest Pacific. The Ran gong Prome corridor remains the main Japanese drive, south of Taikkyi near Rangoon.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Burma
Java
Tokyo
Douglas MacArthur
United Nations
Southwest
Pacific
Australia
Rangoon
New Delhi
India
Upper Burma
Rangoon-Prome Road
Taikkyi
Prome
Extremely Difficult Task Faces MacArthur Down Under
Washington reports military experts warn MacArthur faces a formidable challenge directing the battle for Australia. They note heavy Japanese odds despite U S troop arrivals and MacArthur shifting to the theater. Analysts expect a dynamic defense with mobile counter strikes and strong air support, but warn of a long coast line, supply hurdles, and the risk of Japanese beachheads along Australia’s extensive coastline. The strategy hinges on sustaining reinforcements to prevent a major Japanese offensive.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Douglas MacArthur
Australia
United Nations
MacArthur
Philippines
Darwin
Brisbane - Sydney- Melbourne
United States
Bataan
India
Massi
Roops
China
Russia
Soviet
Three Nazi U Boats Sink American Merchant Ship
Three enemy submarines attacked a medium size American merchant ship off the Atlantic coast early Sunday. The ship sank after two torpedoes hit the engine room, killing six crew members. Thirty three survivors were rescued at Morehead City after drifting on lif rafts for three to nine hours.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Norfolk
Atlantic
Fifth Naval District
Morehead City
N. C
Ad ml to warn ships as Bay of Biscay zone closed
The Admiralty announced a danger area in the Bay of Biscay stretching from Brest to Lands End and beyond. The 160000 square mile zone excludes a 20 mile strip off the Spanish coast and covers vast Atlantic waters southwest of England. Vessels entering the area sail at their own risk.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Admiralty
Bay of Biscay
Atlantic Ocean
England
Britain
French
Brest
Bishop's Rock
Lands End
Cornwall
Atlantic
Spain
No Men In Third Draft Called Before June
March 18 report states that of 145000 Maryland men, all signed order numbers in the anti Selective Service lottery. about 15 expected to be called for military training by June. Local boards to begin sending questionnaires to men with low numbers in May, but no orders issued until June. State quotas for April and May filled by men registered in 1940 and 1941.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Baltimore
Maryland
State Selective Service
White House rejects McNear bid for in person arbitration reply
Washington reports the White House declined George P. McNear Jr. request to present to President Roosevelt his railroad’s response to the arbitration demand. The Toledo, Peoria and Western Railroad faces a dispute with its employees and had sought a personal meeting to discuss the matter.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
White House
George P. McNear
Toledo, Peoria and Western Railroad
Roosevelt
Gas deliveries cut twenty percent effective tomorrow
Local filling station operators prepare for a twenty percent cut in gasoline deliveries starting tomorrow. Stations may close one day a week, likely Sunday, and base reductions on December to February three-month averages. Regulators favor Sunday closings and 7 am to 7 pm hours, with priorities for emergency and government vehicles.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Baltimore
Frederick
Liberty Road
Four Army Planes Crash In Flames Near Lima
Four Army planes crashed in flames six miles east of Lima shortly before noon today. There were apparently no survivors. A reporter at the scene telephoned the Lima News with the initial details and the state highway patrol sent officers to investigate.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lima
Lima News
State Highway Patrol
Draft Lottery Ends After Overnight Draw at 7 10 A M
Washington March 18 the nations first wartime draft lottery concluded at 7 10 A M eastern war time with 6 998 numbers drawn. Officials may add capsules to reach 7 000 as misprint corrections moved numbers. Albert Carter of Albany Ga drew the last number and Secretary Stimson drew the first. The process ordered the call order for men 20 to 44 who had not registered in 1940 41.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Selective Service
Albert Carter
Albany
Georgia
Stimson
Lewis B. Hershey
Hershey
Foldfish Bowl
Army
Navy
Nlinois
Lee ‘R. Robins
Des Plaines
West Coast
Fred Astaire
Michigan
Frank Murphy
Murray D. van Waggoner
Allies Sink Japanese Fleet Near Salamaua Lae New Guinea
Washington reports American and Australian air forces smashed a Japanese invasion force near Salamaua and Lae. 28 Japanese vessels were sunk or damaged, including 12 warships, with only one Allied plane lost. Submarine Shark presumed lost. Sea Lion damaged and demolished. destroyer Stewart destroyed to prevent capture. Additional ships sunk or damaged and numerous smaller craft and air facilities harmed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Navy
Salamaua
Lae
New Guinea
Pacific
Louis Shane
Tacoma
Wash
Cavite
Philippines
U. S
Stewart
Dutch Indies
Soerabaja
Army to issue general reviews of military situation
The Office of Facts and Figures announced a wartime information policy permitting broad public release of military and production information. It allows casualty lists by locality, withholdings on ranks and unit assignments, and promises frequent War Production Board production communiqués to gauge progress.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Office of Facts and
Off
Navy
War Production Board
Beaverbrook to visit the United States for war effort
London reports Lord Beaverbrook former British Minister of War Production will travel to the United States. He will assist with pooling United Nations resources and perform duties assigned by the War cabinet under Oliver Lyttelton while not taking a diplomatic role or cabinet seat.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Lord Beaverbrook
United States
Beaverbrook
United Nations
War Cabinet
Churchill
Washington
Capt
Oliver Lyttelton
Lyttelton
Lord Halifax
Frederick High Raises Defense Stamp Funds to $4500
Frederick High School students launched a January campaign to buy defense stamps with a $6000 goal. They report $4500 raised so far, with purchases funded entirely by the students of the school.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Frederick High School
Roosevelt urges more parades and bands at Washington event
President Roosevelt told reporters at a press conference that the nation should wave the flag and show more enthusiasm in work, calling for a few more parades and a few more bands to participate.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Roosevelt
Also Mentioned on This Page
Leary
The
United
Arthur
U.S
British Admiralty
Moscow