21 Dec 1942
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 21 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Port Pirie Recorder
Location
Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia
Date
Dec 21, 1942
Page
1
London dispatch notes little infantry fighting likely in Tunisia for a time. Allied planes raid Bizerta and Tunis to disable shipping and stores and to wreck communications. German and Italian task is to reinforce and hold lines as Rommel may hurry to Tunis to aid the defense.
Confused fighting rages about 100 miles west of El Agheila as British units harry Axis forces while RAF gains air superiority. Roads along the coast are cleared to speed the advance toward Wadi Matratin and trap a Nazi force in the rear.
Allied and Axis clash sharpens as patrols increase on both sides. British forces push deeper into Axis-held areas while supply lines are pressured. Bizerta again hit by heavy air sorties with Allied claims of a cruiser hit off the Tunis naval base. Long range Allied fighters downed five Axis transports moving from Sicily toward Tunisia.
London dispatches describe heavy clashes near Kiev with reports of German forces advancing and Soviet counterattacks. Allied guards hold strategic areas west of Kiev while German units press near Stalingrad and in the Cau casus, with Soviet forces claiming multiple enemy setbacks and air losses. The central front remains strained as reports indicate intensified combat and ongoing aerial engagements.
Russian reports claim German forces suffer heavy losses near Smolensk and Vyazma as winter fighting continues. Both sides use ski troops and dive bombers while the Smolensk Vyazma railway corridor remains a critical supply line. Russian figures allege thousands killed, dozens of tanks and dozens of guns lost by the Germans.
In Papua the airfield area of the Bunswelor saw the heaviest fighting on Friday as patrol activity surged on the western flank near Gone. Enemy remnants at Kusmusi River estuary were bombed and strafed by allied planes supporting ground operations in the Buna sector.
A historical notice lists on duty pairs for today and tomorrow in the Vohinker Air Observers Corps. Names include G. Ander, C. Berry, J. Madigan, H. Sharp, W. Smallacombe, J. T Jones, G. H. Stephens, H. J. Hannah, Benton, Branford, Brakenridge, Sherry, Murphy, Watts, May, Nielsen, Swan, Bristow, Fox, and Manser with specific hourly shifts from noon today through 12 noon tomorrow.
Justice Bonney in the Divorce Court laments the decline in divorce numbers and blames both wives and men for the troubled state of marriages. He notes an increase in separations and questions the influence of husbands' absence on the divorce trend.
The Pine Homing Society social gathered a large attendance Friday night with H Munn as chairman and C Eley among the top table officials. Speakers praised the broader scope of the South Australian Homing Pigeon Association, donors, and railway support, and trophies were awarded to numerous winners across Cockburn, Ivanhoe, and Derby races, with special prizes for youth and ladies races.
Rev. Harry Wood delivered a Christmas sermon in Pirie churches on the inn at Bethlehem and the need for room for the Christ child. He warned of a world driven by war and urged a humane, faith-led approach, hoping for a peaceful year ahead and less focus on conflict. Congregations sang carols, the choir performed an anthem, and Vera Sudkamp sang, with Mr. and Mrs. C. Easton assisting.
A choir of 46 children performed carols and Christmas hymns yesterday afternoon at Central Mission. Directed by Mr. H. Uren, the voices offered solos and group numbers from volumes including Combat's carols and Orford Carol Beak with pieces such as Unto Us a Boy Is Born and How Great Our Saviour Bethlehem. The program concluded with the favorite number where the children waved and sang in unison.
Weekly war commentary notes Allied advances in Papua and Tripolitania with Rommel’s forces pulled back in Tunisia. Japanese pockets at Buna and Sanananda remain surrounded as Allied air and naval pressure tightens. In Europe, Montgomery’s forces advance after a German retreat, while Soviet defenses hold against renewed German attacks near Stalingrad and Veliki.
In a well attended Vie sib-brancht meeting the Painters and Decorators Division discussed the resignation of secretary Mr Heaslip after several years as AF Miemo representative. Mr Keily Quilty was appointed to the new post, with Mr LG. Bite ketal and Mr C A Sibly speaking on the outgoing secretary’s service. Mrs Heastty praised the union’s work and hoped the Sick and Accident Fund would continue to serve workers.
Smelters Bowls Club announces progress for the singles handicap tournament. The draw features Chapelhowry Wenel Somersedy Robinson Pettiman Hosking Brown v Lley. A patriotic carnival is planned for December with teams chosen by the president and vice president. The event begins at 10 30 am.
Mr A D Bust of Alten Street Solomrontowe is a patient in Pirie Hospital medical ward as a daily. Thonpen C Yeten Soule gee attended a Pirie Whyalla branch Federated Ironworkers Association meeting held this week.
Soluilantown residents report a greatly improved beach after a Saturday sand resurfacing project. S Warking bey led 30 workers who carted in sand from across the river and redistributed it along the shore to high-need spots. Workers labored under strong heat to finish the task.
Recorder notes cheques totaling 50 for charity distributed via Ateet branch to Seamen's Institute and Soldiers Reception Committee. Donations covered Mothers and Matrons Health Association, Bush Nursing Society, Ladies Benevolent Society, Returned Sailors and Soldiers, and Aliens Association. Committee praises efforts, authorizing repairs and re-dressing of surfaces damaged by wear.
Prests Limited advertises ladies handbags in leather felt and tapestry with prices from 12/6 to 79/6, photo frames assorted sizes from 2/3 to 4/9, talc and dusting powder from 1/ to 1/1, bottles of perfume from 1/4 to 14/9, imitation jewellery from 9d to 37/6, ladies brush sets from 49/6 to 62/- each, and boxed stationeries from 1/9 to 6/6 per box.
Readable prices list items from Manchester section D Oyleys selling ready made curtains lace table covers lamp shades and floor rugs. The catalog includes chenille tea cosies candlewick bedspreads lace cushions and various blankets with prices spanning from 1 shilling 3 pence to 75 per pair.
Listing of department items including combination notebooks wallets and identity holders priced at 17 shillings for each set, gent’s sets from 16 to 50 shillings, money belts from 7 to 22 shillings, shaving bowls, and cigarette cases with various unit prices from the Sil ta catalog.
A scanned sale listing shows items from hardware and crockery to gent’s smoking pipes including safety razors, sets of carvers, cake forks, odd cups and saucers, brass comports, Pyrex dishes, electric reading lamps and cases of cutlery with varied sale dates and prices. Also mentions junior students’ desks among items.
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