01 Jan 1940
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 26 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Port Pirie Recorder
Location
Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia
Date
Jan 01, 1940
Page
1
Finnish forces strike at a key Russian railway hub as Moscow dispaches its best corps to the front. Intense cold cripples supply lines and shrouds western armies in quiet readiness. The action signals deliberate Soviet withdrawal from exposed positions while Russia redeploys units to critical fronts.
In a wartime dispatch Uruguay orders the German supply steamer Tacoma to set sail or be interned as Allied pressure grows. Finnish troops push in Russia and threaten the Leningrad to Murmansk railway while Moscow forces head toward the Mann erheim Line amid frigid Western Front conditions. Marshal Goering claims air raids await Fuhrer permission and reports limited German petrol activity as a French ambush in the Vosges nets a German officer and a NCO.
Paris reports a freeze of 28 below steering, with reduced activity by courier parties across the Western Front. Allies stand to their guns awaiting the old rer passage while air force aerodromes are snowbound and nearly immobilized.
Finnish forces continue advances in the Karelia region as Soviet casualties reach about 100000 with many wounded or incapacitated by cold. Reports claim Finnish guards crossed the frontier while Russian losses include 300 tanks and around 209 aircraft.
Fragmented wire copy reports the Soviet army sending best troops to the Baltic frontier, Finnish forces crossing toward Russian territory, and fears of a push to cut rail links. Helsinki dispatches note food supply issues and heavy bombing over Gulf of Finland towns as Moscow radio confirms Western Front activity.
Australia sends nearly 200 men to England to join a new overseas squadron. The group was inspected at a Royal Air Force station by the Chief of the RAF Coastal Command who praised their command. They will pilot Sunderland flying boats from a seaport base, conducting anti submarine patrols and general survey flights.
Nazi air force leader boasts of magnetic mines dropped along the British coast. Marshal says planes will attack Britain from the air when ordered, and history will witness such a swift aerial campaign.
The Graf Spec was scuttled off the harbor after taking crew ashore and is ordered to depart Uruguay within 24 hours. The vessel remains under guard on a submarine warship with strict penalties for noncompliance.
French sloop under Capt Dubor aided by a British seaplane to sink a submarine after depth charges and swift pursuit. British steamer Ashmouth escapes a torpedo attack in the Bay of Biscay as the U‑boat shells the ship. survivors rescued by Italian vessel and a French warship later joins the action, with the submarine believed sunk.
A single paragraph from the Australian Associated Press notes Marshal Goering’s absence from Germany’s Christmas rites while Alter, von Brauchitsch, and Hesn ant br. fineihlels address the front. It reports French mentions of Goering’s alignment with Soviet friendship and Hitler’s cooling tone toward Goering. Gestapo traced correspondence. Goering kept in the back as tensions rise over Russo German relations.
A 24 hour thermometer reading ended at 2.30 am showing 60. No further context or accompanying values are provided.
Personal notices from Mount Isa visitors in Pirie list Mr Maurice Jenkins and family hosting at J. Firmin Jenkins home, Shirley Prosser leaving, W Malyche and E Morgan camping at Fishermen's Bay, Leo Duffy visiting relatives, Mrs Honeybone camping trip, W Chisholm and R C Henderson travel on trains, Miss Joan Medlin visiting relatives, Walter Gribble health discharge, Peterborough railwayman leaving Pirie Hospital after weeks, A W Likow and AB Hunter to Appila sports, Benonds of Adelaide visiting.
At about 7 30 last night at The Terrace and Alexander street two intoxicated men threw two empty flagons at tree trunks in Memorial Park and later onto the roadway near the hospital corner. Motorists ran over shards until Federal Hotel staff cleared the surface. Police arrived on pushbikes but the pair had disappeared toward town.
A brief notice addressing Recorder readers mentions May 1940 as a reference point with implied observance or message. No further details provided in readable text.
Residents observed a quiet New Year's Eve with no major disruptions. Local authorities reported a calm countdown in parks and markets as 1940s era celebrations lingered, while families gathered at home to welcome the new year.
New Year’s Eve passed with quiet streets and few salutes as 1939 began. Revelers mostly stayed home or attended private gatherings, while waterfront areas saw only a few whistles and scattered crowds. Public balls and concerts continued with limited attendance, including events at the island and Arctic Palatz, and a Salvation Army band planned performances into the evening.
About 150 soldiers tried to storm the Communist Party platform while police kept them back. Tomatoes were thrown at speakers. Deputy leader of the Country Party H. V. C. Thorhy was present and commented on the incident.
The annual New Year’s Eve function at Pine Bowling Green drew about 100 attendees. Members and their guests enjoyed humor and banter, with prizes awarded to Nesdumes U. Yelland and G. Bruck buritze for top performs.
A club evening at Wheat And Silver featured a guest list of local bowlers and visitors from out of town. The event included a supper in the clubhouse, a presentation to Mr. P. H. Prassee leaving Pirie, and a closing on the green with songs and cheers as the year turns.
In this year’s war budget the Defence Ministry reports 860 million pounds allocated in nine months. About 75 percent of the total is devoted to British defences and related cases, underscoring the emphasis on security measures during the period.
A compact report notes a provocative slogan linked to a regime anniversary. The piece references a public display or statement tied to propagandist rhetoric and year-end commemorations without detailing violence or specific acts.
Latest reports from the Turkish earthquake area confirm extensive death and destruction. Shocks hit Amasya and Smyrna, with Turkmen village survivors numbered in the few. Ordazjan relief train arrived as thousands froze to death in 30 degree below zero temperatures. Rescue efforts focus on scattered survivors over vast terrain.
Rescue efforts continue as floods strike towns in Asia Minor. Cold weather worsens survivors' toll with hospitals strained and trains evacuating refugees toward Ankara. Casualties reported in a large town include a vast portion of its population killed and many wounded. officials fear more deaths.
Victoria set South Australia 471 run chase with Beam and Ring forging a bold partnership. Burton led the attack with five wickets for 9 as South Australia reached 213 for 2 at stumps, with attendance around 29 460 on day two of the Shield clash in Melbourne.
January roster for St John Ambulance Brigade Pike members shows weekly patrols at Lowmontown Beach and Swatting Federal Dock with named officers, plus a miscellaneous cricket style scorelike list of players and figures.
A survey of Pirie shipping for the year ends shows ore shipments higher than in recent years and strong first half momentum from concentrates. Imports include coal, coke, timber, and a record March for tin and lead concentrates. 1939 saw five Canadian ore cargoes and large timber arrivals, with total general cargo 5 338 tons and 242 vessels docking, similar to 1957 levels.
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