04 Jan 1941
Page 1
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Newspaper
Port Pirie Recorder
Location
Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia
Date
Jan 04, 1941
Page
1
Italian forces prepare a fresh line in central Albania after the fall of Valona, with desperate resistance anticipated as authorities seek to slow advances. Bulgarian and Albanian authorities report heavy fighting near the coast and strategic ports.
Australian press dispatch from London notes Italian forces constructing fortified lines north of Valens to the Yugoslav frontier as Greeks clash across Mokra Mountains and Skumbi Valley. Heavy artillery, mountain batteries, and sea bombings mark days of brutal fighting with Italian positions repulsed along Lin Elbasan road and upper Skumbi Valley.
William Law a 30 year old sitter from East Hawthorn was found burned to death in a car beside a mountain highway near Wantirna after a holiday at Torquay with his wife and child. Postmortem found no injuries suggesting murder. Police identified Law from the car number and a ground pickup. The couple had returned home nine days earlier amid concerns for his health and mood.
London reports describe a heavy Bomber Command raid on Bremen, the Reich’s second seaport, with 23 000 incendiaries and many high explosive bombs. The fires lit the night sky as British aircraft approached from 120 miles, leaving Bremen a raging furnace amid smoke and sirens.
Early morning reports state that Muserulians attacked four sections of the Bardia defenses. They were supported by tanks and penetrated Tatian lines as dawn broke.
Area Controller of Labor Mr. Conigrave and Chamber of Manufactures secretary Mr. Winterbottom say the peak demand for munition labor will arrive with Cheltenham Salisbury and Hendon plants. They note city drift as high wages draw men from rural roles, with South Australia factory workforce at 918,400 and 38,600 men to 9,800 women. Future Cheltenham Salisbury needs total 18,000 men and 2,000 girls while Hendon may employ 300 to 4 men and 1,800 girls. Rural workers total 41,421 men and 24,? women, with cultivation, dairying, and pastoral work detailed.
The submarine Thoudecbotr sank an Italian U boat that was escorted by three armed prawlers during a naval engagement.
London reports RAF strikes on Bardia and Derna in Libya with bombs bursting in target areas. Three planes destroyed at Gavala, fires at El Tmini, and a direct hit on a grounded plane at Derna. Romi claims only slight damage and no British casualties. Italians admit raids elsewhere with mixed results.
Moric aims to beat Gipsy King and Gold Watch in the Welter Handicap at Murray Bridge. Heavily considered after fifth in the Heirns dale Welter, Moric is seen as suited to tomorrow’s nine furlongs, with Gipsy King a capable country rival and Gold Watch riding momentum from Kadina. Other contenders include Ty, Princess Vitina, and Lady Veron, who may progress in the field.
Canberra reports Mr W M Hughes says a German spy network operates across Australia. He warns leakage to enemy raiders must be blocked and spies could be found in unexpected quarters. The navy minister urges arrests to curb the threat.
Senator Foll expressed skepticism about German raider captains in Australian and New Zealand waters knowing all British shipping routes. He cited a survivor’s account as disturbing but warned against loose talk that could reveal ship movements. He urged Australians to avoid boasting and keep information cautious.
Friday Capt Upton commander of the Rangitane agreed with the Minister of the Navy that the Pacific raiders had been getting effective intelligence from someone. The raiders' officers seemed to know all about the cargoes of the vessels they sank.
Lionel Jack Lasscock a 26 year old storeman from Royston Park appeared in Adelaide Police Court on three embezzlement charges. He pleaded guilty to stealing 13/8 on December 12 10/0 on December 16 and 15/3 on December 17 from Fuggith Jones Pty Ltd. Sentenced to two months in gaol to run concurrently.
The Ministry of Food announced a meat ration reduction to begin next Monday. The current 1/10 worth per head per week will drop to 1/16, with pork and most fats included. The Daily Telegraph notes widespread unofficial cuts by butchers amid shortages, while the Evening News reports North London shops closing or briefly opening due to lack of meat.
Government notes on a film review by Ron Williams describe native Libyan troops as poorly clothed and starved for water or food while Italian prisoners appear well fed and disciplined. The piece contrasts Italian equipment with poor preparation for modern warfare and shows Sidi Barrani as a ruined symbol of Rome’s North Africa power.
A series of health updates from Pirie Hospital report Clarence Tully of Pirie leaving for Ballarat, Donald Harris with a broken collarbone treated after a fall, J M Hunt expected to return home, Cpl L Grandison progressing in medical ward, G Branford discharged, Norman Oaklands recovering from skull fracture and able to sit up, Greek seaman Mr Skarvelis burned by methylated spirit, W McLean treated for a foot injury, R Harris foot crush expected back to work soon, Mrs Hartigan home from holidays, and D Lawrence remaining with her aunt for holidays.
Mr Gahan urged converting Pirie to Broken Hill line to standard gauge 84 inches claiming national benefit in emergencies. He said the project would start with Railways Commissioners, cost estimated at £369,000, and would create a continuous tail link between Brisbane and Kalgoorlie aiding iron ore traffic through Broken Hill despite stock delay talks.
Rain drenches the Murray region to Thursday Island and inland South Australia to Darwin. Drought broken in Broken Hill after severe conditions, with roads around Cockburn impassable. North eastern pastoral areas cheer as rains mark the best since February 1939 per Government Meteorologist. Cockburn reports a modest start to the rainfall.
Weather bulletin details yesterday’s readings with a high of 79.2 and a low near 9.2 as heavy rain soaks districts from Murray and Gippsland to Darling and Murrumbidgee. Dams fill, creeks run, multiple towns report inches of rainfall, and flood warnings extend across New South Wales and Victoria with forecasted continued rain.
Broken Hill reports a cloudburst at Eulslie near Wilcannia delivering ten inches of rain. At Monden measurements reached 170 points before the rain gauge was washed away.
Stock agents in Adelaide reported steady activity as pastoral districts recorded two to three inches of rain already. Agents described cheerful reactions from sheep and cattle men who hailed the gifts as timely and welcome in what proved to be a better year than expected. In Central Australia some areas continued to receive rainfall, signaling potential improvements for stock and grazing conditions.
Adelaide Friday. Mr Muirhead PM refused bond for Sarah Jane Foster 97 widow of Archer street North Adelaide after guilty pleas to unlawfully possessing December 21 allegedly stolen goods and larceny on December 20. Foster fined 4 pounds with 10 shillings costs on the first count and one pound with 10 shillings costs on the second.
Melbourne report states no Australian air crew trainees were seized when Nazi commerce raiders attacked ships in the Pacific. The Air Department said no Empire air scheme trainees were held. only New Zealand air crew were captured.
Friday inquiry heard Mrs Kelly refuse to answer questions directed by Wer Dy lttah cost. Judge ment found her guilty of hindering proceedings under a primary producers act. She argued she believed she was legally entitled to refuse to answer, claiming legal advice supported her.
Official report confirms Manrico’s reversal of form in the Christmas Handicap was explained. V R C stewards accepted the stable connections backed the horse for a similar amount on the occasion and were satisfied with the explanation.
A donation of £11 was received at The Recorder office yesterday for the British Air Raid Victims Fund, bringing the total to £1,028. Donations may be lodged at Pirie Town Council office or The Recorder and will be acknowledged in these columns. The fund's previous acknowledgments show £4,087 prior total and other listed contributions.
Fog and dust settled over Pitie yesterday as a light shower cleared the air. Clouds then broke and conditions improved. A brief period of unsettled weather gave way to clearer skies and calmer air.
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