17 Aug 1944
Page 1
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Newspaper
Portsmouth Herald
Location
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States of America
Date
Aug 17, 1944
Page
1
War Today argues Roosevelt should not compromise with Germany and Japan after surrender. It defends immediate occupation to disarm and stabilize, warning against postwar chaos and potential relocations. The piece stresses that occupation prevents future aggression and preserves order in a critical transition.
Chief Radioman Sores Ray Tweed, 42, granted an interlocutory divorce from Mary Frances Steed, 37, after fleeing Guam and hiding out for months. Judge Jacob Weinberger approved the decree dated August. The couple reportedly agreed to separate in 1941 while on Guam as American forces retook the island from Japan.
President Roosevelt arrived in Washington aboard his special train after a 53 day absence touring Hawaii and the Aleutians. He asserted that Germany and Japan cannot use Allied war status to avoid military occupation, discussed plans with military leaders and Hull, and said he would meet Congressional leaders but not file a formal report to Congress. He indicated he would see Vice President running mate Harry Truman if he is in Washington, and dismissed political implications of his journey.
London August 17 AP rescue squads remove the dead from debris of houses shops wrecked buses and streets after one of the heaviest night barrages of flying bombs in two weeks. Attacks resumed at dawn as rescue work continued with RAP fighters stopping several missiles along the southeast coast as bathers and picnickers sought safety.
Augusta Maine Aug 17 AP fire fighters deployed bulldozers to reach a forest fire sweeping the north end of Matraseunk Lake near Medway as lines were blasted toward the flames. Commissioner Rendall said crews had an even chance of stopping a fire that has burned three to four thousand acres along a pond chain near the Canadian border. Soldiers joined regular crews to halt spread into dense pulp islands, with about 40 fires ravaging a central Maine belt.
The eighth day of extreme heat hits New England as Maine and Plymouth County Massachusetts face wilted potato crops and near 190 degree temperatures. Gov. Blood warns of possible bans as foresters inspect woodlands statewide while coastal areas see some relief from sea breezes and scattered rain. Boston, Portland, Manchester and Portsmouth endure near 100 degree days with no cooling until tomorrow night.
Seacoast towns including Hampton New Castle North Hampton Rye Seabrook and Seabrook Beach set local War Chest quotas from August 21 to September 9. Quotas range from 240 to 2500 with appointed chairmen and co chairs for each precinct. National War Fund aids the USG United Seamen's service War Prisoner's aid United Nations relief and refugee relief amid rising armed forces demands.
Bad news for Japan came from three directions today as Allied air strikes hit 11 enemy bases and Nimitz warned of continued non stop attacks. Roosevelt vowed unconditional surrender and occupation, while Nimitz said Guam Saipan and Tinian would serve as springboards for further assaults. Tokyo acknowledged heavy American bombers and reported raids near Bonins but said victory would still be theirs.
Acting War Secretary John J McGloy announced totals for American casualties in Normandy from June 5 to Aug 6: 16,434 killed 76,335 wounded and 19,704 missing. He said German forces in the region are largely shredded and that the southern Franco operation is ahead of schedule and well coordinated with Normandy efforts.
London reports American heavy bombers from Italy bomb Ploesti the Romanian oil hub after a massive RAF assault of 5,600 tons on Kiel and Stettin from England. In Bombay Gandhi and Jinnah plan a Saturday meeting to discuss partition into Autonomous Hindu and Muslim states, a potential turning point in Indian history.
The senate reappointed Irving Ralston as postmaster of Greenland, marking his 25th anniversary in April. Born in Nova Scotia on August 8, 1877, he moved to Greenland at 18, opened a slacksmith shop in 1899, and later served as tax collector and school board treasurer. He and his wife have two children, Frank G. and Russell A. Rolston.
A nephew of Baron Von Richthofen, famed German ace, was captured with 563 other troops at a radar station in Brittany by two American officers and two unarmed civilians. The event was announced today from London in the August 17 report.
Mr and Mrs Raymond E Gerry of 35 Rogers Road Kittery received war department notice that their son Philip A Gerry Seaman USNR was wounded in action last month He is in a hospital in England and is now up and around Gerry enlisted Jan 2 1943 trained at Newport R I overseas May 1943 participated in African Sicilian Salerno Anzio and Normandy campaigns He has two brothers in service FGt Oliver E Gerry USA in Italy and Pvt Clinton L Gerry USA at Fort Knox Ky
Allied forces tighten hold on northern France as Chartres Dreux Orleans and Chateaudun fall within 40 to 65 miles of Paris. Patton’s columns push toward the Seine while Canadian troops seize Falaise. German resistance weakens as the Normandy pocket narrows and Falaise falls.
Rockingham County commissioners took the proposal to close the county jail and move prisoners to Brentwood house of correction under advisement after a morning public hearing at the courthouse. Opponents included Sheriff Simes-Frink and Judge Waldron with others weighing in. supporters urged the move citing security and cost. Judge Waldron warned against eroding courthouse security and suggested continuing the jail in Portsmouth. Continued on Page Five.
Secretary of State Cordell Hull denied that the Big Four plan to coerce other nations in postwar peace. He countered Governor Dewey's fears as unfounded and said the Dumbarton Oaks talks aim to discuss feasible methods for a general international organization based on sovereign equality.
Allied forces drive a 50 mile wide front 30 miles inland along southern France coast. Major General Alexander Patch says troops near Toulon and Cannes with several towns in Allied hands as air landings reported northwest of Cannes. German broadcasts confirm shelling from nearby heights amid fighting over key coastal towns and inland communities.
Neal O Hara comments from New York on August summer folklore and a satirical letter to a prominent figure. He mocks Thanksgiving timing, mocks Japanese war effort, jokes about tree surgery and Mussolini’s health, recalling Mussolini’s 1940 France stabbing and ongoing war.
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