09 Dec 1941
Page 1
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Newspaper
Portsmouth Herald
Location
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States of America
Date
Dec 09, 1941
Page
1
Reported enemy air raid near New York City prompts immediate evacuation of Mitchel Field and suspension of all radio stations. Information reflects wartime alert conditions and civilian defense measures at major air facilities.
A second air raid alarm sounded in New York City at 2 05 today. Civilians evacuated at Quonset Point and Mitchel Field. Schools in Greater Boston released children. Bethlehem Fore River plant evacuated with 18000 workers. Secretary Hull warned of a possible surprise attack as officials reported official word of enemy planes. Emergency refueling depots and civilian spotters mobilized across New England and Long Island.
European War Notes describes violent clashes around Tobruk as Italian forces press amid Libyan fighting. Rommel signals resumption of heavy actions in Libya with a German westward advance from Tobruk toward Idem and Bir el Gobi while British forces clear remaining pockets along the Libyan coast near Bardia. About 4,000 Italian troops are believed trapped along the coast.
About 300 to 400 men gathered at Portsmouth High School auditorium last night and 151 volunteered for an intensive three night air raid warden training starting Wednesday. Chief Air Raid Warden Frank J. Massey organized the meeting urging immediate preparation due to the Japanese threat. Leslie Paffrath from Concord outlined the defense setup and spoke to the group.
The Portsmouth City Council unanimously approved appointment of a defense committee and $2000 in funds during a wartime session led by Mayor Stewart E. Rowe. The body also urged Gov Blood to request U S troops to guard highways bridges water system and public utilities. Present were Councilmen Gardner Hersey Wood McNeil Palfrey Burkhardt Mayor Rowe and City Clerk Hopley with many city officials and Red Cross leaders in attendance.
Santa Claus arrives in Portsmouth on Monday December 15 at the 1 North Pale special at the railroad station. Portsmouth stores will stay open evenings from the 15th until Christmas as decided by the Portsmouth Merchants. Plans for the reception to Santa are being finalized.
All store lights and signs in the Portsmouth defense area must be out tonight and wardens will enforce the order. Prepare to blackout immediately on air raid signal. A meeting at City Hall at 7:30 will discuss protecting Fortsmouth school children. Supt. Harry L. Moore will outline plans developed over two months.
The notice outlines a warning sequence with ten second blasts at one minute intervals for eight minutes followed by an all clear signal of three blasts In case of warning citizens should shut off all lights stay off streets and go to the basement of their home or building
The Rochester area learns of relatives serving in World War II as reports from Honolulu Pearl Harbor and Manila reach home. Bernard Logan of Rochester is stationed at Hickam Field with Uncle Sam's forces. no word has yet arrived.
Morris Foye of Portsmouth, titled blackout chairman, has been ordered to post today to attend a New England blackout conference called by Colonel W. G. Knight USA Eng regional blackout director.
San Francisco area endured three air raid alarms with darkness and blackouts across the Bay, as reports linked enemy planes to a carrier and reconnaissance near the harbor. Interceptors failed to locate final positions while a coast to inland search extended toward San Jose.
Tonight mass meeting for women in the Junior High auditorium at 8 pm with speakers Frank J. Massey Portsmouth chief air raid warden and Frank Lloyd of Concord instructor at the State Air Raid Precaution school. Tomorrow air raid precautions class opens three evening sessions at 8 pm for men and women with speaker Thorsten Kalijarvi.
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