10 Dec 1941
Page 1
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Newspaper
Portsmouth Herald
Location
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States of America
Date
Dec 10, 1941
Page
1
The article argues against viewing Japan as invincible, noting early Pacific successes and the Philippines. It outlines three reasons for Japanese strength: surprise attack, favorable bomber fortunes, and a reckless, death by action war stance. It warns this bold strategy could yield great rewards or disasters and hints Berlin’s influence on strategy.
The fragment lists astronomical times and lighting instructions. It notes sunset at 4.12 pm, moon phase as first quarter, and vehicle lights to be on at 4.42 pm with rises and other daily times. It appears as a dated page fragment from a periodical.
About 1,000 women gathered in Portsmouth at the Junior High auditorium for an address by Frank Lloyd of St. Paul’s Concord on civilian defense. One hundred twenty registered for air-warden instructions to be given over the next three evenings.
Residents in Portsmouth worry about relatives in the war zone. Names linked to Pearl Harbor and Schofield Barracks include James RB. Copley USMC, Paddy a former Ports mouth Junior High janitor and baseball player, and Andrew Handlen tied to the USS Oklahoma. Others: William Lomas, Lillie Watson Hem, Robert Sausser, Elizabeth Brackett Greenland, and William E. Service. One family reports a father working at Portsmouth Navy Yard and others in the Philippines or Hawaii.
More than 400 residents attended a Somersworth Legion Hall meeting to organize civilian defense efforts. Mayor Alfred Boucher outlined duties and committee heads while Rev. Arthur Snow urged service. Volunteers signed cards and shared contact details. others were urged to register at the police station.
Landing of U S troops on Luzon follows an initial report of victory in the Philippines. The Royal Navy suffers a devastating blow as the battleship Prince of Wales and battle cruiser Repulse are sunk off Malaya, reportedly by air attack with over 3,000 lives lost.
The Piscataqua Ski club meets tomorrow night at 7 39 in Painters hall for a first aid lesson by Charies Spaulding. Refreshments and dancing follow the program, then a ski class.
Portsmouth citizens are urged to attend the opening session of a three night air raid precautions training program at the Junior High School auditorium. Deputy Ross Stevens introduces Professor Thorsten Balijaryi. Chief Warden Massey leads the first class on duties equipment and stations.
Col Walter K Dunn stated there are no anti-aircraft guns near Portsmouth. He explained that centralized mobile units are deployed to danger spots as needed to assemble a stronger force quickly, while local machine guns guard against low altitude planes.
AP reports two siren alarms in San Francisco and flares dropped over the city as a blackout neared completion. Simultaneous air raid warnings echoed in New York, with officials denying enemy activity and noting local drills may have caused alarms.
Portsmouth authorities urged residents not to phone officials during emergencies to avoid tying up lines. Manager William M Hoggan said the flood of calls could hinder civilian spotters and military orders. The telephone company mobilized hundreds of operators after alarm triggers and school closures, marking the busiest day in New England switchboard history.
Officials disclosed a new permit rule for civilians in the Fors land area, requiring special army mission approval and contact with the district air raid information center to file flight plans for air raid spotters. The Portsmouth Navy yard commandant, Adm John D Wainwright, declared any plane over the yard would be treated as an enemy craft and fired upon.
Japanese parachutists seized the northwestern Luzon port of Vigan and sea borne troops landed near Aparri in a major early 1941 Pacific operation. U S and Filipino forces moved to counter the invasion as bombing hit Manila districts including Nichols air depot Fort William McKinley and Nielson airport.
War bulletin from multiple cities reports British forces recaptured El Adein, declaring the Tobruk relief an established fact. Other items note Japanese penetration in Hong Kong halted, Sicily air raids with minor damage, Argentina and Chile fortifying the Strait of Magellan, Italian air exploits against RAF, and German forces drawing back to winter lines on the Russian front.
To Every Portsmouth Citizen War has come to us. Not only on distant shores but right here in our Portsmouth and vicinity we are in daily danger from now on. There is no need to become hysterical about it. Hysteria will only make matters worse. But we all should do something about it. Each of us should find a place in our Civilian Defense organization and fill that place to the best of our ability. Advance training and knowledge alone will safeguard us if disaster strikes. Find your place and learn your duties. Tonight, the first of our air raid precaution training classes starts at the Junior High school. Attend for your own sake, for the sake of families and friends and learn what you should do. Time is short. Learn now and save much suffering ard sorrow if disaster strikes, J.D. HARTFORD, Publisher.
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