War Today: Far East Stakes and Pacific Battle Reflections
The column discusses Japanese advances on Hong Kong and Singapore, warning of new risks to the Philippines and the wider Pacific strategy. It weighs Allied burdens, potential reinforcements, and the impact of Allied victories in Africa and the Mediterranean on future German moves.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Knox
Annapolis
Pearl Harbor
Japan
Pacific
Dewitt MacKenzie
Herr Hitler
Africa
Mediterranean
Weather and Daily Time Adjustments Noted
The report records standard time with Friday December 12 Sunset at 4.15 pm and sunrise at 7.09 am. It notes a high tide around 11.40, a subsequent 12.10 time, and a reference to lights off vehicles at 4.47 pm.
Falling Hongkong Hints British Defenses Collapse Threatening Victory
The Japanese claim to have captured half of Hongkong amid heavy fighting as Britain faces the possible loss of its Far East stronghold. Reports from Tokyo and London indicate Japanese forces are advancing and British resistance is weakening, with a small garrison still defending the colony.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Associated Press
Britain
Far East
Hongkong
Tokyo
Saigon
Daniel
Orient
London
Nazis Retreat In Russia And North Africa
German forces face setbacks across the central front as Soviet counteroffensive makes major gains. Helsinki reports claim German troops pulled from Finland while Red Army advances near Leningrad Murmansk railway. In Libya, British forces seize Derna airport as Axis troops retreat toward Derna and Bengasi.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Associated Press
Adolf Hitler
Russia
North
Africa
Helsinki
Finland
Onega
Ladoga
Leningrad-Murmanske
Derna
Tobruk
Nok mEger
Mekili
Dera “Na
Bengasi
Gulf of
Sirte
Dera
Navy Declines Gift Day at Yard Offer Amid Patriotism
Rear Adm. John D. Wainwright announced Portsmouth Navy Yard will not accept a plan for employees to work Sunday without pay to aid the National Defense effort. Secretary Knox cited existing statutes as the reason, noting gratuitous labor cannot be accepted. The move began with 350 workers at the foundry and grew to all 116 shops planning Sunday work before the telegram. The yard normally operates seven days but uses staggered shifts and two days off per week.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Secretary of the Navy
Frank Knox
John D. Wainwright
USN
Portsmouth Navy Yard
Navy
Knox
J. A. Perkins
Navy Yard
Portsmouth Witnesses Bomb Demonstration
Nearly 1,000 Portsmouth residents watched a demonstration on extinguishing incendiary bombs at the South playground. Led by Theodore in. Gunn, New Hampshire fire underwriters inspector, magnesium from paper bags was ignited and fought with water jets, soda acid extinguishers, carbon tetrachloride devices, and sand. Gunn explained that water sprays fuel hydrogen release, so sprays slow explosions but do not extinguish the fire.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Portsmouth
South Playground
Theodore In. Gunn
New Hampshire
Board of Fire Underwriters
John W. Hopley
New Hampshire Gas and Electric Company
Gunn
Ginn
Mail That Christmas Card Now Postmaster Appeal
Postmaster Peter J. Hickey urged patrons to mail all Christmas cards and packages by Saturday night to assure delivery by Christmas. He noted strained facilities and hundreds of extra workers, detailing added staff at Harbor defenses and the navy yard, with temporary hires for the holiday rush.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Peter J. Hickey
Post Office
Navy Yard
Man Defaults Bail At Municipal Court
Walter D. Gould of Dorchester defaulted on a $25 bail after missing a municipal court session on a charge of operating a car without a license. Roslyn D. Miller of Maplewood Avenue was fined $5 and $4.70 costs for driving without a license. Leo Bishop of Dover was fined $35 and $6.42 costs for overloading his truck. Earl Campbell of Hyde Park and Willard S. Campbell of Peabody, Mass., each paid $5 plus $4.70 costs for speeding.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walter D. Gould
Dorchester
Roslyn
D. Miller
Maplewood Avenue
Leo Bishop
Dover
Earl . Campbell
Hyde Park
Willard S. Campbell
Peabody
Mass
First World War Poem Aids War Drive Again
A poem that aided the First World War Red Cross drive is contributed by Mrs. Frank G. Jimenez a reader from Portsmouth Herald Rochester M H to support the Second World War drive. The poem was written while she lived in White River Junction Vermont and was widely reprinted then.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Frank G. Jimenez
Portsmouth Herald
Rochester, M. H
Jimenez
White River Junction
Defense Bonds Call to the Tightwad in Wartime
Poet Genevieve Jimenez scolds the frugal Mr Tightwad for hoarding money during war. She urges buying defense bonds and supporting the Red Cross, arguing soldiers will return with or without funds and those who saved money should have given more. The verse stresses national duty, sacrifice, and pride.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Red Cross
Portsmouth Red Cross War Drive Aims to Surpass Quota
Portsmouth citizens rally to exceed the 16 000 Red Cross disaster relief goal as the campaign heats up. Chairperson John H Greenaway reports strong local support from volunteers, businesses, and individuals. The thermometer climbs as headquarters at 48 Daniels Street opens with leaders guiding the distribution and drive schedule through Friday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Portsmouth
John H. Greenaway
Red Cross War Disaster Relief Committee
Red Cross
Red Mercury
Market Square
Louise Stef
Motor Corps
Daniels Street
Mary Reginald
Priday
Robert Bamberger
Isabel Wyatt
Edward T. Wendell
Portsmouth Postoffice Cancellations Reach High Total
Cancellations at the Portsmouth postoffice for the week up to noon today total 169,997 as recorded by the cancellation machine. The figures show daily totals: Monday 34,312, Tuesday 36,416, Wednesday 46,703, Thursday 62,566.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Portsmouth
Newsboy's Bike Stolen From Summer Street Yard
Herald carrier Stillman Matott reports his Elgin bicycle with maroon frame and silver fenders was taken from his back yard between 4:45 and Bedlock Wednesday afternoon. If seen, observers should take action.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Stillman Matott
Summer Street
Herald
Bedlock
World War Strategy Moves Shortlisted For Global Conflict
Allied leaders discuss a proposed world war strategy to concentrate military and economic power against the Axis. Talks accelerate toward a potential supreme war council with sessions likely next month.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Axis
Supreme War Council
Clement R.atlee
House of Commons
United States
Caribbean
Annapolis Graduation Draws New Hampshire Maine Families
Families from Maine and New Hampshire traveled to Annapolis Maryland to witness the United States Naval Academy commencement exercises. Armistead Dennett, son of Lieut. Comdr. and Mrs. R.E. Dennett of Kittery, will report for duty on the USS Benson and earned letters in sailing. Wallace Garrett Jr., son of Mrs. E. P. Garrett of Portsmouth, ranked high in his class and was active in sports and clubs. John Eldredge Smith Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Smith of Exeter, stood high in his class, played football, and led the Mathematics club.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Maine
New Hampshire
Annapolis Md
United States Naval Academy
Armistead den
J John Eldredge Smith, Jr
J. E. Smith
High Street
Exeter
Marines recruit 13 year old as youth worker in Augusta
The Marines rejected 13 year old Guy Bridges in Augusta on December 19 AP report. He was told his enlistment could not proceed until he was old enough, yet Lieut. William J. Dow sent the boy recruitment posters literature and enlistment instructions for eligible peers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Augusta
Guy Bridges
William J. Dow
Sgn
Axis quotes highlight war outlook and rhetoric 1941
Neal O Hara reports from New York on Axis leadership and strategy amid World War II. The piece notes German delays and Japanese leadership under Emperor Hirohito, suggesting Allied forces will outpace Axis plans. It mentions small two man submarines possibly used for bait.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Hirohito
Hitler
Adolf
Also Mentioned on This Page
Philippines
Singapore
Malayan
America
Today's Herald
Newfields Q Amusements
Berwick
Newington
Cartoom
Newmarket
N. E
al Epping
Rochester Wents
Salmon Falls Gleanings
Someraworth
Sa. Efiot Kittery
Kittery Point
Stratham
York
Bulletin
Washington
Hy. Marston
Frederick St. Crompton
Portsmouth Fire Department
Auxiliary Fire Department
South
N. Africa
Mr. Tightwad
Mr. Tightward
Uberty
T Gould
Genevieve Jimenez
Newsboy
Martinique
Atlantic
Pretici Naval
Frederick J. Horne
Georges Robert
N. H
Armistead Dennett
Neal O’hara
Son of Heaven
Shad
U.S. Navy
Hell
D. B
Sln
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