18 Dec 1942
Page 1
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Newspaper
Raleigh Register
Location
Beckley, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Dec 18, 1942
Page
1
American airmen engage Axis forces in Tunisia in a bold assault during the Tunisia campaign as Allied troops push toward decisive victory. The report highlights air superiority claims and strikes against enemy positions, signaling a turning point in North Africa.
The Associated Press reports Red Army shock troops broke into another village along the strategic Rzhev Vyazma railway west of Moscow, repelling German dive bombers and destroying a German infantry battalion. Soviet anti aircraft fire downed three Nazi planes as counterattacking Germans reportedly suffered heavy losses west of Rzhev. The move hints at a potential pincers operation on the central front with Red forces advancing toward Smolensk while consolidating gains near Stalingrad and Kotelnikovski.
Allied and American forces continue operations in the Solomons and New Guinea theaters. The latest air assault involved Flying Fortresses with Airacobra escorts striking the Munda base on New Georgia Island while Zeros challenged the raid in December’s air battles. Allied reports note Japanese pockets around Buna Village still resisting as lines tighten.
In Magna Utah the Register reports that Japan tightened controls on priests and ministers held as prisoners after interpreting the wartime song praise the Lord and pass the ammunition. Rev Hugh C Craig notes the impression by the Japanese that a chaplain handled weapons leading to added restraints. A Catholic priest was interned in Korea for seven months.
The Associated Press reports the Royal Air Force bombed targets in northwest Germany last night and 18 bombers are missing while Germans claim 21 shot down. Low clouds hindered assessment of bombing results. The admiralty also says British submarines damaged or sunk three Axis supply ships in the Mediterranean and scored a torpedo hit on a large Japanese vessel in Far Eastern waters.
The Toy Fund reported a strong surge in the last 24 hours pushing contributions toward $600. About $800 in toys were shipped on the 11th and are en route to the Memorial building. The current totals list numerous individual donors including Mrs. B. B. Richmond, Mrs. J. E. McKenzie, the Raleigh County American Legion post, the Moose Club, and others, with a running total that reflects community support for the project.
A weather notice reports significantly colder conditions for West Virginia tonight with winds easing. Forecasters warn of sharp temperature drop and potential frost as conditions stabilize later. Strong high pressure and clearing skies are expected to support the chill.
Allied reports describe a massive American aerial offensive against Tunisian Axis strongholds including Bizerte Tunis Gabes and Sidi Tabet. Flying Fortresses A-20s and P-38s backed by air patrols damaged docks ports and airfields while five German fighters were shot down and other wrecks reported.
Stockholm reports German buildup in Norway with expanding defense zones barbed wire fortifications and coastal shipping controls. Norwegian resistance escalates aided by Allied successes as Finnmark reinforcements arrive by road. Arctic night isolation and 1918 graffiti spread. Canadian forces in Britain may see action soon per McNaughton.
Washington dispatch notes Leon Henderson plans to resign as head of the Office of Price Administration amid health issues. Expectation centers on Prentiss M. Brown to be named successor, with belief he will favor voluntary controls over mandatory orders. A congressional committee blames OPA and WPB policies for a looming home-front breakdown unless reforms reduce price squeezes and complex regulations to save small business.
West Virginia state tax department reports weaker highway travel reflected in gasoline excise tax receipts for November. October business tax take was $1,036,729.80, down about $8,000 from September. October sales tax rose to $954,978.54, beer barrel levy at $98,361.41 versus $81,651.84 a year earlier.
Eddie Rickenbacker returned to American soil after a 24 day ordeal at sea following a forced down plane mission in the Pacific. He arrived in casual clothes, appeared fit, and walked to a hotel with an ambulance on standby but declined aid. One of his seven companions died during the hardship.
London Eighth Air Force announced the Purple Heart award to 28 aircrew wounded in aerial combat. Recipients include First Lieutenant Nathan H. Gorman of Woodstock Virginia and Sergeant Samuel DeBerry of Terra Alta West Virginia among others.
Eastern motorists face limits under a temporary Office of Price Administration order. Only emergency purchases using a single coupon are allowed for A B or C ration book holders, while commercial vehicles face no limit. The measure covers 17 states and Washington DC, with about 7 million vehicles at risk of losing fuel if it lasts. West Virginia allows four gallons for A coupons.
The state O P A announced today that gasoline sale limits cover all of West Virginia and not just previously exempted eastern areas. The order extends to the District of Columbia and states Maine New Hampshire Vermont Massachusetts Rhode Island New York Pennsylvania New Jersey Delaware Maryland Virginia North Carolina Georgia Florida and West Virginia.
Senator Kilgore argues for a centralized war department to standardize artillery across army and navy to prevent ammunition incompatibility. He notes current 75 mm to 155 mm army calibers versus navy 3, 5, 6, 8 and 16 inch guns could hinder joint operations. A bill to merge services failed previously.
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