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Newspaper
San Antonio Light
Location
San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
Date
May 18, 1940
Page
1
A historical column argues Roosevelt’s message maximizes war readiness and new deal spending, pledging strong defense while urging cautious fiscal policy. It warns Republicans against disbanding the navy and air defense, and suggests Australia as a political foil, ending with a call for national unity and prudent preparation.
The air ministry said Royal Air Force squadrons bombed German bases and lines of communication in France and Belgium during the night and attacked Western Germany on a heavy scale with no RAF losses. Berlin counters that 108 Allied aircraft were shot down in 24 hours, with 26 German planes lost, and says German air force bombed Allied lines of communication.
PARAS May 18 the French government orders a 12 hour work day for all aviation industries to counter German air superiority. The air ministry notes the measure applies to industries directly or indirectly related to aviation and includes Sundays and holidays.
Berlin May 18 A terse communique says German naval units have laid mines before South African ports serving as bases for enemy naval units. The announcement adds mines were laid to hinder Allied operations in the region.
In North Baddesley Hampshire on May 18 villagers armed with shotguns scythes and clubs rushed out when an airplane landed in a nearby field. The aircraft belonged to actor Ralph Richardson whose plane had a breakdown causing the forced landing in a rural area.
German official news agency reported 29 civilians killed in last night air raid on Hamburg. Several houses and buildings were damaged and one dollar injury value noted.
Paris reports Marshal Henry Philippe Petain is appointed vice premier amid wartime strain. British war wounded are landed from a hospital ship in France and Belgium, then ferried to Birmingham as part of postbattle evacuations.
Paris May 18 The German onrush into northern France widens a pocket like the Vervins and Avesnes sectors as French lines stiffen under massed armor and heavy artillery. Allied aviation bombed enemy columns while Belgium saw Allied withdrawals west of Brussels. French tanks and land battleships clash with German monsters as the biggest battle of all times unfolds with vast tank forces and counterattacks.
London reports a British spokesman saying Allied forces face a very serious situation on the Western front though not worse than yesterday. German advances in the Battle of the Bulge have slackened. Allied lines in Belgium may retreat southward to match movements, with high morale among depleted troops. Air actions: 10 German Junkers 87 bombers shot down by nine Hurricanes over France and Belgium. three Hurricanes each claimed another bomber in single engagements.
Frantic selling drove cotton futures lower and wheat prices collapsed across Chicago and other markets. May wheat fell to 16 5 3 cents, July corn and rye hit limit losses, and the week saw multiple 10 cent daily declines amid heavy selling and reports of German wartime gains.
Washington reports a sweeping peacetime defense push with bipartisan support. Congress targets approval of a 1.182 billion program, a Senate panel adds 132 million to army funding, and a meeting of American aircraft manufacturers is called to expand industrial resources. Landon rebukes administration for late preparedness while Knox signals involvement in publicized air training plans.
New York May mn The American Volunteer Ambulance Corps led by James Wood Johnson says its members work day and night near the front lines but cannot cope with the many casualties. The message reports the loss of a sixth ambulance in a week as two contingents of drivers totaling 26 men were sent to Manhattan for today’s assignment.
Partly cloudy cooler conditions across San Antonio and vicinity with southerly winds shifting to northerly by Sunday. Highs near 88 Saturday, around 87 Sunday. lows around 66 Saturday night, with 72 for Saturday’s low in parts. East Texas and West Texas regions show similar cooling trends with scattered showers on the coast and upper mountains. Alexandria area reports unsettled conditions and expanding winds.
The United States embassy in Ankara advised American nationals to depart Turkey as soon as possible amid rising tensions and safety concerns affecting U.S. interests in the region.
London dispatch reports air raid casualties on oil storage tanks at Hamburg and Bremen during a night raid by British fighters. In Singapore a cable from Siam premier Liang Bipol Songerara urges young King Ananda to seek study in the United States or return to Thailand.
Berlin reports rapid German advances in Belgium and northern France. Antwerp entered, Brussels and Mechelin captured, Walcheren island subdued. German arms push toward Paris within 60 miles, while Dutch and Belgian ports and defenses crumble under heavy air and ground assaults. Allied retreat described as a rout in places.
AP reports Nazi vanguards within 60 miles of Paris with Antwerp Brussels and Louvain claimed. Paris notes heavy Nazi losses and bulge in northern France. Britain sees darkest hour since 1918 as Churchill seeks Soviet ties. Italy urged home. Greece mobilizes. Yugoslavia eyeing Greek aid. Americas condemn invasions. prep for peace-time defense accelerates. Hong Kong cites a Chinese rout in central China.
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