13 Dec 1944
Page 1
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Newspaper
Somerset Daily American
Location
Somerset, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Dec 13, 1944
Page
1
The murder trial resumes as the last two jurors are drawn and witnesses testify. A storm delays proceedings for a second time, extending the courtroom session and prompting cautious juror questioning.
Jurors drawn from a panel of 18 men and women near Somerset begin hearings in the James Henry Kent murder trial. Stella Hershberger, Kent’s companion, testifies about December 1943 events while witnesses describe the crime scene and car findings amid heavy snow and travel delays.
Washington reports Sixth War Loan progress with Series E bond sales at 1.408 billion and optimism for reaching the 2.5 billion E bond quota. December payroll deductions expected to push totals higher before the drive ends. Final Sixth War Loan totals to be announced January 2.
Thieves drove off two truck-trailers loaded with 1,360 cases of whiskey valued at $60,000 from a Philadelphia loading platform. A dozen workers nearby witnessed the removal but misidentified the drivers, assuming regular chauffeurs were at the wheel.
The winter blizzard left 12 to 23 inches of snow across Pennsylvania and caused eight deaths in the Pittsburgh district. Transportation was crippled, with rail still moving but trolleys and buses delayed, and many rural schools closed as crews worked to clear main arteries.
Budapest endured heavy bombardment as Russian storm troops breached defenses and fought Germans with bayonets. Reports say shells hit hotels, houses, and the Danube flats, with air attacks on the city center and heavy enemy casualties as German reserves were committed.
Wladyslaw Raczkiewicz appointed an acting deputy premier and three cabinet ministers inside Poland as the exiled government seeks a new guide from the underground army. The four unnamed officials are noted as Sobolewski Opolski Walkowicz and Traugutt, representing Peasant, National and Socialist parties.
Chinese troops pushed into Kwangsi province along the Kweichow Kwangsi railway and captured the railway town of Nantan along with Mangchang. Japanese forces retreat toward Hochih, 25 miles farther down the line, after heavy losses. American air support reported bombing and strafing the enemy from strong points to open ground.
Incendiary raid on Tokio reported by Nippon radio with evacuation of non essentials under way. B-29s from the Marianas allegedly crossed at 7:00 p m local time and dropped bombs in two or three locations before heading toward the southeast sea.
A Tokio home broadcast recorded in Melbourne said bombs had fallen recently in the imperial palace grounds, a claim reported from London on December 13.
In Athens and Piraeus fighting continues as Sir Harold Alexander and Harold MacMilan seek a settlement. The British handed terms to EAM rep Porphyrogenis demanding disarmament and a ceasefire before talks, with Scobie coordinating steps to restore democratic liberties.
In Rome on December 12 the Eighth army offensive aimed at Faenza was stopped by Apennine rains swelling the Lamone River to seven to eight feet with currents of eight to ten mph. Patrol actions continued near the Lamone bridge head south and west of Faenza as heavy fighting gave way to flood conditions.
Allied air forces struck Germany with heavy bombings on Frankfurt and Witten as RAF and USAAF operations targeted rail facilities and the Ruhr, while Italian-based aircraft hit Austria. The strikes followed a day of sustained aerial pressure across multiple fronts.
Polish National Council president Boleslaw Berut predicted a provisional government would be formed to satisfy land hunger of 8 million landless peasants. He said the council, backed by Moscow, would lead a liberation offensive with Polish First Army aiding the Red Army to free western Poland from Germans.
Paris reports the guillotine may be uncrated for the execution of Charles Bony Henr LaFont and seven other French Gestapo members condemned for murders kidnappings tortures extortion and robbery during the Nazi occupation. Some defendants allegedly wore German uniforms.
Japanese authorities ordered mass evacuation of non essential citizens from Tokio as incendiaries dropped by the Superfortress bombers hit the capital. A Transocean dispatch reported 20 009 people ordered to leave and noted ongoing evacuation plans while essential workers remain in place.
London reports coastal anti aircraft batteries and night fighters shooting down several flying bombs over the east coast tonight as WWII defense actions continue.
Christmas trees are plentiful in Philadelphia as of December 12. The WFA market report notes 165 carloads received so far this season, far above last year and prior years, signaling strong supply for the holiday period.
Allied forces push north from Hague and reach the Roer river near Duren as First Army clears routes toward Cologne. Third Army crosses the Blies near Sarreguemines. French forces advance in the Vosges as 30 towns fall and air power targets Nazi positions behind the front.
Temperature for a 24 hour period from 5 30 p m Monday to 5 30 p m Tuesday shows 0 snowfall. Temperature a year ago records show maximum and minimum figures with the prior year value.
Maryland shows mostly cloudy and windy with light snow flurries in the mountains and a colder turn. Western Pennsylvania faces wind, colder air, and snow flurries, while eastern Pennsylvania and West Virginia endure clouds, wind, and continued cold through Thursday.
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