18 Dec 1942
Page 1
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Newspaper
Somerset Daily American
Location
Somerset, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Dec 18, 1942
Page
1
Dakar Kaval units prepared to engage SGGE forces while immobilized French ships at Alexandria will require months before joining combat against the Axis.
British naval observers said French warships at Dakar and North African ports could be ready to join Allied forces within months. Darlan affirmed plans to use the fleet against the Axis, while Fighting French leaders welcomed any unification move. Ships at Dakar include Richelieu and three cruisers, eight submarines, and other vessels in varying condition.
Harry E. Altmiller resigns as chief of the district warning center in the Picking building after guiding its early development. He notes long hours and unpaid service, thanking volunteers who staffed the center around the clock since August 4 for national defense contributions.
Harry F. Yentch aged 66 died after being struck by a car as he left the Pennsylvania railroad station. Coroner Dr Earl H. Grim ruled the death a fractured skull and lethal injuries.
Harrisburg dispatch reports the Pennsylvania Bar Association cancelled its annual convention set for January 8 and 9 due to transportation curtailments.
New York and the northeastern states faced a critically low gasoline supply with less than a day’s stock in the New York area. Petroleum administrator Ickes urged motorists to stay off the roads unless essential, warning of possible widespread shortages if non essential use continues. Mayor LaGuardia asked car owners not to fill tanks for now, while oil firms consider prioritizing fuel for essential city services and emergency transport.
OWI spokesman announced no immediate suspension of eastern seaboard A gasoline ration cards. Reported expectations had said midnight sales would be halted for A cardholders, but the plan was not enacted. Details cover A B C carded limits and the potential daily saving of about 60,000 barrels.
The navy reported that Marine Private Joseph H. Miller 18 from Ducktown Tennessee was killed at the Point Loma radio station in San Diego in a guard change incident. Marine Private John E. Schellenberger 21 from Altoona Pennsylvania was being sought after allegedly firing a Reisling sub machine gun at Miller and two others, who were unhurt.
A cold storage building under construction at the El Toro Marine Air Station near Santa Ana caught fire today and was destroyed. Flames were confined to the building and were quickly controlled by local fire facilities, a navy spokesman said. No damage estimate was provided.
Twelve Japanese Zero fighters challenged US Flying Fortresses near New Georgia in the Solomons and were wiped out by gunners. One Fortress was lost with crew rescued. American bombers hit Buin and Munda with no opposition. a destroyer was damaged and one dive bomber failed to return.
Roy Cunningham, 35, of Acosta, named state mine inspector by Governor Arthur James after a Harrisburg exam in 1941. Longtime coal-industry veteran with Consolidation Coal and prior roles at Hillman, Bird, and Koppers, he awaits assignment details after a Harrisburg conference next week.
Former President Herbert Hoover, wartime food administrator, accused current food control machinery of misdirected authority. He urged raising price ceilings and easing commodity controls, saying production is the key in total war and the government has only recently aligned with World War I lessons.
Captain Eddie Rickenbacker arrived in San Francisco after a perilous Pacific rescue while on a special mission. His eight person plane force landed. one crew member died during the ordeal and he is bound by orders to report to Washington before sharing details.
Harrisburg reports Governor James directed all state offices to close from Thursday noon December 24 to Monday December 28 and again from Friday January 1 to Monday January 4.
Russian dispatches report heavy fighting along the railway to Kotelnikovski southwest of Stalingrad with 1 235 Germans killed and 12 tanks knocked out. They also claim large captures west of Surovikino and encirclement efforts between the Don and Volga rivers, plus deaths of hundreds more and destruction of planes near Stalingrad.
In Somerset County four to seven inches of snow fell with drifts heavy in the mountains and Meyersdale. Thirty five snow plows and about seventy five highway crew members operated Thursday afternoon and evening under Donald Fridy. Buses were late and streets remained icy while residents shoveled and walked carefully as snow continued past midnight.
In Seitzland Pennsylvania near the son’s home a private grade crossing incident occurred when a Pennsylvania railroad express struck a car. Oscar Warner sixty eight and his wife Edna sixty two were killed instantly as the locomotive dragged the vehicle thirty feet trapping them in the rear seat. Their son Vernon thirty eight was taken to York hospital with a fractured skull leg and possible internal injuries.
Allied air forces led with Flying Fortresses against Bizerte Tunis Gabes and Tunis docks and shipping scoring fires sinking at least one ship. A-20s with P-38 escorts struck Gabes and west of Sidi Tabet while RAF joined raids on Tunis and Bizerte with eight separate attacks. eight Axis planes were downed for one Allied loss. Major Rudell of Buffalo credited in the bomber's destruction.
In the House of Commons Robert Perkins warns Britain has a new York airliner in production though secret. He says releasing 20 Yorks and 10 Sunderlands could challenge Pan American Airways and shape postwar civil aviation. Capt Harold H. Balfour notes empire air routes will open to American military flights after the war and Britain plans bold measures to secure its position.
British forces pushed across Rommel retreat, hitting 65 miles west of El Agheila then swinging south to isolate large German armored, infantry and artillery units. Allied air power bombed Tunisia targets as fighting intensifies with the Axis forces in peril and Montgomery’s troops reaching the coast.
An army bomber towing a glider crashed 500 yards beyond Blythe air safe at 7 45 p m killing eight occupants. Only two names released Flight Officer N A Addy and Technical Sergeant L O Nutting. others withheld pending investigation. The glider crew escaped unharmed.
Axis embassies led by Germany Italy and Japan protested Argentine limits on telegraph telephone and radio use. They delivered written notes to the foreign office objecting to a decree restricting diplomatic code messages to 100 words per day or 700 words per week.
Chinese troops retook the river port of Hosueh in western Hu peh today after a Japanese offensive on the middle Yangtze seized it yesterday. Hosueh lies about 20 miles downstream from Shasi.
Allied forces report attempts by Japanese troops to break from traps along the northeast New Guinea Buna area have been repulsed. MacArthur’s noon communique says lines are closing in on pocketed enemy forces east and west of Buna village with bombardment on remnants near Kumusi Delta. Ground activity around Salamaua continues with patrols pressing enemy outposts.
Inventor W. B. Hale showed a compressed air gun with no powder no flash no noise and no recoil. The Dix Manufacturing Co. chief engineer said the weapon can fire 12 000 rounds in 60 seconds, using bullets equivalent to 50 caliber and fed from a hopper. Richard W. Adair president said officers from army navy and marine corps viewed the exhibit.
Tass reports in Geneva that Italian anti German protests shattered the German consulate windows in Naples and other disturbances occurred across Italy in ten days. The Italian government may form special courts in affected zones. A 13 year old boy Edward Sullenberger died after his sledding accident when he darted from between houses into a car.
The safety and security branch of the war department reports an explosion and fire at the Acme Die and Machine fuse loading plant in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Officials say two men were likely injured, with details incomplete.
Daily temperature summary for 24 hours ending 5 30 p m Thursday shows a maximum of 23 and a minimum of 18 degrees. A year ago the values were 40 degrees for the high and low.
The forecast reports snow flurries and colder conditions across West Virginia on Friday with continued wind. Western Pennsylvania Maryland and eastern Pennsylvania also expect snow flurries and strong winds, with notably colder temperatures and persistent wind throughout Friday.
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