Laval Ousted as Petain Removes Heir to French Power
The Vichy regime moves to end Pierre Laval’s influence as Marshal Petain ousts him from government. Critics note Laval’s Axis ties and his push for independence for Paris, while Petain’s departure signals a leadership change amid wartime tensions with Britain and the dictatorial powers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Britain
Philippe Petain
France
Pierre Laval
Bern
Laval
Paris
Europe
Petain
Weygand
Mussolini
Hitler
Pierre-Etienne Flandin
Vichy
Marshal
Methuselah
War Time Basis for Defense Industry
Knudsen of the National Defense Advisory Commission warns of a 30 percent lag in airplane production and urges a wartime defense posture even in peacetime. He calls for mobilizing industry and labor, using idle facilities, and enlisting expert help to speed munitions output for Britain and the United States.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William
Knudsen
National Defense Advisory Commission
Britain
America
Africa
British Isles
Hitler
Mr. Knudsen
France
England
South America
United States
War the Destroyer of Inflated Reputations
A historical op-ed profiles Italian commander Graziana and French Marshal Gamelin, noting rapid declines in reputation after rapid rises. It contrasts Graziana’s vanished aura with Gamelin’s once celebrated leadership, both overwhelmed by relentless enemy pressure and strategic missteps.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rodolfo Graziana
Maurice Gustave Gamelin
Graziana
Egypt
Libya
Gamelin
Our Secret Weapon: American Inventiveness and Defense
William Allen White argues the United States’ secret weapon lies in native genius for invention. He cites submarine airship radio tubes and industrial research, noting patent growth after World War I and predicting a defense-driven future through American laboratories and productive industry.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wiliam Allen White
Emporia Gazette
United States
Hether
Wwe
Our Readers Viewpoint on democracy and war aims
A letter argues Britain does not defend democracy, urges a world government to share Earth's resources, and warns against sending military aid to England. Neal C. Wallace of New Berlin labels war as a world revolution and calls for greater global cooperation and redistribution of wealth.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
The
Herald-Journal
Great Britain
League of Nations
Germany
Geneva
France
England
Italy
Denmark
Holland
Belgium
Europe
Hitler
Mussolini
Churchill
New Berlin
Neal C. Wallace
Roosevelt support letter praises New Deal and WPA impact
A Syracuse correspondent writes in favor of President Roosevelt and criticizes Willkie. The writer praises the New Deal, WPA and CCC, argues Roosevelt avoided war, dismisses talk of dictatorship, and notes the president’s past deeds and necessity. North Fair Haven signer Mrs L M Brown.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
The
Herald-Journal
Syracuse
Republican Party
Willkie
Roosevelt
Hoover
WPA
CCC
Washington
Lincoln
L.M. Brown
North Fair Haven
Liberty of the prev truth as measure of all freedom
A quotation argues that true liberty is the standard for all freedoms, asserting that freedom without this foundation is only nominal. The line emphasizes the primacy of genuine liberty over superficial or empty claims.
Free-speech and English ties stir local debate
A reader denounces English ties and wartime rhetoric while praising America. The letter-writer blasts Thompson Sharkey and other figures for pro England sentiment, notes American aid to Britain, and warns against sending troops, calling English propaganda a deadly racket.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Herald-Journal
Frank Nolan
R. Thompson
England
Thomas Sharkey
Thompson
Sharkey
Enish
America
Americana
William
Defense program flops in 1941 production outlook
Washington reports a sharply revised forecast for defense output in 1941. William S. Knudsen and others say aviation production will fall about 30 percent from prior rosy estimates. Critics claim political pressures influenced defense messaging and slow labor mobilization.
Pressure groups shape defense drive amid labor row
A sharp defense program critique argues labor pressure groups dominate Washington delaying defense readiness. It cites long work hours debates, strikes at Vultee, and political inertia blamed on Congress and party leadership, warning of state control or national socialism in crisis.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
Army
Navy
Congress
United States Navy
Mr. Knudsen
Defense Program
Hitler
Washington
Wendell Willkie
Britain
Assembly
Vultee Aircraft
Asns
Bief
Michigan
Apex Hosiery
Philadelphia
France
Our National Affairs: Wartime speed urged for defense buildup
Raymond Clapper notes officials alarmed by lag in defense preparations. Administrations push for rapid, non-controversial effort over three months to arm England and resist Hitler, avoiding new issues and distractions while preserving focus on supplying military aid.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pyrseington
England
Hitler
Knudsen Calls for Clear War Production Goals
Bill Knudsen warned that defense manufacturing lacks an all-out effort and true focus on big and complex projects. He argued production data must specify types and scale to avoid perceived shortages and price pressures, urging industry and labor to match wartime demands.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Bill Knudsen
National Society of Manufacturers
U S Urges Swift Aid to Britain Amid Spring Crisis
The piece argues for accelerating U S defense production and emergency aid to Britain to counter Hitler’s long war plan. Hull’s steady policy favors aid short of war, aiming to prevent Axis dominance and a decisive spring knockout.
Knudsen and the drive for US war production
The column argues time is critical for war production and praises Knudsen for his manufacturing genius while criticizing his limited grasp of broader supply, procurement, and priorities. It calls for War Industries Board level industrial control to accelerate the entire production system and avoid waste.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Knudsen
Advisory Commission
War Industries Board
British bid to secure more ships from U S contain new war fleet plan
Paul Mallon reports that 15 merchant ships purchased by Britain are only the start as Washington notes 45 more will be shipped to British hands within weeks. The piece hints Hitler may be assembling new small ships in yards seized in Denmark and Holland.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Hitler
Denmark
Holland
World War II Press Briefs Mention 1941 Attacks Expected
A terse item notes ongoing Allied concerns about intensified attacks in 1941 with Belgium France and Norway cited as fronts. The report implies British defenses face a widening campaign and rising threat levels in the coming year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Belgium
France
Norway
Wea
British Shipping Losses Surge as U S Shipbuilding Expands
The report notes British shipping losses rising sharply from March to November with monthly tonnage figures and warns Britain’s replacement capacity is lagging. It cites Roosevelt's push to boost American shipbuilding and mentions Louisiana Shipyards Inc rising in New Orleans alongside tax exempt bonds and Gulf Coast support.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Roosevelt
Louisiana Shipyards, Incorporated
New Orleans
Louisiana
Ellender
Gulf Coast
Also Mentioned on This Page
Marshal Petain
Thither
North Wales
New York Times
London
Pwllheli
Wales
World Government
NEW
A.E.F
David Lawrence
Russell Overton
Voltaire
Raymond Clapper
Hugh S. Johnson
U.S
Hull
Munich
PAUL _MALLON
U. S
Tember
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