12 Dec 1941
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Daily Alaska Empire
Location
Juneau, Alaska, United States of America
Date
Dec 12, 1941
Page
1
The AFL announces the Navy reports over 1,000 building trades unionists were captured by Japan during Midway and Guam seizures. Roughly 700 California based workers were held at Midway and about 400 at Guam, all as forced labor for base construction.
In Los Angeles on December 12, defense authorities ordered no more air raid alarm rehearsals. The commandant of the Interceptor Division deemed drills unnecessary, warning that a real alarm could mislead hundreds into believing a rehearsal is underway.
Washington Dec. 12 A bill before Congress would transfer 50,000 selectees into the United States Navy. The proposal aims to expand naval manpower by enlisting a large number of selectees into service, reflecting wartime mobilization efforts.
The Republican National Committee bank balance remains lean while the Congressional Campaign Committee gains from Joe Pew and Ernest Weir. Pew and Weir's donations bolster Joe Martin and J. W. Bitter as concerns grow over implications for next year’s key state and congressional races.
Navy reports American patrol bombers hit a Kongo class battleship off Luzon badly damaging it. The air force also attacked another older Japanese warship, earlier in the same action.
Chief of Police Ken Junge issues a dawn dusk blackout instruction for night driving. Drivers are told to place three inch by half inch tape on headlights one inch from the bottom, then paint the headlight area black and remove the tape. Buy defense stamps.
The Navy Department reports Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox has safely arrived in Honolulu to inspect damage from the Japanese air raid. Officials note quiet in the Hawaiian Islands after three air raids on Sunday and a fourth early Monday.
Dec 12 Gen Robert E Wood announces that the America First Committee is dissolving immediately. He urges members to support the United States in the war effort and to buy defense bonds as part of wartime mobilization.
Washington announces eight defensive sea areas designated on both coasts. Areas include waters near Portland Maine Portsmouth New Hampshire Boston Narragansett Bay San Diego San Francisco entrance to the Columbia River Oregon Strait of San Juan de Fuca Puget Sound entrance between Washington State and Vancouver Island British Columbia.
The War Department announces 37 additional soldiers dead from the Japanese attack on Hawaii last Sunday, raising the total to 136 officers and enlisted men killed or dying of wounds. The growing list includes names of those lost in action or from wounds sustained in Hawaii.
Eight bodies and several survivors of the freighter Oregon were brought to New Bedford about 24 hours after it collided with a U S Navy ship off Nantucket. The American reefer stayed afloat for hours, ultimately sinking after daylight. It had been bound for New Bedford from a voyage to South Africa.
Dec 12 a nearly decapitated well dressed Oriental was found in a south end alley at 6 50 am. Coroner Mittelstadt said the man was slain on an execution block. The Seattle Times quoted a detective lieutenant about investigations of a secret nature starting yesterday.
Speaker Sam Rayburn announced immediate introduction of legislation requiring registration of all men 18 to 65 to register for service. He said the measure makes men 19 to 45 responsible for service and noted that boys around ten would not be sent to combat. The aim is to obtain an overall picture of manpower.
London dispatch reports British forces pushing Axis units in North Africa to encirclement and disruption in several sectors. Estimates say 500 to 6,000 Axis fighters are cut off as Allied pursuit tightens.
The nation votes to go to war with Germany and Italy as President Roosevelt signs the declaration. Senate tallies show 88 to 0 against Germany with two late adds. House 393 to 0, and 399 to 0 with one present vote by Miss Jeanette Rankin. Rankin abstains on both wars.
Treasury Department reports that Monday Tuesday and Wednesday defense bonds sold across United States banks totaled 8,529,000 dollars, up about 126 percent from the same three days last week.
President Roosevelt told reporters at the daily briefing that Wake Island’s garrison is still holding out against a Japanese assault. He praised a small group of U S Marines there as doing a magnificent job given their numbers.
The British Admiralty reports a British submarine torpedoed and sank an Italian cruiser in the Mediterranean. The text notes a regional shift in driving rules from left to right in most Central European countries.
Manila report says Japanese warships fled to avoid the US Asiatic Fleet as Japan steps up seaborne attacks on Luzon Island. The War Department communique notes Japan throws troops at Luzon, bases at Vigan and Aparri attacked. Hawaii remains quiet with no west coast operations.
Captain Colin Kelly Jr a 26 year old West Pointer born in Florida died in the Pacific after his plane scored three direct hits on the Japanese battleship Haruna during an attack on Pearl Harbor era hostilities. General MacArthur issued a posthumous tribute noting Kelly distinguished himself by the three direct hits and that he likely died before learning the Haruna was mortally damaged.
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