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Newspaper
The Daily Mail
Location
Hagerstown, Maryland, United States of America
Date
Sep 01, 1944
Page
6
Heavy German coastal guns near Boulogne fired nearly 100 shells in a four hour barrage driving damage to several British seacoast towns. One man was killed as Berlin claimed the attack as a drum fire of the heaviest type against English invasion routes.
New York dispatch reports from Stockholm that Germany may evacuate Denmark and Norway without resistance. Large troop movements are seen and German papers shift language from fortress Europe to fortress Germany as the war situation evolves.
A Blue Ridge Bus official warns Labor Day travel will be heavy as tires shortages strain service. Buses have only one spare tire each and blowouts could force cancellations if spares are insufficient.
Mrs Curtis L Turner of Broad Way received news that her husband Stal Sergt Turner was wounded in an air raid over the Ploesti oil fields in Romania. He wrote that he is not seriously injured and expects to be in a hospital ten days to two weeks. He is believed based in Italy and serves as a radio technician on bombers overseas.
The Board of Election Supervisors reports a surge in soldier absentee ballot requests. Thirty four more this week push total over thirty for the week. Soldiers and others in service may request ballots until November 1. Waxed paper under return envelope flaps to combat moisture sealing ballots for tropic areas. Last day to register is Saturday September 23. Office to stay open several nights the final week to assist those unable to register during day.
A total of 43 divorce suits were docketed during August, an all time high for any one month. The first suit filed in September was Mary R. Beard versus Lloyd L. Beard, docketed moments after the Clerk of Court opened, with attorney Charles W. Wolf representing.
Five local boys camp along the Potomac near Sharpsburg rely on homing pigeons to relay supplies to families in Hagerstown. Norman West Jr. heads the effort, bringing six to seven birds on the trip. Messages arrived daily from Monday to Thursday detailing requests for more supplies and a roaster roster. Participating boys include Robert Sweigert Garvey Taylor and Bobbie and Frank Bell.
The Army aims to guarantee every soldier receives turkey for Thanksgiving Pay. The Quartermaster Corps and War Food Administration coordinated land purchases and distribution, restricting sales until needs were met. The effort promises ample turkey for everyone despite high demand this year.
The Potomac river valley faces a three to one odds of a flood as severe as 1936 within 50 years, with a 1 to 1 chance that 1926’s peak level could be exceeded by 2 1/2 feet. The U S Engineer Office notes the potential for higher flood heights and discusses upgrading the Williamsport pumping station dike as a postwar project.
The Verdun fortress town, a pivotal World War I site, saw fierce fighting after German advances in 1916. Despite gains at Malancourt and Hill 304, the German push toward Verdun failed, as French lines held along the Meuse.
A sharp downpour swept the Potomac area last evening, with Sharpsburg getting its best rain of the summer. The storm began around 8:30 and lasted nearly two hours, muddying roads and flooding areas along the river while Hagerstown saw lighter rain. A National Guard unit setting up camp was washed out at the Caskey farm but no damage was reported overall.
Stockholm circles say Germany asked neutral Switzerland whether it would accept part of Marshal Kesselring's forces if they withdrew into Switzerland. Swiss reportedly gave an unfavorable reply as communications remain limited to the Brenner Pass and Swiss rail routes. Switzerland earlier allowed transit of seriously wounded German troops and medical personnel from southern France.
Maryland was estimated to raise 382000 turkeys in 1944, up five percent from 1943 but six percent below the five year 1940 average. The state cropping service released the figures today from College Park.
Allied forces press through southern France with tanks and infantry overrunning Nazi positions in the upper Rhone valley. Lyon nears as Valence falls and Le Bourg du Peage capitulates. German command orders retreat toward Germany. Narbonne column nears Spanish frontier while French units push beyond the Alps toward Avignon.
Louis F. Danner of Frederick was charged with manslaughter by auto after his milk truck struck Elmer K. Long, 51, of near Boonsboro, who died after the accident at Braddock Heights. Long’s funeral is set for tomorrow in Boonsboro. A hearing date has not been fixed.
Post office receipts for August totaled 27167 dollars, a rise of 3871.60 over August 1948, marking the largest August in the office history. Postmaster Thomas M. Simpson reported Warhoad sales last month at 58706.25 versus 3195 in August of last year and 105,837.50 for July. July’s big figure is attributed to the drive conducted during the month.
Washington reports a warning that further military demand could push civilian gasoline into a tight spot. Deputy petroleum administrator Ralph Davies noted a 4.4 million barrel drop in civilian grade stock from July 1 to August 18, leaving 47.86 million barrels, 40 percent below August 1941 levels.
Sam Mason colored charged with assaulting George Rob inson colored was dismissed in city court this morning after Robinson failed to appear. The Duchess of Windsor reportedly responding beautifully after appendix removal at Roosevelt Hospital in New York on September 2.
Moscow dispatch reports Red Army flying columns skirting Transylvania southern shoulder marching toward Serbia’s northeastern mountains. Soviet armoured scouts under Gen Malinovsky approach within about 120 miles of Yugoslav frontier as German forces bolster defenses along the Olt river. The plan threatens the northern water route linking Sibiu to Corabia near Turnu Pass, aiming to disrupt supplies to the Yugoslav front.
German fury unleashed three days of air attacks on Bucharest after Romania severed ties with the Axis. Soviet troops reached the city, finding barren streets, blackened ruins, and American-made vehicles among the wreckage as they moved through the capital en route to a motorized advance.
Two bottles of soft drinks were stolen from Franklin Grocery on George and Winter streets. Police reported this morning that the Bors are blamed as entry was gained by crawling through a cellar window.
Cairo dispatch reports 194 German troops surrendered voluntarily to Turkish authorities on the Greek frontier. The advance notice indicated the surrender occurred near the border and was confirmed by Ankara.
In Bucharest on August 31 Russian troops liberated about 1,100 American airmen who had been prisoners since the Ploesti raids. The group included about 22 Brits and the men were free within minutes after King Mihai proclaimed the armistice. They praised the German bombardment of the hospital wing and reported relief at escape from confinement.
In Cumberland Maryland a labor dispute near the port was settled as truck drivers agreed to continue work and seek Federal action on wage demands. A joint stipulation with operators was filed to obtain prompt action from the labor board.
Mrs. James F. Omps of Hancock becomes the first volunteer in the state to receive a special OPA citation. The Washington Conteg Ration Board worker logged thousands of hours aiding wartime rationing and forms distribution for 1400 people. OPA officials praised her efforts as a model for other towns of similar size.
Allied Expeditionary Force reports swift American advances toward the German frontier. Verdun falls to Patton's 3rd Army, with U S 1st Army penetrating Sedan near the Meuse. Columns from St Dizier capture Commercy as Germans retreat to fortified lines.
Bulgaria’s government under Ivan Baglavov collapsed after failing to secure neutrality as a route out of World War II. Reports cited the European Advisory Commission drafting armistice terms for Bulgaria while Moscow discussions signaled shifting alliances and possible peace terms. Russian and British moves indicated a widening diplomatic shift as tensions rose across Europe.
Fragmentary OCR text yields minimal readable facts about a date or event. The source is largely garbled with missing names and locations, offering no clear person or organization to identify.
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