25 Dec 1943
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Montana Standard
Location
Butte, Montana, United States of America
Date
Dec 25, 1943
Page
1
Butte residents begin Christmas Eve with Catholic midnight masses and Protestant services announcing peace and brotherhood. War tiredness casts a sober tone as families reunite, shoppers rush final preparations, and many children return from colleges and military posts.
President Roosevelt delivers Christmas greetings to American troops abroad and ill and wounded fighters. Secretary Stimson and military leaders also send messages acknowledging sacrifice and praying for recovery. The President stresses victory and peace through the war effort during the holiday season.
Pope Pius XII urged world leaders to curb hatred and work toward a Christian peace in the coming year. He outlined a peace program including a normal power balance, sanctions, and the use of force where needed, warning peace cannot be achieved by arms alone. From the Vatican amid isolation since Rome’s occupation, he spoke a 35 minute Christmas Eve address in Italian with an English translation later.
The forecast calls for light rains west of the divide with mountain snow. Friday will bring a high near 39 and a low around 8, followed by slightly warmer Saturday then colder Saturday night and continued scattered showers.
President Roosevelt names Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower to command the Anglo American invasion of Germany. Congress members praise the pick and welcome Marshall remaining as chief of staff while noting the plans for global strategy and noted generals regardless of party.
Soviet forces seized Gorodok, 19 miles north of Vitebsk, as part of an offensive toward the Baltic front. The Red Army claimed over 60 towns fell, knocked out 69 German tanks, and shot down 17 planes, with Stalin praising Gen. Ivan Bagramian’s First Baltic Army.
Allied forces press in Ortona despite snow and rain with Canadian infantry storming German positions. The fight concentrates on each house and sewer as elite paratroopers defend. Marauder bombers hit rail lines and bridges along the Riviera, Venice to Cannes area as other fronts push forward.
President Roosevelt on Christmas Eve names Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower to command early Allied invasion of Hitler's Europe. The move forms a top field command for the western assault to encircle Germany with coordinated Anglo American forces and air power.
A concise listing of principal Allied theater commands. Western Front: Eisenhower Montgomery Devers. Eastern Front: Vasilevsky with Stalin approving defense. Mediterranean: Wilson Alexander. Pacific: Nimitz Halsey Fletcher. Southwest Pacific: MacArthur Blamey Kenney. Southeast Asia: Mountbatten Stilwell.
Advanced Allied forces report Cape Gloucester on New Britain has received 2,500 tons of bombs since December 1 after a 300 ton strike. Fifth Air Force continues daily raids toward the Dampier Strait area across from New Guinea as Allied aims appear to build toward a new invasion. In New Guinea Australian units push north toward Wandauai near Finschhafen while MacArthur notes torpedo dive bombers in action. Roosevelt signs 188,833,723 to cover agency deficiencies and extends the 1943 farm labor recruitment program by 30 days from December 31.
Washington dispatch reports two railroad unions cancel their general walkout set for December 30 while three other unions remain firm and 15 more discuss with the White House. Attorney General Biddle moves to prepare legal papers as Roosevelt seeks war time assurance trains continue to run.
Washington dispatch reports Selective Service halted inductions of pre war fathers employed by federal agencies to allow occupational deferments. President Roosevelt ordered equal deferment consideration. Major General Hershey sent telegrams to state directors delaying actions until McNutt's guidance reaches agencies.
Helena dispatch reports Elmer Archibald 30 of Butte suffered severe head lacerations Friday night when a car driven by Woodrow O Hart of Butte left the highway at Boulder hill. William F Bartley, also of Butte, and Hart were uninjured. Archibald hospitalized. Hart, a soldier miner, works on the Butte hill and lives at 313 South Idaho with his wife. Mrs Hart says she did not know the men reported riding with him.
Montana taxpayers faced a mixed year in 1943 with the state levy at its lowest level ever while federal tax demands nearly doubled, totaling 50 million dollars and surpassing state taxes for the first time in state history. Factors included stronger industry employment and higher incomes for farmers. Poultry freezes foreseen for military use after January 1, as wholesale circles forecast nationwide production halted.
Allied air fleet of more than 3,000 planes attacked the French invasion coast led by 1,300 American bombers joined by RAF and Allied aircraft. Subsidiary raids targeted Morlaix and Brest area while over 500 escort fighters protected the operation. Continuous massed bombing hit Pas de Calais as the Dover Strait rocket gun coast.
Chungking dispatch reports Sungtze retaken and Japanese remnants fleeing east. Four fifths of the rice bowl region back under Chinese control with strongpoints recaptured southeast of Sungtze. Other units close in on Kungan and Shihshow as Japanese establish a new line between Sungtze and Huto rivers amid expected fighting.
In New York on Christmas Eve a fast moving blaze swept the Standard hotel killing 17 people. The brick building on 42nd Street between Ninth and Tenth Avenues housed hundreds, with several victims leaping from windows. Firemen fought frigid conditions and a rapid fire rise, bringing the flames under control in two hours. Authorities noted the toll could rise to 20.
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