23 Dec 1944
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 29 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Winchester Evening Star
Location
Winchester, Virginia, United States of America
Date
Dec 23, 1944
Page
1
Soviet announce destruction of 101 German tanks in 24 hours supports German claims that a major winter offensive is under way. Weather favors Russian attacks as 270000 troops move in Latvia with 30 Nazi divisions pocketed. fighting reported north of Budapest between the Ipoly and Gran rivers.
London dispatch quotes Paris correspondent on German women drops behind American lines. Seven women allegedly arrested confessing a mission to seduce U S soldiers and then kill, according to reports from near the 1st Army front.
Brig. Gen. Clarence Kane of San Diego California and Pairfield Ohio is named commanding general of the Air Service Command for Europe. He succeeds Maj. Gen. Hugh Knerr who remains as deputy commander for U S Strategic Air Forces in Europe.
Moscow radio cited a Bucharest dispatch reporting two landowners attempted to kill Romanian Vice-Premier Peter Groga during a theater event. The incident underscores political tension in Romania as authorities investigate the suspected assailants and motive.
An American army officer just returned from the Western Front barricaded himself in a Leeds hotel room with a sten gun for six hours and menaced all who tried to enter. Firemen finally entered through a window and overpowered him. his identity was not released.
The Colonial Arts and Crafts Shop will be closed Tuesday December 26 to give employees an extra holiday.
Special notice states Rustic Tavern will close for Xmas week and New Year holidays and reopen Tuesday January 2. Wishing patrons a Merry Xmas and a Prosperous New Year from owners Mr and Mrs R W Baker.
Washington dispatch says War Mobilization Director James F. Byrnes urged all horse racing tracks to close by January 3, 1945. Winter meets are underway in Florida California West Virginia and Louisiana as wartime manpower and transport needs rise. He asked the War Manpower Commission to withdraw ceiling authorizations allowing tracks to continue.
New York dispatch reports race track operators ready to cooperate with War Mobilization Director James F. Byrnes. Col. Matt Win heads Churchill Downs Empire City and Lincoln Fields and says obey the boss. Gulf Stream closes today Miami and tropical park opens Monday with Hialeah to follow in January. Santa Anita to resume December 30 after a two year lapse.
American Fortresses and Fighters launched raids from England into western Germany ending a three day pause. British Lancasters and Halifaxes hit Rhine rail yards at Coblenz and Bingen as six German fighters were shot down and three British planes were lost in the night actions.
President Roosevelt congratulated the Merchant Marine and extended Christmas greetings to the seamen for the job they have done. The message highlights appreciation from Washington on December 23.
Moscow radio reported a Soviet commission found about 700000 people tortured and killed in the Lwow extermination camp with additional 200000 killed at Janow. It cites forced typhoid, corpses exhumation, gold recovery, and a Himmler order to burn remains.
Front Royal Virginia plant of American Viscose Corporation begins production in a new unit started in 1943 at government request. Output will rise toward full capacity. employees to reach 3,500 by fall 1945 as capacity expands from 25 million to 82 million pounds of high tenacity rayon yarn annually.
Washington December 23 The Army lists a Christmas menu including roast turkey and dressing giblet gravy cranberry sauce snowflake and sweet potatoes green beans asparagus fresh fruit salad mayonnaise celery pickles olives hot rolls and coffee It notes the menu may vary in combat areas and expresses hope everyone will get his share.
A British military bulletin reports ELAS forces attacked Rightist guerrillas led by Gen Napoleon Zervas in northwest Greece, violating Caserta terms. British troops surge at Piraeus harbor as clashes ease in Athens while a cease fire offer to Lt Gen Scobie is debated.
Last night’s weather failed to materialize with a sunny day lifting local hopes for Christmas travel. Temperatures rose from 22 to 34 degrees by 11 30 as the State Weather Bureau forecast clouds and a warm start Sunday with possible rain later in the west and east portions. Local residents plan trips away from home but monitor reports for any sleet or snow that could affect travel.
The 700 long distance operators for AT and T in Philadelphia delay a strike set for Christmas Eve and plan to walk out January 15 if wage demands are unmet. They seek a blanket $5 weekly raise and a boost of starting pay from $19 to $24, hoping the War Labor Board will rule in their favor.
Va. Loan and Thrift Corp announces weekend schedule changes starting December 23 1944 with closing time at 1 p m Saturdays until further notice. The notice appears in a local beer related listing from the Terminal Tavern item.
A public shooting event at the Winchester Gun Club on Christmas Day features target practice for turkeys and geese. The match opens around 11 o clock and welcomes all attendees.
American infantry on Leyte advance toward Palompon with mounting enemy dead found at 12,873 in the last seven days. Mindoro air raids continue with seven Japanese planes down and two U S fighters lost.
Dec. 23 London reports heavy snowfall on the western front promises a white Christmas for American troops yet many face fighting. Some will dine in battle while others rely on canned rations. parcels reach troops, but some are lost. Field Marshal Montgomery urges troops to persevere as Christmas is shared with British and Canadian forces and many U.S. soldiers will be hosted in private homes.
A brief New Year message from Boyer Cash Grocery extends wishes to friends and patrons for a bright and cheerful year ahead, likely a storefront greeting on page one.
A shipment of Christmas toys and children's rockers arrived at Golden Glow Coffee Shop. The reader is urged to check inventory and arrange display.
Twenty first bomber command reports 150 Japanese planes attacked Nagoya to halt damage at Mitsubishi aircraft works. B29s defended the factories for two and a half hours, with no B29 losses and several enemy interceptors damaged or destroyed. Pilots described intense fighter opposition and Japan’s lack of success.
The forecast hints at possible snow over the Christmas holidays but emphasizes uncertainty. Yesterday light snow covered many areas and Richmond saw its first snow of the season. The highway department urged motorists to watch for ice while reporting that main roads remained usable today and tomorrow. Snow fell across the Blue Ridge region and reached Roanoke Lynchburg Newport News and Danville.
Paris dispatch reports the first German spies captured in American uniforms during the Nazi counter offensive were executed after a court martial. Three officers wore U.S. uniforms, were caught near Liege, and admitted they were trained to impersonate Americans to reconnoiter bridges and roads along the Meuse.
Western Front reports NHQ says Nazis within 29 miles of Sedan after a 40 mile advance through Luxembourg and southern Belgium as Patton’s Third Army slows with a south flank attack and doughboys hold the north. Eastern Front cites new Russian attacks on Latvia with Moscow hinting winter offensive as 101 German tanks are destroyed in 24 hours. Southern Front notes Canadians widening the Senio line and Americans south of Bologna with a strong British push in northwest Greece. Pacific Front places Yanks within ten miles of Palompon as Japanese flee a Leyte port. 38 enemy aircraft downed, Tokyo claims two American ships sunk.
Headquarters Thirty First Division Morotai Island December 23 A Dixie division infantry outpost received mail from home after a bundle fell into a syrup pot during a drop rescued by Sgt Harold Bank of Tuscaloosa Alabama.
Winchester residents expect a peaceful Christmas Eve with church services and Christmas Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Police anticipate little disruption as stores close for Christmas Day and offices pause, while a Christmas Day shooting match at the Wan Gun Club and a public bog held Tuesday mark local observances.
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