America at war! (1941– ) (Part 1)

8334

Die Lage in Französisch-Nordafrika –
Pétain übernimmt den Oberbefehl

Vichy, 10. November –
Wie amtlich verlautbart wurde, hat Marschall Pétain den Oberbefehl über die französischen Land-, Luft- und Seestreitkräfte übernommen. Dies wurde durch das Büro des Staatschefs der Öffentlichkeit in folgender Form zur Kenntnis gebracht:

Um 12,30 Uhr hat Marschall Pétain folgenden Entschluß gefaßt: In Abwesenheit von Admiral Darlan übernehme ich ab heute den Oberbefehl über die Land-, Luft- und Seestreitkräfte. Für den Augenblick gibt es nur eine Losung: Jeder erfüllt seine Pflicht in Ordnung, Ruhe und Disziplin.

Über die weitere Entwicklung der militärischen Lage in Nordafrika teilte das Informationsministerium am Dienstagabend folgendes mit: Marokko: Am Montagabend dementierte der Generalresident‚ daß in Agadir oder in Mogador feindliche Landungen erfolgt seien – Casablanca: Von 9 Uhr bis 20 Uhr wurde eine Feindkolonne, die aus Richtung Fedala kam, von heftigem Artilleriefeuer aufgehalten. Die Verteidigung wurde verstärkt durch die mittelschweren Geschütze des Schlachtschiffes Jean Bart. In diesem Augenblick kreuzten auf See drei Torpedoboote und fünf Transporter.

Mehedia dreimal zurückerobert

Oran: Am Dienstagmorgen sieht die Lage folgendermaßen aus: Drei Küstenbatterien sind in Tätigkeit. Der Hafen ist freiwillig gesperrt worden. Im Süden ist die Stadt vom Feinde frei. Eine weitere aus Nordafrika in Vichy eingetroffene Meldung besagt: Die französischen Truppen‚ die aus weiter zurückliegenden Gebieten herangezogen wurden‚ sind im Anmarsch auf Oran, um die Stadt vom Feind wieder zu befreien. In dem Gebiet von Orleansville und Blida haben unsere Bataillone die Berührung mit dem Feind aufgenommen. Die Haltung der Truppen von General Nogues ist vorzüglich. Innerhalb von 48 Stunden eroberten unsere Truppen dreimal Mehedia zurück, wodurch jede weitere Landung bei Mehedia verhindert wurde.

Die Lage in der Stadt Algier ist noch nicht restlos geklärt. Eine amtliche französische Mitteilung hatte bekanntgegeben‚ daß die französischen Truppen den Widerstand eingestellt haben‚ nachdem amerikanische Streitkräfte in die Stadt eingedrungen waren. Nach neueren Nachrichten jedoch dauern die Kämpfe in der Stadt noch an, wobei die Amerikaner Panzerstreitkräfte einsetzen. Die Yankees sollen das Fort Santa Cruz besetzt haben, das den Hafen beherrscht. Nach den am Abend vorliegenden Meldungen bewegt sich eine amerikanische Kolonne im Gebiet von Algier in Richtung Bou-Saada; unsere Truppen im Innern bereiten sich jedoch darauf vor, diesen amerikanischen Truppen heftigen Widerstand entgegenzusetzen. Unsere Truppen halten sich im Gebiet von Blida und Kolea. In Oran, wo die Amerikaner Fuß gefaßt haben, sind unsere Gegenangriffe sehr rege. 20 feindliche Maschinen wurden zum Absturz gebracht. General-gouverneur Chatel, der seinen Posten unter sehr schwierigen Bedingungen übernommen hatte‚ nahm die Leitung der Geschäfte in Algerien im Namen der französischen Regierung in seine Hände. Er ist die „Seele des zivilen Widerstandes“.

In Gibraltar ist ein britischer Zerstörer eingelaufen‚ der eine große Anzahl von Verwundeten ausbootete.

8335

USA.-Truppen auf Guadalcanar eingeschlossen –
Japanische Offensive in vollem Gange

dnb. Berlin, 10. November –
Den Japanern ist es gelungen, die amerikanischen Truppen auf Guadalcanar auf engstem Raum zusammenzudrängen. Seit dem Mittag des 8. November ist die Vernichtungsschlacht auf der ganzen Frontbreite entbrannt. Die japanische Marineluftwaffe greift mit starken Kräften in die Erdkämpfe ein und zerstört im Tiefangriff das amerikanische Stellungssystem. Allein an der bisher von den Amerikanern besetzten Nordküste der Insel wurden bereits am 8. November 141 Bunker und zahlreiche Erdbefestigungen zerstört.

In Australien hält man den Höhepunkt des Kampfes auf den Salomoninseln, der möglicherweise den Ausgang des Krieges in der Südsee entscheidend beeinflußt, ebenfalls für gekommen. Die nordamerikanischen Truppen sind auf den kleinen Fleck Erde des Henderson-Flugplatzes, der etwa 11‚5 Kilometer lang und 4 Kilometer breit ist, zusammengedrängt und haben durch das schwere japanische Bombardement äußerst schwere Verluste gehabt.

Britische Presseberichte bezeichnen diese Beschießung als die schwerste, die jemals auf dem pazifischen Kriegsschauplatz stattgefunden hat. Ein nordamerikanischer Major, der gerade von einem Besuch der Kampflinie nach Australien zurückkehrte‚ äußerte Pressevertretern gegenüber, daß Guadalcanar der „heißeste“ Fleck im ganzen britischen Empire sei.

Nach australischen Meldungen griffen japanische Bombengeschwader die nordamerikanischen Stellungen an, als gerade die ersten Verstärkungen für die dezimierten Marineinfanteristen eintrafen. Im Laufe des Sonntagnachmittags und -abends hielten diese Luftangriffe an und wurden außerdem durch Artillerie verstärkt, die die Japaner zum erstenmal seit der nordamerikanischen Landung auf Guadalcanar ins Treffen führten.

Nachdem die Japaner auf diese Weise die Anlagen auf dem Henderson-Flugplatz in Brand geschossen hatten, griff auch die japanische Flotte ein und eröffnete ein vier Stunden dauerndes Feuer von Schlachtschiffen, Kreuzern und Zerstörern aus Kalibern von 12,5- bis 35-Zentimeter-Geschützen. Von diesem Zeitpunkt an hat das japanische Feuer in irgend einer Form keine Unterbrechung erfahren. Auch in der Nacht zum Montag hielt die Beschießung ununterbrochen an.

Der Kriegsschauplatz auf Guadalcanar ähnelt dem auf der Halbinsel Malakka. Dichte Urwälder bedecken weite Strecken der Insel und erschweren die militärischen Operationen. Nur die Randgebiete an der Küste und das Hochland des 2500 Meter hohen Kavogebirges bieten günstigere Kampfbedingungen.

8336

Armistice Day
November 11, 1942, 11:00 a.m. EWT

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (D-NY)

Broadcast, Nov. 11, 11:00 a.m. EWT (MBS):

Here in Arlington, we are in the presence of the honored dead.

We are accountable to them – and to the generations yet unborn for whom they gave their lives.

Today, as on all Armistice Days since 1918, our thoughts go back to the First World War, and we remember with gratitude the bravery of the men who fought and helped to win that fight against German militarism.

But this year our thoughts are also very much of the living present, and of the future which we begin to see opening before us – a picture illumined by a new light of hope.

Today, Americans and their British brothers-in-arms are again fighting on French soil. They are again fighting against a German militarism which transcends a hundred-fold the brutality and barbarism of 1918.

The Nazis of today – and their appropriate associates, the Japanese have attempted to drive history into reverse, to use all the mechanics of modern civilization to drive humanity back to conditions of pre-historic savagery.

They sought to conquer the world, and for a time they seemed to be successful in realizing their boundless ambition. They over ran great territories. They enslaved – they killed.

But, today, we know and they know that they have conquered nothing. Today, they face inevitable, final defeat.

The forces of liberation are advancing.

Britain, Russia, China and the United States grow rapidly to full strength. The opponents of decency and justice have passed their peak.

And – as the result of recent events – the United Nations’ forces are being joined by large numbers of the fighting men of our traditional ally, France. On this day, of all days, it is heartening for us to know that soldiers of France go forward with the United Nations.

The American Unknown Soldier who lies here did not give his life on the fields of France merely to defend his American home for the moment that was passing. He gave it that his family, his neighbors, and all his fellow Americans might live in peace in the days to come. His hope was not fulfilled.

American soldiers are giving their lives today in all the continents and on all the seas in order that the dream of the Unknown Soldier may at last come true. All the heroism and all the unconquerable devotion that free men and women are showing in this war shall make certain the survival and the advancement of civilization. That is why on this day of remembrance we do not cease from our work, and that in going about our tasks in behalf of our fighting men everywhere, our thoughts turn in gratitude to those who have saved our nation in days gone by.

We stand in the presence of the honored dead.

We stand accountable to them, and to the generations yet unborn for whom they gave their lives.

God, the Father of all living, watches over these hallowed graves and blesses the souls of those who rest here. May He keep us strong in the courage that will win this war, and may He impart to us the wisdom and the vision that we shall need for true victory in the peace which is to come.

At this moment, great events are taking place in France and Africa, and I think it is particularly appropriate that we greet here today the General of the Armies of the United States.

And I know that I speak for all of you here – I know that I speak for all Americans – men, women and children, in every part of this great land – that I extend our American affectionate greetings to General Pershing.

8337
World News Special, Nov. 11 (CBS):

U.S. Navy Department (November 11, 1942)

Communiqué No. 188

North Pacific.
On November 9:

  1. U.S. Army planes destroyed seven float-type enemy “Zeros” in an attack on Holtz Bay, Attu Island. No opposition was encountered and all our planes returned.

  2. U.S. Army bombers attacked and damaged two enemy cargo vessels at Kiska. One of our planes was damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire, but all returned.

South Pacific.
On November 10:

  1. During the morning, two Grumman “Wildcats” dived through a formation of 15 “Zeros” at an altitude of 27,000 feet near Guadalcanal. One “Zero” was shot down.

  2. U.S. troops, supported by Army planes, continued offensive operations against the enemy on the eastern and western flanks of our positions on Guadalcanal Island.

  3. During the late afternoon, U.S. planes attacked a force of five enemy destroyers to the eastward of New Georgia Island. Results were not observed.

Recent reports state that eight float-type “Zeros” and eight float-type biplanes (instead of five and seven respectively) were destroyed in the action announced in paragraph 2 (d) of Navy Department Communiqué No. 186.

8338

The Pittsburgh Press (November 11, 1942)

U.S.-NAZI BATTLE NEAR
German pour into France; fleet may join Allies; Tunisian drive on

American column rushes to engage Germans landed from air
By C. R. Cunningham, United Press staff writer

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8339

French help us, Roosevelt says

‘They didn’t die in vain,’ President declares at Arlington

Washington (UP) –
President Roosevelt welcomes “large numbers of the fighting men” of France who have joined the United Nations in an Armistice Day speech in which he paid tribute to Americans who died on French soil in 1918.

Standing in the cold, wind-swept amphitheater of Arlington National Cemetery, Mr. Roosevelt said Axis forces faced “inevitable, final defeat” which would bring true the dream of the Unknown Soldier of 1918 who fought that his fellow Americans “might live in peace in the days to come.”

Participating with the President in ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was 82-year-old Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of the armies of the United States and leader of the victorious American forces in World War I.

Pershing beside Roosevelt

The aged general, huddled in a campaign greatcoat of 1918 style, stood by the President as taps sounded over the tomb where rests “in honored glory” an American soldier “known only to God.”

Later, while Mr. Roosevelt spoke, Gen. Pershing sat beside him wrapped in several blankets to ward off the cold.

Lt. Col. Chester Hammon, White House military aide, laid a wreath of yellow chrysanthemums on the Unknown Soldier’s tomb on behalf of the President, while leaders of the Army, Navy and the American Legion looked on. The national commander of the Legion, Roane Waring, and Mrs. Alfred J. Mathebat, Legion auxiliary president, spoke after the President.

The President said:

Today, Americans and their British brothers-in-arms are again fighting on French soil. They are again fighting against a German militarism which transcends a hundred-fold the brutality and barbarism of 1918.

Pays tribute to general

The President, extending his prepared remarks, paid tribute to Gen. Pershing.

He said:

At this moment, great events are taking place in France and Africa, and I think it is particularly appropriate that we greet here today the General of the Armies of the United States.

And I know that I speak for all of you here – I know that I speak for all Americans – men, women and children, in every part of this great land – that I extend our American affectionate greetings to Gen. Pershing.

‘Make history in reverse’

Declaring that “forces of liberation are advancing,” Mr. Roosevelt said:

Britain, Russia, China and the United States grow rapidly to full strength. The opponents of decency and justice have passed their peak.

And – as the result of recent events – the United Nations’ forces are being joined by large numbers of the fighting men of our traditional ally, France. On this day, of all days, it is heartening for us to know that soldiers of France go forward with the United Nations.

The President said:

The Nazis of today – and their appropriate associates, the Japanese have attempted to drive history into reverse, to use all the mechanics of modern civilization to drive humanity back to conditions of pre-historic savagery.

He continued:

They sought to conquer the world, and for a time they seemed to be successful in realizing their boundless ambition. They overran great territories. They enslaved – they killed.

But, today, we know and they know that they have conquered nothing. Today, they face inevitable, final defeat.

Standing “in the presence of the honored dead,” Mr. Roosevelt said that those who gave their lives in the last war did not do so merely to defend their American homes “for the moment that was passing.”

Pershing at ceremonies

Throughout the nation, scores of ceremonies will mark the observance, but war industries will continue to operate full blast to produce the materials for the present war and – unlike other Armistice Days – most other businesses will remain open.

Although this was the first Armistice Day to be observed with the United States actively engaged in war, it came at a time when optimism over eventual victory for the democracies was at its highest peak.

Calls on all to help

In his Armistice Day proclamation, Mr. Roosevelt noted that:

The United States, in company with the United Nations, must once more champion the essential freedoms – freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear – on a worldwide battlefield.

He said that:

Faith can be kept with those who died in the First World War only by resolutely prosecuting to final victory in the great war in which we are now engaged, and by crowning that victory with a peace which shall safeguard and extend those essential freedoms.

Then he called on the people of the United States to rededicate the nation:

…to the great task of winning this war and building a just peace in order that we and our children may live in a world made free to work toward human advancement.

8340

Facts belie wild rumors about Pétain

Vichy more likely to bow to Hitler; French say they do just that
By Joe Alex Morris, United Press foreign editor

…

8341

At sea, Axis says –
Darlan holds fate of fleet

French ships might join Americans at Tunis
By William B. Dickinson, United Press staff writer

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8342

American troops in Rabat pay tribute to French hero

By C. R. Cunningham, United Press staff writer

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8343

WAR BULLETINS!

London, England –
Italian troops have reached Chambery, in French Savoy, Havas reported today from Lyons. Chambery is about 60 miles from the Italian frontier on the southeast border of France.

Berlin, Germany – (broadcast recorded in London)
The German news agency DNB reported from Vichy that Americans interned there, including members of the Embassy, would leave by special train for Pau in southwestern France.

Rome, Italy – (broadcast recorded in New York)
Radio Rome asserted that Axis airplanes and submarines had sunk or heavily damaged 15 warships and merchantmen in Algiers waters, including a cruiser, eight large merchant ships, and a 14,000-ton troop transport.

London, England –
The Nazi-controlled Radio Paris broadcast reports from Lisbon that a “communist” revolt movement in Portugal has been suppressed by the government and 1,000 revolutionaries had been arrested. The revolutionaries were said to have been seeking British and American intervention in Portugal. Large quantities of arms were found, the broadcast said.

New York –
The British radio quoted a Vichy broadcast today that “the big naval port of Bizerte [in Tunisia] has been occupied by Italian Marines,” CBS reported.

Vichy, France – (French broadcast recorded in London)
A Havas News Agency report said today that the French Fleet was still at Toulon at 4 p.m. today (11 a.m. ET).

Montréal, Québec, Canada –
The CBC quoted Vichy sources today as reporting that the portions of the French Fleet based at Toulon had steamed out to a rendezvous in the Central Mediterranean to join the British and American fleets.

London, England –
The BBC today carried an appeal from Allied headquarters to all units of the French Fleet in the Mediterranean to assemble at Gibraltar. It urged crews unable to get their ships out of port to scuttle them rather than let them fall into German hands.

London, England –
The Admiralty announced today that a British submarine has “successfully attacked” an enemy force of three cruisers and three destroyers east of Sicily.

London, England –
The British Admiralty in a formal communiqué denied tonight that the French Fleet units at Alexandria have been taken over by the British Navy. The reports were issued by the German radio.

8344

Roosevelt, King George pledge invasion of Europe next year

Leaders openly warn Axis to expect more, bigger ‘second fronts’

…

8345

Marines win superiority in Guadalcanal

Bigger battle expected to follow lull; more Japs land
By Sandor S. Klein, United Press staff writer

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8346

Navy Department says –
200 Japs slain by Marine in Guadalcanal landing

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8347

Latin American heads will visit Roosevelt

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8348

Gas ration protests pour in on Congress

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8349

Woman denies knowing Haupt was saboteur

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8350

Services will take 9,700,000 by 1944

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8351

U.S. fliers bag tanks, planes near Algiers

Ground forces make good envoys, hand out many cigarettes
By John A. Parris, United Press staff writer

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8352

Hitler follows road that led to defeat in 1918

By William Philip Simms, Scripps-Howard foreign editor

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8353

U.S. awards medal to flying general

…