America at war! (1941– ) (Part 1)

516

U.S. War Department (January 21, 1942)

Communiqué No. 68

Philippine Theater.
In particularly savage fighting on the Bataan Peninsula, U.S. and Philippine troops drove back the enemy and re-established lines which previously had been penetrated. The Japanese, by infiltrations and frontal attacks near the center of the line, had gained some initial successes. Our troops then counterattacked and all positions were retaken. Enemy losses were very heavy. Our casualties were relatively moderate.

One of Gen. MacArthur’s guerilla bands operating in the Cagayan Valley in northern Luzon scored a brilliant local success in a surprise raid on a hostile airdrome at Tuguegarao. The Japanese were taken completely by surprise and fled in confusion, leaving 110 dead on the field. Approximately 300 others were put to flight. Our losses were very light.

There is nothing to report from other areas.

517

The Pittsburgh Press (January 21, 1942)

Profiteering laid to unions and industry

House Naval Affairs probers demand reforms; reveal takes up to 247%

Washington, Jan. 21 (UP) –
The House Naval Affairs Committee today recommended enactment of legislation to stamp out profiteering, charging that industry and labor alike have attempted to enrich themselves with defense contracts.

“Excessive and unconscionable” profits of American industries – some ranging up to 247% and “many profits of 50% or more” – and an “astounding concentration of wealth” in labor unions – with 117 unions reporting assets of $82,594,959, an increase during 18 months of $10,679,294 – were highlights of a report of the committee’s investigation of the greatest naval building program in history.

The committee recommended Congressional action to block methods by which corporations and labor unions have fattened their treasuries at the expense of the taxpayer. Chairman Carl Vinson (D-GA) planned to submit legislation along those lines to the House soon.

Signed by 14 members

The report was signed by only 14 of the 27 members of the committee. Seven signed a dissenting view on the “conclusions and statements regarding labor.” Another member, Rep. Joseph B. Shannon (D-MO) filed a separate minority report demanding that all of the report dealing with labor be eliminated.

The committee recommended:

For industry:

That some method of profit limitation should be adopted to eliminate profiteering on defense contracts… to prevent excessive and unconscionable profits. Such measures are owed to the public which bears the enormous tax burden of defense costs.

For labor unions:

That suitable legislation be enacted requiring all labor unions to register with a suitable government agency and to furnish pertinent information concerning their officers, members and financial condition at periodic intervals.

It recommended passage of a law to curb strikes which the committee blamed for delay in two-ocean Navy construction.

Sit-down laid to capital

Mr. Shannon, defending organized labor, cited capital’s “sit-down strike” for huge profits as a condition of participation in the defense program and charged that the existence of such a condition was “a constant incitation to labor” to stop work.

The committee’s report which led to the recommendations listed 15 major corporations whose $2,342,705,137 of defense contracts represent 60% of all contracts examined.

The report was based on replies to questionnaires sent to naval contractors and labor unions and examination of contracts and Navy Department records. The committee revealed that one of the largest naval contractors – Bethlehem Shipbuilding Co., New York – had not answered the questionnaire. It said it was “at a loss” to understand that company’s failure to supply the requested information.

Refund offered

But the Bethlehem Steel Co., parent of Bethlehem Shipbuilding, has offered to “refund $750,000 of the excessive profits realized by its ship repair yards,” the report said. After the refund is deducted from profits on ship repairs, the report added, the profit on the cost of work performed amounts to 20.75%.

The report explained that the…

518

WAR BULLETINS!

Nazi soldier shot in Paris

Vichy, Jan. 21 –
The shooting of a German soldier outside an amusement center in Paris was disclosed today when German authorities advertised in newspapers for a witness. The authorities said through the newspapers that a number of suspects had been rounded up and they asked a girl who was believed to have witnessed the shooting to present herself to identify the assailant from among the suspects.

Mexico interns Japs

Mexico City, Jan. 21 –
The government announced tonight that 800 Japanese nationals who formerly resided in areas within 60 miles of Mexican frontiers or coastlines have been concentrated in Mexico City.

Burma expects new attack

Rangoon, Burma, Jan. 21 –
New Japanese thrusts into Burma during the next 10 days almost certainly may be expected, an official announcement warned today.

…

519

U.S. TROOPS ROUT JAPS
MacArthur’s Army regains Luzon ground

Filipino guerillas raid airfield in North; 41st Jap ship sunk
By Harrison Salisbury, United Press staff writer

The battlefronts in the Far East

Fullscreen capture 1252021 31814 PM.bmp
1. Britain due to declare war on Thailand as Thai troops invade Burma.
2. Nipponese 60 miles from Singapore as Jap planes blast at city.
3. Japs report 3 Allied battleships in Malacca Straits; Dutch Sumatra raided again.
4. Filipino guerillas raid Jap airdrome near Aparri.
5. Luzon defenders regain ground (black area); U.S. mosquito boat sinks Jap ship in Subic Bay.
6. Jap paratroops occupy all of northern arm of Celebes, Dutch admit.
7. Jap air fleet raids New Guinea, New Britain, Admiralty Isles, 275 miles from Australia.

Washington –
General Douglas MacArthur reported today that savage counterattacks have re-established his Bataan Province defense lines with “very heavy” Jap losses and revealed that Filipino guerillas far behind the lines have carried out a “brilliant” attack on an enemy submarine.

General MacArthur’s report of the guerilla success was the first to indicate that his efforts to establish organized behind-the-lines fighting on the model of the successful Russian tactics against the Germans are beginning to pay dividends.

The American general revealed that a guerilla force, operating in Cagayan River Valley of northeast Luzon, carried out a surprise raid on a Jap-occupied airdrome at Tuguegarao, just south of Aparri.

Take Japs by surprise

The communiqué said:

The Japanese were taken completely by surprise and fled in confusion, leaving 110 dead on the field. Approximately 300 others were put to flight. Our losses were very light.

General MacArthur gave no indication of the means by which he maintains contact with such guerilla bands but his reports have indicated that despite his withdrawal into the Bataan vastness, he left behind him an extensive and well-organized system of espionage and anti-Jap elements.

The scene of the guerilla action was some 200 miles north of General MacArthur’s line.

Savage battle rages

Presumably the guerillas swooped down on the Tuguegarao Airdrome, routed the Japanese and then disappeared again into the jungles and mountains where they maintain headquarters.

On the main fighting front in Bataan, the communiqué indicated, some of the most savage fighting of the war has been in progress.

The American communiqué admitted that Japanese had first succeeded by persistent pressure and weight of forces in occupying some American positions and penetrating the U.S. lines.

The communiqué said:

The Japanese, by infiltrations and frontal attacks near the center of the line, had gained some initial successes. Our troops then counterattacked and all positions were retaken. Enemy losses were very heavy. Our casualties were relatively moderate.

Mosquito boat sinks Jap ship

No place names or specific positions were revealed in the communiqué. However, it appeared that the Japanese may now control nearly a third of northern Bataan Peninsula. General MacArthur’s defense lines presumably cut across the waist of the 13-mile wide province, possible near Balanga on the east coast, running west to a point near Binanga.

The constant Jap pressure is increasing General MacArthur’s difficulty in maintaining his lines despite constant feats of daring by American fighting men.

The latest exploit was a “suicide”…

520

Saving face –
Argentina due to compromise

Way paved for Rio parley to act against Axis

By Everett R. Holles, United Press staff writer

Rio de Janeiro, Jan. 21 –
Argentina was reported today to have agreed to a compromise on the resolution for a joint severance of all relations with the Axis nations by the 21 American republics.

The compromise, it was understood, was drafted by Foreign Minister Osvaldo Aranha of Brazil with the approval of the United States delegation, to enable Argentina to participate in the solid inter-American front in spite of her strong opposition to the resolution.

Referendum proposed

The compromise would permit the American republics to submit the severance resolution to a referendum of the cabinets and congresses of their respective countries, thus giving each country freedom of action but achieving a unanimous vote on the measure in the conference of foreign ministers.

One conference source explained that actually the original resolution without such compromise provisions would have required the approval of the respective American governments. It was believed improbably that the 21 nations would break with the Axis simultaneously, although 19 of the countries might act in concert.

Chile will agree

It was believed that Chile also would agree to the reported compromise rather than remain the lone hideout, inasmuch as Chilean objections to the original resolution were similar to those of Argentina.

In Chile’s case, the domestic political situation is complicated by the presidential campaign terminating with the Feb. 1 elections.

No official confirmation of the compromise was available following the adjournment of a 50-minute plenary session of the full hemisphere defense committee which is handling the severance resolution, although it was stated in Brazilian Foreign Office quarters close to Sr. Aranha that the redraft had been approved.

It was believed that the redraft…

521

Nelson streamlines –
Arms shakeup abolishes OPM

Key personnel retained in new production setup

Washington, Jan. 21 (UP) –
War Production Chief Donald M. Nelson today streamlined the government organization directing the nation’s vast munitions industry.

He abolished the OPM and brought its functions directly under the new War Production Board as part of his plan to speed and expand the production of the guns, planes and tanks.

Mr. Nelson wrote finis to the OPM chapter in the war effort under the authority delegated to him by President Roosevelt in the executive order setting up the WPB. But key men in the dead agency were transferred to the WPB, where their duties will be to advise Mr. Nelson, whose decisions in all matters will be final.

Knudsen, Hillman stay

The production generalissimo retained Sidney Hillman, associate OPM director, as new director of the WPB labor division. Lt. Gen. William S. Knudsen, former OPM director, who was recently placed in charge of War Department production, will also continue to function as an adviser to Mr. Nelson on the WPB.

The changes in the war production setup was were announced by Mr. Nelson at a press conference – his first since becoming chief – at which he also said that he would establish a “brain trust” to help map the broad policy which must be followed to utilize the nation’s tremendous production machinery.

Auto ‘czar’ named

He disclosed that he had named Ernest Kanzler, head of the former OPM auto committee and Ford Motor Co. executive, to head the new auto branch of the WPB. He said Mr. Kanzler would have “every authority” to direct the conversion of auto production lines to the output of planes, tanks and guns.

Obviously referring to the dispute which tore apart the first labor-industry committee named to plane the auto conversion program, Mr. Nelson said:

This is to be no debating society. We’re going to get action.

Asked about the fate of small…

522

‘Deadlier than ever’ –
Japs raid isles near Australia

Aussie pilots may be recalled from England
By Byron C. Taves, United Press staff writer

Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 21 –
Jap bombs fell on island outposts within 275 miles of Australia today and stirred the commonwealth to realization that its defense fight is now close to home.

A downpour of enemy bombs on New Guinea, Bismark and the Admiralty Islands was followed by reports that war cabinet talks at Canberra next week may lead to the recall to Australia of pilots and air crews attached to Royal Australian Air Force squadrons in Britain.

An RAAF communiqué announced that 40 Jap bombers, protected by 20 fighter planes, bombed Kavieng, in the Bismark group, while three attacked Madang, northern New Guinea, and more than 50 bombers and fighters ranged down the Guinea coast to attack Salamaua and other objectives. The Salamaua Airdrome was bombed. Big flying boats and both shore-based and carrier fighting planes were used in the assaults.

Previously, the New Britain port of Rabaul, lying about 780 miles north of Australia’s northernmost point, Cape York, had been attacked, leading Prime Minister John Curtin to quote from Byron’s The Eve of Waterloo the lines:

Nearer, clearer and deadlier than ever before.

Before leaving for Perth, on his…

523

Bill to raise Army age limit introduced

Washington (UP) –
Jack Dempsey will be allowed to enlist in the Army if Congressman Samuel A. Weiss, Allegheny County Democrat, has his way.

He introduced a bill today to remove the Army age limit of 35 for men able to qualify for special or technician ratings.

The former heavyweight champion was found physically fit, but was barred because he is 46.

Mr. Weiss said:

In the Naval Reserve, the present law permits enlistments up to 50 years of age and the purpose of my bill is to make the law for the Army correspond to that of the Navy.

524

Cemetery preferred to life in Germany

Johnson City, Tennessee (UP) –
A woman received a letter from a former resident here who married a German and moved to his country.

The letter was censored to meaningless scattered words except for the last sentence:

We are all happy here, but would be happier in Monte Vista.

Monte Vista is a local cemetery.

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525

Pursuit pilot killed as plane hits hill

Richmond, California (UP) –
An Army P-40 pursuit plane, flying in formation, crashed into a hill and burst into flames here yesterday, killing the pilot.

Hamilton Field authorities said Lt. Richard Samdner, 24, of Moccasin, California, was missing on the formation flight. The body of the dead pilot, however, was not identified immediately.

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526

War and priorities catch up with nickel

Washington (UP) –
War and priorities have finally caught up with the nickel – the magic touchstone that operates the telephone, the subway turnstile, the jukebox, the vending machine and other prime essentials of American civilization.

The old nickel was three-fourths nickel and one-fourth copper; the new nickel will be one-half silver and one-half copper.

A senate judiciary subcommittee voted late yesterday to take the nickel out of the nickel at the request of Donald M. Nelson, the nation’s war production chief. The 5¢ piece has been taking up an average of 435 tons of nickel a year.

527

Harvey Firestone’s sons apply for active service

Akron, Ohio (UP) –
Two sons of the late Harvey S. Firestone, founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company of Akron, applied for active service in the nation’s armed services today.

Leonard K. Firestone, 34, president of the Firestone Aviation Products Company, asked for a commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve and said he expected to be called to active duty. Raymond C. Firestone, 34, president of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company of Tennessee, who holds a reserve second lieutenancy in the field artillery, requested service in the Army.

529

Enemy broadcast –
Tōjō warns Japanese Diet: ‘It might take a long time’

Dispatches from enemy countries are based on broadcasts over controlled radio stations, as they frequently contain false statements for propaganda purposes. Bear this in mind.

Tokyo –
Premier Hideki Tōjō warned the 79th session of the Diet today that Japan:

…must be prepared for the difficulties of various tasks that may arise in the future so that the present war will become a successful one.

Speaking at the opening session of the Diet called to vote more war funds, Tōjō said that although the United States and Britain suffered early setbacks:

It is not difficult to imagine that they will stubbornly resist and try to turn the tide.

He said Japan, working on close cooperation with Germany and Italy, was prepared to fight until the United States and the British Empire “are brought to their knees.”

Foreign Minister Shigenori Tōgō urged the Japanese people to:

…surmount every obstacle in your path and bering this glorious enterprise to a successful conclusion.

…and said American and British:

…bases of aggression in East Asia are crumbling one after another.

He said Japan had gone to war to:

…emancipate East Asia from Anglo-American domination… and we are marching forward toward realization of this great task.

Of Japan’s relations with other nations, the Diet was told:

Australia:

Japan will show no mercy if they continue resisting.

Dutch East Indies:

Japan harbors no enmity toward the people of the Netherlands East Indies. Now, however, that America, Britain, the Netherlands and Chungking in collusion have turned their countries into a military base, and the NEI itself has embarked on a course of flagrant hostilities, we have been compelled to commence armed hostilities against that country.

The Philippines:

Japan will gladly enable the Philippines to enjoy the honor of independence and to further cooperate with us as one of the partners toward the establishment of Greater East Asia.

A similar promise was extended to British Burma. Tōgō said Japan intends to convert the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaya and the Dutch East Indies into “bulwarks for the defense of Greater East Asia.”

China:

There still exist elements in Chungking that rely on America and Britain, but I believe the day is not far distant when they too, reflecting on the entire mission of Greater East Asia, cooperate in the construction of the new order.

Russia:

The relations between Japan and the Soviet Union… are fully regulated by the Neutrality Pact. Rumors emanating from various places should not have any effect on the relations of Japan and the Soviet Union.

Thailand:

On Dec. 23, Thailand concluded a treaty and alliance with Japan. The Japanese government extends congratulations to the Thai government for their far-sighted policy.

South America:

We are prepared to respect fully the position of the South American countries so long as they are not misled by American and British machinations, and do not adopt a hostile or unfriendly attitude toward Japan. The Japanese government, however, is paying close attention to the conference which now is in session. It is nothing but the Anglo-American design to dominate the whole world that Japan regards with hostility.

Germany and Italy:

However frantically American and Britain may endeavor to alienate Japan, Germany and Italy and their allies, there is no room for such imaginings. The iron will of the Axis powers is not to be compared with that of the so-called Allies.

530

British-Thai war declaration due

London, England (UP) –
Great Britain is expected to declare war on Thailand soon and well-informed sources forecast that the United States would do so also, because Thai troops are taking part in a Jap attack on Burma.

It was said that British and American officials were now discussing Thailand’s positions.

So far, Thailand has been classed by Britain as enemy-occupied. Informants said the problem of arranging the removal of the British diplomatic staff at Bangkok was one reason why Britain had delayed action toward changing the status.

Thai troops, which invaded Burma to a depth of 20 miles before being opposed, are meeting British resistance in heavy fighting north of Myawaddy, 70 miles northwest of Moulmein, a Madras dispatch to The Daily Mail said.

If Thai troops reach Moulmein, they and their Jap allies will be able to menace Rangoon, 100 miles by sea to the northwest.

531

U.S. War Department (January 22, 1942)

Communiqué No. 69

Philippine Theater.
From his field headquarters in the Philippine Islands, Gen. Douglas MacArthur announced the award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Maj. Thomas J. H. “Trap” Trapnell, Cavalry, for extraordinary heroism in action. Maj. Trapnell, who is a former football hero of the U.S. Military Academy, matched his brilliant gridiron career with outstanding exploits on the battlefield.

The action for which Maj. Trapnell was decorated took place at Rosario in La Union Province on December 22, 1941, while his cavalry unit was engaged in rear-guard operations. During concentrated enemy fire from tanks and infantry, Maj. Trapnell remained between the hostile force and his own troops and set fire to a truck on a bridge.

He waited under fire until the bridge was in flames before leaving the scene in a scout car. He then retired slowly with the rear elements of his organization, picked up wounded soldiers and rallied his men.

With complete disregard of his own personal safety, Maj. Trapnell delayed the hostile advance and set an inspiring example to his entire regiment.

Maj. Trapnell, who is 39 years old, was born in Yonkers, New York. He was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy from New Jersey and graduated in 1927. His athletic career, begun so auspiciously at West Point, continued after graduation. He has been active in a number of sports and is one of the Army’s outstanding polo players.

There is nothing to report from other areas.

Communiqué No. 70

Philippine Theater.
The Japanese are renewing their attacks all along General MacArthur’s lines on Bataan Peninsula. Particularly heavy fighting is in progress on the left and in the center. Enemy reinforcements are now being landed in Lingayen Gulf and Subic Bay. The entire Japanese 14th Army, under Lt. Gen. Homma, together with a number of other units, is now in Luzon.

Hostile air activity in Luzon was light during the past 24 hours.

On Sunday, 17 enemy bombers attacked the city of Cebu.

There is nothing to report from other areas.

532

The Pittsburgh Press (January 22, 1942)

Pan-American unanimity pledged –
Break with Axis near

Chile, Argentina accept redraft of resolution at Rio despite threat of reprisal attacks
By Everett C. Holles, United Press staff writer

Rio de Janeiro, Jan. 22 –
All 21 American republics sign a resolution today calling for a diplomatic break with the Axis.

Their representatives at the emergency conference of American foreign ministers foresaw the possibility of immediate reprisals, such as naval and air attacks along the South American coast, but none was fearful.

At the same time, it was reported that Brazil and possibly four other South American nations may sever their diplomatic relations with the Axis nations immediately to speed up the general Pan-American severance. The other nations were said to be Uruguay, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.

President Manuel Prado of Peru announced at Lima that the Peruvian Foreign Minister would announce at the “opportune moment” Peru’s decision to sever diplomatic relations.

The resolution was a redraft to…

533

In Philippines –
200,000 Japs launch attack

Bataan forces outnumbered 10–1
By Harrison Salisbury, United Press staff writer

Washington, Jan. 22 –
The War Department revealed today that Japan has thrown her 14th Army, aided by additional forces and a stream of heavy reinforcements, into a ferocious attack designed to blast General Douglas MacArthur from his strong lines in Bataan Province.

The Japanese forces, estimated at possibly 200,000 to 300,000 men, are commanded by a crack Japanese military figure, Lt. Gen. Masaharu Homma, a bluff, robust general who is well known both to American and English army circles.

General MacArthur reported that he is now engaged in fending off a very heavy assault by the 14th Army. This entire army is now ashore on Luzon, the communiqué revealed, and is rapidly concentrating against General MacArthur’s lines, backed up by additional reinforcements which are coming ashore.

American military circles described Homma as a very able commander. At 54, he has a very long record of important assignments, many of which have brought him into close contact with the Western world.

The huge Japanese forces, said the…

534

Two more ships now –
Navy promises U-boat revenge

45 seamen lost in new Atlantic attacks

Washington, Jan. 22 (UP) –
Americans waited patiently today for details of U.S. Navy retaliation against German submarines which in a week have attacked six merchant ships almost within sight of the Atlantic Seaboard and brought death to at least 75 seamen.

The Navy has assured the nation that “good news” will be forthcoming to counteract the week of “bad news” about Atlantic shipping. All available naval units – vessels and aircraft – are striking savagely at Hitler’s “rattlesnakes.”

It was believed that when the Navy considers the time is right to tell its story, the price German submarines have paid will more than offset the recent attacks.

Late yesterday, the Navy reported the fifth and sixth victims of submarine attacks. The American steamer City of Atlanta went to the bottom off Cape Hatteras early Monday with a loss of 43 or 44 men. The Latvian freighter Coltvaira was attacked and believed sunk off the Atlantic coast with the loss of two of its crew. Survivors of the Coltvaira arriving in New York and Charleston, SC, said the ship was “still floating” when they abandoned it and believed it could be salvaged.

The survivors’ stories about these attacks disclosed that the pattern of the submarine warfare is nearly the same in each case – attacks without warning under cover of darkness – no regard for the safety of the crews.

Only three of the City of Atlanta’s crew of 46 or 47 were rescued. The three survivors, upon arrival in Hoboken, NJ, told bitterly of the …

…

535

Help due in Far East –
600,000 troops moved to west

Hawaii and coast defenses stronger than ever

Washington, Jan. 22 (UP) –
A high government official said today that vast emergency military steps, invoked immediately after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, have resulted in strengthening of our entire West Coast defenses and Hawaii to unprecedented levels, and have paved the way for reinforcements in the Southwest Pacific.

A huge operation, involving the movement within the continental United States of some 600,000 troops, was carried out with a minimum of confusion and delay, the official said.

Planes flown to Hawaii

Large numbers of Army planes and men were moved quickly into their stations on the West Coast, from California to Alaska, to meet the threat when it appeared that Hawaii had been endangered and damaged more than actually proved to be the case, he said.

This official said that bombers were flown and pursuit craft were shipped immediately to Hawaii, with the result that it is now far stronger than before the surprise raid.

At the same time, steps were taken to send reinforcements into the Southwest Pacific. For military reasons, the source did not go into detail on the scope of this program.

…

536

U-boat attacks

Screenshot (15)
Here are the locations and dates of German submarine attacks off the Atlantic Coast:
1. Norness, Jan. 14
2. Coimbra, Jan. 15
3. Allan Jackson, Jan. 17
4. Malay, Jan. 19
5. City of Atlanta, Jan. 19
6. Ciltvaira, Jan. 19