Reading Eagle (August 13, 1942)
Marines smashing toward Solomons’ vital airfield
Foothold reported gained on fourth island in group
…
U.S. freighters join RAF units in 31 sorties
American Army planes enter European war on all-out scale for first time
…
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Court-martial frees soldier of attack
Somewhere in Britain (AP) –
The first United States Army general court-martial in Britain today acquitted Pvt. Travis P. Hammond, 25, of charges of attack.
Hammond, whose home is in Keltys, Texas, was accused of assaulting a 16-year-old English shopgirl who said she met him at a YMCA canteen and accompanied him and another couple to several pubs and then to an air-raid shelter.
The 11-man court deliberated two hours before reaching a verdict. The trial lasted four days.
Hammond was not released immediately. The court said only that he would not be freed “at this time."
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House okays bill to speed payments
No opposition is voted by 30 Congressmen
Washington (AP) –
Legislation permitting the War and Navy Departments to make immediate payments to dependents of servicemen under the recently-enacted allowance and allotment acts was passed by the House and sent to the Senate today.
The original legislation provided that first payments be made Nov. 1, but benefits started to accrue June 1.
Rep. Rankin (D-MS), sponsor of the amendment, said it was intended to enable the departments:
…to take care of the needy cases now.
There was no opposition to passage of the bill from among the approximately 30 members present, although previous attempts to consider it had been blocked, and the War Department had expressed opposition.
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Basic sugar ration will remain intact
Washington (INS) –
Barring a radical worsening of the shipping situation, sugar consumers can continue to expect the present one-half pound per week ration during the first nine months of 1943, the Office of Price Administration said today.
OPA said:
It is not believed that the present outlook warrants the hardship which would be imposed by a reduction of the ration below this level.
Harold B. Rowe, chief of the food rationing division, estimated that 4,173,000 tons of sugar will be required to maintain the minimum ration up to October 1 of next year, plus a reserve a 830,000 tons.
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Stephan files plea to escape hanging
Cincinnati, Ohio (AP) –
Max Stephan, Detroit restaurant owner, convicted of treason, asked the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today to save him from the hangman’s noose.
Court officials said they understood that Stephan’s counsel would ask the appellate judges to hear the case at the opening session Oct. 5 to permit presentation of arguments before the Nov. 13 execution date.
Stephan was convicted of speeding the flight of Oberleutnant Hans Peter Krug from a Canadian prison camp. Krug was captured in San Antonio, Texas.
U.S. Flying Fortresses ready to hit Germans
New York (UP) –
United States Flying Fortresses, manned by American crews, are ready to attack Germany “any time now,” the British radio said today in a broadcast recorded here by CBS.
The broadcast said:
The Flying Fortresses are waiting at British airdromes for the day when they will bomb Germany and more are on the way.
A correspondent, who has been visiting one of the airfields taken over by the U.S. Flying Fortresses, lined up and talked to their crews.
He said the Americans are all keen to be among the first United States units to raid Germany. They’ll be going any time now.
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U.S. Navy Department (August 14, 1942)
Navy Communiqué No. 106
The task of consolidating the shore positions now held by U.S. Marines in the Solomon Islands is progressing satisfactorily.
Naval units are engaged in protecting our lines of communication and escorting supply vessels to our occupying forces.
U.S. Army and Allied shore-based aircraft are continuing to attack Japanese air bases and ship concentrations in enemy-held harbors.
The Pittsburgh Press (August 14, 1942)
U.S. VICTORIES ACCLAIMED IN SOLOMONS
First phases of fray won, London hears
Marines reported seizing airfield and plane base; Japs claim 25 ships
…
Big U.S. troop convoy arrives in England
London, England (INS) –
Another large continent of American forces has arrived safely in the British Isles, it was announced today. It was one of the biggest troop convoys to reach the country.
The new arrivals were quoted as saying the trip across the Atlantic was uneventful – “like a peacetime crossing.”
The units included transport, artillery and anti-aircraft battalions. As the men came ashore, trains were waiting to take them to assigned areas.
The unloadings went through on clockwork schedule. British observers were amazed by the formidable array of personal arms and equipment brought by the Americans.
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