Christmas spirit to be carried to troops on all battlefronts
Presents, music, traditional dinner will invade every foxhole, trench
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Army newspaper opposed to proposal of ‘white rule’
Editors believe that all are created equal; and that all possess equal rights
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U.S. Navy Department (December 26, 1943)
CINCPAC Press Release No. 211
For Immediate Release
December 26, 1943
Army heavy bombers of the 7th Army Air Force attacked Wotje on December 24 (West Longitude Date). Several fires started.
Army light bombers of the 7th Army Air Force, escorted by Army Airacobras, raided Mille on December 25. Two of our bombers were slightly damaged.
A Navy search Liberator of Fleet Air Wing Two made a low altitude attack on two small transports near Kwajalein on December 24, probably sinking one transport. Another Navy Liberator, while on a search mission near Taroa on December 24, beat off twelve intercepting Zeros, without receiving damage.
EXECUTIVE ORDER 9412
Seizure and Operation of the Railroads
The President’s statement:
Railroad strikes by three Brotherhoods have been ordered for next Thursday. I cannot wait until the last moment to take action to see that the supplies to our fighting men are not interrupted. I am accordingly obliged to take over at once temporary possession and control of the railroads to insure their continued operation. The Government will expect every railroad man to continue at his post of duty. The major military offensives now planned must not be delayed by the interruption of vital transportation facilities. If any employees of the railroads now strike, they will be striking against the Government of the United States.
WHEREAS the continuous operation of transportation service in the Nation is necessary for the movement of troops, materials of war, necessary passenger traffic, and supplies and food for the Armed Forces and the civilian population, and is otherwise essential to the successful prosecution of the war; and
WHEREAS the continuous operation of some transportation systems is threatened by strikes called to commence on December 30, 1943;
NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, including the Act of August 29, 1916 (39 Stat. 645), and as President of the United States and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I hereby order:
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Possession and control of all common carriers by railroad, express companies, terminal companies and associations, sleeping, parlor, and railroad-owned or controlled private car companies (all hereinafter referred to as carriers) located in the continental United States, together with any and all appurtenances and facilities used in connection therewith, are hereby taken and assumed, through the Secretary of War, as of seven o’clock p.m., on the twenty-seventh day of December, 1943. Carriers taken over under this Order shall not include, because not now deemed necessary, street electric passenger railways, including railways commonly called interurbans, or local public transit systems whether or not the same be owned or controlled by any of the systems of transportation taken hereunder; but if and when the Secretary finds it necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Order, he may, by subsequent order, take and assume possession, control, and operation of all or any part of any transportation system, including subways and tunnels, and any transportation system so taken shall be deemed a carrier for the purposes of this Order.
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The Secretary of War is directed to manage and operate or arrange for the management and operation of the carriers taken under this Order in such manner as he deems necessary to assure to the fullest possible extent continuous and uninterrupted transportation service.
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In carrying out this Order the Secretary may act through or with the aid of such public or private instrumentalities or persons as he may designate, and may delegate such of his authority as he may deem necessary or desirable, with power of successive redelegation. The Secretary may issue such general anti special orders, rules, and regulations as may be necessary or appropriate for carrying out the purposes of this Order. All Federal agencies shall comply with the directives of the Secretary hereunder and shall cooperate to the fullest extent of their authority with the Secretary in carrying out the purposes of this Order.
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The Secretary shall permit the management of carriers taken under this Order to continue their respective managerial functions to the maximum degree possible consistent with the purposes of this Order. Except so far as the Secretary shall from time to time otherwise provide by appropriate order or regulation, the boards of directors, trustees, receivers, officers, and employees of such carriers shall continue the operation of the carriers, including the collection and disbursement of funds thereof, in the usual and ordinary course of the business of the carriers, in the names of their respective companies, and by means of any agencies, associations, or other instrumentalities now utilized by the carriers.
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Except so far as the Secretary shall from time to time otherwise determine and provide by appropriate orders or regulations, existing contracts and agreements to which carriers taken hereunder are parties shall remain in full force and effect. Nothing in this Order shall have the effect of suspending or releasing any obligation owed to any carrier affected hereby, and all payments shall be made by the persons obligated to the carrier to which they are or may become due. Except as the Secretary may otherwise direct, dividends on stock and sinking fund, principal, interest and other distributions upon bonds, debentures, and other obligations may be paid in due course, and expenditures for other ordinary corporate purposes may be made.
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The Secretary shall provide protection for all persons employed or seeking employment. The Secretary is authorized to prescribe the compensation to be received by such employees subject to any approval which may be required by applicable statutes, Executive Orders, and regulations relating to economic stabilization. To the extent deemed practical by him, he may maintain the working conditions which are specified in existing contracts between the carriers and their employees. He shall recognize the right of the workers to continue their membership in labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing with the representatives of the owners of the carriers, subject to the provisions of applicable statutes and Executive Orders, as to matters pertaining to wages to be paid or conditions to prevail after termination of possession, control, and operation under this Order; and to engage in concerted activities for the purpose of such collective bargaining or for other mutual aid or protection, provided that in his opinion such concerted activities do not interfere with the operation of the carriers.
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Except as this Order otherwise provides and except as the Secretary otherwise directs, the operation of carriers hereunder shall be in conformity with the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended, the Railway Labor Act, the Safety Appliance Acts, the Employers’ Liability Acts, and other applicable Federal and State laws, Executive Orders, local ordinances, and rules and regulations issued pursuant to such laws, Executive Orders, and ordinances.
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Except with the prior written consent of the Secretary, no receivership, reorganization, or similar proceeding affecting any carrier taken hereunder shall be instituted, and no attachment by mesne process, garnishment, execution, or otherwise shall be levied on or against any of the real or personal property or other assets of any such carrier, provided that nothing herein shall prevent or require approval by the Secretary of any action authorized or required by any interlocutory or final decree of any United States court in reorganization proceedings now pending under the Bankruptcy Act or in any equity receivership cases now pending.
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From and after seven o’clock p.m. on the said twenty-seventh day of December, 1943, all properties taken under this Order shall be conclusively deemed to be within the possession and control of the United States without further act or notice.
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Possession, control, and operation of any carrier or carriers, or parts thereof, taken under this Order shall be terminated by the Secretary as soon as he determines that such possession, control, and operation are no longer required to prevent interruption of transportation service.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 26, 1943
The Pittsburgh Press (December 26, 1943)
8th Army locked in savage battle
Battle for Ortona likened to Stalingrad fight in miniature
By C. R. Cunningham, United Press staff writer
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Britons may get 2 invasion posts
Tedder and Ramsay seen as air, sea commanders
By Edward W. Beattie, United Press staff writer
London, England – (Dec. 25)
Two British officers will probably be given the top air and sea commands for the invasion of Western Europe under the supreme command of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, it was understood today.
Air Chf. Mshl. Sir Arthur W. Tedder, commander-in-chief of all Allied air forces in the Mediterranean, was believed the most likely choice for the overall air command. He has worked in close association with Gen. Eisenhower since the early days of the U.S. invasion of North Africa.
Adm. Sir Bertram Home Ramsay, long known as an expert in amphibious landings, may be given the job of directing the landing of the huge “second front” army.
The only other top post on Gen. Eisenhower’s staff not yet filled, that of commander of U.S. invasion forces, may go to Lt. Gen. Jacob L. Devers, present commander of U.S. forces in the European Theater.
The appointment of Gen. Eisenhower to the supreme invasion command was welcomed in London, as were the appointments of Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery to head British invasion forces in Western Europe; Lt. Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, to command U.S. strategic bombing forces operating against Germany from both Britain and the Mediterranean, and Gen. Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, to take over the supreme command of the Mediterranean Theater.
Some regret was expressed that Gen. Sir Harold R. L. G. Alexander, who was appointed commander of Allied armies in Italy, was not to be brought to London with Gen. Eisenhower. However, it was realized that he might be given a more important post in the event of an invasion of the Balkans.
There appeared to be no resentment among Britons over the appointment of an American, to the supreme invasion command, as it was realized the second front armies will probably be predominantly American in view of the heavy drain on British manpower, particularly in the years when she stood almost alone against Germany.
Spaatz to head bombers
Gen. Spaatz, in his new post, will have overall strategic bombers in command of the U.S. 8th Air Force in Britain in addition to the 12th and 15th Air Forces in the Mediterranean, by far the greatest concentration of Flying Fortresses, Liberators, Marauders and Mitchells in any war theater.
His deputies presumably will be Maj. Gen. Ira C. Eaker, present commander of the 8th Air Force, and Maj. Gen. James H. Doolittle, commander of strategic bombing in the 12th and 15th Air Forces.
Eisenhower spends Christmas in Italy
Allied HQ, Algiers, Algeria (UP) – (Dec. 25)
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who will leave soon for Britain to take over the supreme command of “second front” armies, spent Christmas today with his troops in Italy.
Though his appointment to the invasion command was announced only yesterday, he was presumably informed formally of his next task by President Roosevelt during their two-day conference in Carthage nearly three weeks ago.
Gen. Eisenhower left Allied headquarters several days ago with his aides, Cdr. Harry Butcher and Lt. Col. Forrest “Texas” Lee, to be with his “protégé,” Gen. Mark W. Clark, on the holiday.
The “protégé” appellation was applied to Gen. Clark by Gen. Eisenhower himself, who explained that he was a third-year man at West Point when Gen. Clark was a plebe and became the young officer’s tutor.
In a Christmas message, probably one of the last he will direct to his Mediterranean forces, Gen. Eisenhower expressed confidence they would “meet every test in the coming year.”
Emphasis is urged on air offensive
Washington (UP) – (Dec. 25)
Senator Sheridan Downey (D-CA), one of the leading Congressional exponents of unrelenting air attack on Germany, said tonight that Allied bombing strength should be given a chance to reach its maximum before a cross-Channel invasion is ordered.
Mr. Downey said:
I am more than ever firmly convinced that Germany cannot endure our bombings past March or April. Bombing is a cheap and certain way to win.
During the debate last fall on father-draft legislation, Mr. Downey laid before the Senate an array of arguments in favor of full-scale air war to defeat the Nazis. He said Germany could be laid to waste, and it would take only a “token” land force to occupy the country and mop up scattered resistance.
He said:
An invasion involving heavy casualties would be a tragic thing and most unhappy in view of our ever-increasing raids on Germany, and the apparent weakening of the German defenses. Every day we are cutting down her morale, and her ability and capacity to fight and produce.
The number of Allied bombers going into action is growing every day, he said, the planes are carrying bigger bombloads, and more and more long-range fighters are escorting the bombers greater distances into enemy territory.
Information he has received indicates that Germany’s ability to defend herself in the air is diminishing. Mr. Downey said, adding that Hitler may run out of experienced and capable pilots even before he runs short of planes. Already there are indications that some German pilots are either “very young or over the age of peak efficiency.”
Making of invaders ‘shocks’ Senators
Washington (UP) – (Dec. 25)
Senator Edwin C. Johnson (D-CO) said today that he had heard the United States would furnish 73% of the troops to be used in the invasion of Europe.
He said a decision was reached at the Québec Conference to have England supply 23% of the men required for the invasion forces and Canada 5%.
Mr. Johnson added that he was “shocked” by the decision.
Calm descends over continent
Unofficial ‘truce’ follows record air attacks
London, England (UP) – (Dec. 25)
An unofficial Christmas “truce” in the air war over Europe, perhaps enforced by unfavorable weather, interrupted a record bombardment of the French coast today.
An announcement of the Air Ministry revealed that the Thursday night raid on Berlin boosted the bomb tonnage dropped on Germany since May 23 to the 100,000 mark. The first 100,000 tons were dropped between 1940 and the May date.
Officials shunned comment on any “truce” for Christmas, but Air Ministry records showed there were no operations on the holiday for the last three years.
Both night and day bombers remained on the ground as fog shrouded Dover Straits and the English Channel.
More than 1,300 U.S. planes, including the largest number of Flying Fortresses and Liberators ever sent out on a single raid, paced yesterday’s 3,000-plane attack on the Pas-de-Calais area of the French coast, where neutral sources have reported the Germans were building rocket guns for a barrage against London.
Official sources identified the targets only as “military objectives” except in the case of two airdromes, at Morlaix and Brest Guipavas, where RAF bombers hit hangars, dispersal huts and runways.
Fighter opposition was negligible and all 3,000 planes returned safely to their bases.
The Air Ministry announced that RAF Typhoon fighters patrolling Brittany by daylight today destroyed a German long-range bomber of the type used to assist U-boats in attacking North Atlantic shipping.
Fliers batter Japanese base
360 more tons dropped on Cape Gloucester
By Don Caswell, United Press staff writer
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Planes blast Nauru Island
Fires set in attack west of Gilberts
By William F. Tyree, United Press staff writer
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Armed Forces’ deeds praised by Roosevelt
President and aides send greetings to women, men in uniform
Washington (UP) – (Dec. 25)
Today brought Christmas greetings to the Armed forces by President Roosevelt and to the Army by high-ranking Army officials.
President Roosevelt to the men and women of the Armed Forces:
This Christmas I feel a sense of deep humility before the great courage of the men and women of our Armed Forces. As your Commander-in-Chief, I send my greetings with pride in your heroic accomplishments.
President Roosevelt to the ill and wounded of the Armed Forces:
The uncomplaining gallantry of our American soldier and sailor in his quiet, patient battle against illness and aching wound is no less epic than his uncompromising gallantry in his more widely heralded fight against the Axis… May God speed your recovery.
Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson:
Your deeds on the battlefield have been an inspiration to millions of your countrymen… Throughout America the light of Christmas burns brightly in remembrance of you and in prayers for your return. God grant that your hands may be strengthened to hasten the day of final victory.
Gen. George C. Marshall, Army Chief of Staff:
Christmas this year finds our Army deployed in greatly increased strength throughout the world, an army of battle-tested veterans. Victories, some of them great victories, are constantly being won in the air, on the ground, and over the beaches of the Aleutians, the Far Pacific and the Mediterranean… All America is filled with pride in the feats of the Army with pride in the feats of the Army… God bless you all.
Gen. Henry H. Harold, Army Air Forces commander:
The coming year will bring the most decisive days of our time, the most decisive of centuries to come, perhaps. I am fully confident that you are equal to the challenge.
King George speaks
London, England (UP) – (Dec. 25)
King George VI, in his annual Christmas Day broadcast to the British Empire, warned today that harder fighting than ever before lies ahead before final victory and “the bright visions of the future” can be achieved.
He said:
As we were not downcast by defeat, we are not unduly exalted by victory. While we have bright visions of the future, we have no easy dreams of the days that lie close at hand.
We know there is much hard work and hard fighting, perhaps harder work and harder fighting than ever before, necessary for victory. We shall not rest from our task until it is nobly ended.
Chungking, China (UP) – (Dec. 25)
Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell, U.S. commander in this theater, called on his men in a Christmas message today to make the forthcoming blow against the enemy “crippling and decisive.”
Chiang broadcasts
Chungking, China (UP) – (Dec. 25)
Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, in a Christmas broadcast to China’s war wounded, expressed confidence today that military successes already achieved have brought the Allies nearer their goal – the existence of all nations on an equal footing.
He said:
As officers and men imbued with the revolutionary spirit, we should be prepared to shed our last drop of blood on the cross as did Jesus Christ, thereby cleansing the world of all evils and building up a new world of equality and freedom.
Goebbels rants
By the United Press
Propaganda Minister Paul Joseph Goebbels, in a Christmas message to the German people, declared that the Allied would become aware of the strength and determination of the German people to win the war “perhaps even before spring, on the field of battle.”
Goebbels, who did not indicate whether he was thinking of the possibility of an Allied invasion or new German offensives, asserted that “the whole German ration is thinking only of victory.”
Roosevelt wields knife on big Christmas turkey
War problems shut out as large family gathering at Hyde Park enjoys noisy holiday
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At Christmas –
A Mother’s Prayer
By George Matthew Adams
God, Father of Freedom, look after that boy of mine, wherever he may be. Walk in upon him. Keep his mind stayed on Thee. Talk with him during the silent watches of the night, and spur him to bravery whenever called upon to face the cruel foe. Transfer my prayer to his heart, that he may know the lingering love I have bequeathed to him as an everlasting gift.
Keep my boy contented and inspired by the never-dying faith in his Mother’s God. He is my gift to Freedom. May that Freedom forever remain untarnished, God.
Through the lonely and confusing hours of training and combat, and throughout all the long days of a hopeful Victory, keep his spirit high and his purpose unwavering. Make him a proud pal to all with whom he comes in contact, and make his influence a noonday light wherever his duty takes him. Nourish that boy of mine with the love that I gave to him at birth. Satisfy the hunger of his soul with the knowledge of this daily prayer of mine.
To my country, and to world Freedom, O Heavenly Father, have I bequeathed this boy of mine. He is my choicest treasure. Take care of him. Keep him in health and sustain him under every possible circumstance of events. I once warmed him, under my heart. You warm him anew under his shelter and under the stars. Touch him with my smile of cheer and comfort, and my full confidence in his every brave pursuit.
Silent and alone, I pray, God, but I am only one of millions of Mothers whose prayers stream day and night to you. This is our Gethsemane. Lead us victoriously through it. And lead that boy of mine through his. Fail him not – and may he not fail You, his Country, nor the Mother who bore him.
500-acre war plant ready to build bomber engines
Dodge’s main Chicago structure big enough to house Willow Run and then some
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Fire sweeps New Jersey resort
$1-million damage seen at Wildwood
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Presses of Army rolling out tons of publications
Total volume almost equals government printing office – distribution problems unparalleled in civilian life
By Robert Taylor, Press Washington correspondent
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Treanor: Artillery champ tells about his very best effort
It wasn’t the time Lt. Kilcollins got 17 Germans with a single shell, but even that was nice shooting
By Tom Treanor, United Press staff writer
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Henry: Italian Prince rides in jeep, assists driver
By Thomas R. Henry, North American Newspaper Alliance
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