America at war! (1941–) – Part 3

Hanley takes oath of office as 57th Lieutenant Governor

Governor Dewey, Senators, members of family and Spanish War veterans attend – Senate Majority post to be filled Tuesday
By Warren Moscow

1943 stock trading biggest in 5 years

278,741,765 shares traded on exchange here – bond volume a record since 1936


OWI HEAD ASSAILS PRESSURE GROUPS
He voices doubt that ‘home front’s is keeping pace with its fighting forces

War crisis called near; he warns against optimism on rise in civilian supplies – hits three newspapers

Early revelry on New Year’s Eve proves drain on liquor stocks

Festivities in neighborhood bars begin at 8:00 a.m. – war workers rush to celebrate – taverns ‘run dry’

Soldiers flee camp to join revels here

Military police comb roads to city in search


Mayor La Guardia will greet Italy

‘Victory message’ today to be broadcast also from London

U.S. Navy Department (January 1, 1944)

Communiqué No. 493

In the early morning of November 29, 1943, the U.S. destroyer PERKINS (DD-377) was sunk as the result of a collision, off the southeast coast of New Guinea.

During the morning of December 17, 1943, the coastal transport APc­-21 was sunk by enemy aircraft, oft the southern coast of New Britain Island.

The next of kin of the casualties in the PERKINS have been notified. The next of kin of the casualties in the APc‑21 will be notified as soon as possible.


CINCPAC Press Release No. 216

For Immediate Release
January 1, 1944

Army heavy bombers of the 7th Army Air Force raided Kwajalein on December 30 (West Longitude Date). No enemy interception was en­countered.

Army light bombers, escorted by Airacobra fighters, made an attack on Mille on the afternoon of December 30. There was no fighter interception. All our planes returned.

Army medium bombers raided Jabor, in the Jaluit Atoll, on December 30, bombing and strafing ground installations. None of our planes was damaged.

U.S. State Department (January 2, 1944)

Prime Minister Churchill to President Roosevelt

London, 2 January 1944
Secret
530

Prime Minister to President Roosevelt. Personal.

Hull tells Eden that you have no recollection of any remarks by UJ about unconditional surrender. I certainly heard, with great interest, him saying something to the effect that he thought it might be well to consider telling the Germans at some stage what unconditional surrender would involve, or perhaps what it would not involve. After that we began talking about the 50,000 and your compromise and my high falutin, and I finished up by no means certain that the Germans would be reassured if they were told what he had in mind.

Find also Anthony telegraphed to the Foreign Office on November 30 as follows:

Last night (November 29) Marshal Stalin spoke to the President about unconditional surrender. Marshal Stalin said he considered this bad tactics vis-à-vis Germany and his suggestion was that we should together work out terms and let them be made known generally to the people of Germany.

Perhaps this may give you a cue to what Anthony and I had in our memories and you may feel inclined to join with us in asking UJ whether he would care to develop his theme to us. If however, you prefer we can of course leave things where they are for the time being.

The Pittsburgh Press (January 2, 1944)

64,000 sorties flown by Yanks

55,000 tons of bombs dropped on Nazis
By Walter Cronkite, United Press staff writer

U.S. artillery shells Cassino

3 more hills over valley route to Rome taken
By C. R. Cunningham, United Press staff writer

Germans say –
U.S. massing to attack Japs

Air-sea force reported ready in Aleutians
By the United Press

Roosevelt urges pledge to establish lasting peace

President favors international organization to maintain security in generations to come

Washington (UP) – (Jan. 1)
President Roosevelt, in a New Year’s Day statement issued from his bed where he is confined with a mild case of grippe, today called upon Americans to pledge themselves to final victory on the battlefield and to establishment of an international organization “to maintain peace and security in generations to come.”

The President’s temperature was normal today but he remained in bed on the advice of Adm. Ross T. McIntire, his personal physician.

The President’s New Year’s statement:

Many of us in the United States are observing this first day of the New Year as a day of prayer and reflection and are considering the deeper issues which affect us as part of the family of nations at a crucial moment in history. It is fitting on this day that we direct our thoughts to the concept of the United Nations which came into being on another and infinitely bleaker New Year’s Day two years ago.

It was but three weeks after Pearl Harbor that the Declaration by United Nations was promulgated at Washington. Twenty-six nations subscribed immediately, eight more have adhered subsequently, all pledging themselves to stand together in the struggle against common enemies.

Two years ago, the United Nations were on the defensive in every part of the world. Today we are on the offensive. The walls are closing in remorselessly on our enemies. Our armed forces are gathering for new and greater assaults which will bring about the downfall of the Axis aggressors.

The United Nations are giving attention also to the different kind of struggle which must follow the military phase, the struggle against disease, malnutrition, unemployment, and many other forms of economic and social distress.

To make all of us secure against future aggression and to open the way for enhanced wellbeing of nations and individuals everywhere, we must maintain in the peace to come the mutually beneficial cooperation we have achieved in war. On the threshold of the New Year, as we look toward the tremendous tasks ahead, let us pledge ourselves that this cooperation shall continue both for winning the final victory on the battlefield and for establishing an international organization of all peace-loving nations to maintain peace and security in generations to come.

High sources say –
Threat of strike gives Hitler lift to prolong war

Result will be ultimate casualties totaling hundreds of thousands; railroad situation cited

Spare stamp No. 2 –
Second bonus in pork given

‘Gift’ period will last until Jan. 15

Marine Corps command taken by Vandegrift

Retiring leader Holcomb promoted to rank of full general


On New Britain –
Marines count 1,000 dead Japs

Record raid rips Madang; Rabaul also hit
By Don Caswell, United Press staff writer

New tax form to give victims heebie-jeebies

‘Incomprehensible return’ must be battled by 50 million
By Phelps Adams, North American Newspaper Alliance

War economies of Nazis, Japs face big tests

Both countries, however, may be able to boost production


U.S. to acquire Pacific Islands now Japanese

That was decision at Cairo and Tehran, service journal says

americavotes1944

Germans hope U.S. election will aid them

Want to hold until after voting, then obtain compromise peace
By Richard Mowrer

Cairo, Egypt – (Jan. 1)
Germany’s political and military leaders, with few exceptions, are convinced that Germany must hold at any price until after the American presidential elections in November 1944, according to neutral sources recently in contact with Germany.

The Germans’ reasoning is said to be as follows:

The reelection of President Roosevelt depends on the successful opening of a second front and victory for the Allies before the November elections. If victory is not achieved by autumn, Mr. Roosevelt will not be reelected.

Nazi hopes

American opinion, disgusted by Allied failure to beat Germany, by then will compel the withdrawal of the American war effort from Europe to concentrate it on the war in the Pacific and will elect to the presidency somebody who will concentrate entirely on winning the war against Japan.

Germany thereupon will approach the new American government and make a deal which Britain, no longer supported by Americans arms in Europe, will have to accept.

Want compromise

If the German Army puts up stiff resistance on the second front and inflicts severe casualties on the Americans, the public outcry in the United States will be such that the presidential elections will be strongly influenced.

Such at least, appears to be the line of thought of German higher-ups who, although knowing they cannot win, hope to avoid total defeat by making German resistance drag on.

americavotes1944

‘Let’s win the war in ’44,’ new slogan for AFL

Washington (UP) – (Jan. 1)
The American Federation of Labor said tonight it has chosen “Let’s win the war in ‘44” as labor’s slogan, its objective and its highest resolve for the coming year.

In a New Year’s Day message, the AFL said U.S. workers are ready to work and sacrifice as never before to help the fighting forces in the great tasks that lie ahead.

The message warned, however, that victory will not end labor’s responsibilities to the cause of freedom.

It said:

We will not consider this war win until we have capped our military victories with equal triumphs for our chief post-war objectives.

These are:

  • The establishment of lasting peace under world democracy.
  • The provision of jobs for all in peacetime America.

No-strike order brings truce in steel pay fight

Murray’s warning to men to stay on job will mean temporary peace, but there’s long road ahead to adjustment
By William Forrester

Hero of Guadalcanal adds to laurels in New Britain

District Marine plays major role in Cape Gloucester fight

1944 allotment of meat to be same as last year’s

Civilian supplies will consist of more pork, same quantity of veal and lamb but less beef


$10 million spent hourly by U.S. in 1943

Expenses exceed those of first 150 years of government