The New York Times (March 24, 1944)
Eruption of Vesuvius appears to be ending
But Naples plans prayers as ash falls far from volcano
Torre del Greco, Italy – (March 23)
The worst of the most awesome show provided by Mount Vesuvius in 72 years seemed over tonight. This coastal town between Naples and Torre Annunziata bore the brunt of the last day of the eruption, which began Sunday.
Great clouds of lava dust rolled down the southern slopes of the volcano and virtually blotted out the community. Lights were required on automobiles traveling to Naples in the daylight hours and the faces of military policemen on traffic duty were lined with grime.
At the Allied Military Government office here, Maj. Jesse Cantor of Syracuse, New York, regional executive, said that today’s display probably was the volcano’s “last gasp” for the present, though he hastened to add that it would be foolish to make a flat prediction.
The possibility remained that huge chunks of the periphery of the crater might fall in the caldron, with disastrous results, but this was believed to be unlikely.
While ash and red mud were reported to have fallen as far away as Bari, Cardinal Alessio Ascalesi of Naples ordered three days of special prayers in the Naples Cathedral to invoke protection of the city’s patron saint against further eruption.