America at war! (1941–) – Part 3

4933

U.S. Navy Department (March 30, 1944)

CINCPAC Press Release No. 330

For Immediate Release
March 30, 1944

Liberator bombers of the 7th Army Air Force bombed Eten and Moen Islands in the Truk Atoll on the night of March 29 (West Longitude Date). Fires were started. Intense anti-aircraft fire was encountered.

Ponape Island was bombed by a search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two, starting fires in a hangar area, and gun positions and buildings on Ujelang Island were strafed by Dauntless dive bombers of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.

Forty‑five tons of bombs were dropped on four enemy positions in the Marshalls by 7th Army Air Force Mitchell bombers, and Marine Dauntless bombers and Corsair fighters. Oil storage tanks were set afire on one objective, and runways damaged on another.

CINCPAC Communiqué No. 41

Strong fleet forces at dawn Wednesday, March 29 (West Longitude Date) initiated heavy attacks on the Japanese‑held Palau Islands. After discovery of approach of our forces by enemy planes searching from their bases in the Carolines and New Guinea their ships were observed fleeing the area before our units could reach attack positions. Our attacks continue. No further details are as yet available.

4934

The Pittsburgh Press (March 30, 1944)

Germans bomb Anzio hospital; eight killed

American wounded, prisoners are victims
By Reynolds Packard, United Press staff writer

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4935

Pincers air blow batters Europe

British blast France, hit Kiel naval base
By Phil Ault, United Press staff writer

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4936

She would have blushed –
The Yankees from Ward 4 says goodbye to Miss Mac

Bombs end story of a trim British nurse and her unruly American patients

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4937

With worst yet to come –
11,042 Axis planes smashed by Yank pilots in 1943

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4938

U.S. casualties total 173,239

Washington (UP) –
Announced casualties of the U.S. Armed Forces now total 173,239, an increase of 4,947 over a week ago, it was revealed today. The total included 40,657 killed, 64,098 wounded, 36,321 missing ands 32,163 prisoners of war.

Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson said Army casualties through March 15 totaled 130,619, including 22,570 killed, 53,124 wounded, 27,183 missing and 27,742 prisoners of war.

A Navy casualty list today summarized its announced casualties as 42,620, of whom 18,087 were killed, 10,974 wounded, 9,138 missing and 4,421 prisoners of war.

Mr. Stimson said that of the Army wounded, 27,296 have been returned to duty. Of the prisoners of war, he said 1,675 have been reported by the enemy to have died of disease in prisoner camps, mostly in Japanese territory.

4939

Truk bombarded by Army planes

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4940

Stimson urges bill for 4-F labor draft

But doesn’t want men taken into Army

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4941

Four ‘enough’ for mother of New York quadruplets

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4942

I DARE SAY —
Come now, you bookworms!

By Florence Fisher Parry

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4943

Electric chair demanded for RCAF cadet

State says wife was slain in cold blood

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4944

Greatest role of his life faces Chaplin

Comedian scheduled to take stand today
By Frederick C. Othman, United Press staff writer

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4945

News veterans put Roosevelt in first place

Washington corps lists Dewey second

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4946

CIO leaders remain silent on Dies Committee charges

Sidney Hillman, head of political action group, calls Congressman liar

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4947

President is recovering from his bronchitis

Washington (UP) –
The White House reported today that President Roosevelt’s bronchial irritation is “clearing up nicely.”

Secretary Stephen T. Early added, however, that the President’s physician, VAdm. Ross McIntire, insisted that the Chief Executive continue to follow a restricted schedule.

4948

GOP protests press subsidy as dangerous

Calls it federal move to concentrate power
By Robert Taylor, Press Washington correspondent

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4949

U.S. bombers rain death on Rabaul

Non-stop air drive is continued

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Yangtze River area blasted by Yanks

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4950

British slow Jap advance into India

Chinese trap 2,000 in North Burma

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4951

americavotes1944

In Washington –
Soldier vote may go into law unsigned

Bill may not get President’s signature

Washington (UP) –
Indications mounted today that President Roosevelt will let the soldier vote bill become a law without his signature.

The President has until midnight tomorrow to act. He has three choices – he may sign it, veto it, or let it become a law without his signature.

Expectations that he will take the last course were strengthened by the fact that Congress intends to hold an unusual Saturday session this week.

The decision to meet Saturday, instead of starting the Easter recess this afternoon as planned, was made by Senate Democratic Leader Alben W. Barkley of Kentucky. He told reporters he did not know which course the President would take.

Senator Barkley declared:

I have not discussed his action with him at all. We will stay in session only to keep open all three courses of possible action.

Political observers believed that if the President decides to let the bill become law without his signature, the decision would be based on his desire to do everything possible to facilitate soldier voting despite his dissatisfaction with the bill’s limitations on use of a simplified federal ballot.

4952

Legion, VFW defend ‘G.I. Bill’

Washington (UP) –
Representatives of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars today defended item by item the Senate-approved “G.I. Bill of Rights” now before the House World War Veterans Committee.

The bill, backed by both groups, provides some $4 billion for discharged servicemen, including hospitalization, education and free home and business loans.

Discussion of the educated provision yesterday brought from Chairman John E. Rankin (D-MS) the warning that he intended to “go over this bill line by line, page by page to eliminate anything which might create any discord in the South or North.”

He expressed fears that “the Fair Employment Practices Committee” – designed to fight employment bars based on color, creed or religion – or some other agency under the bill’s present wording might foment discord by intrusion into the veterans’ educational program.