America at war! (1941–) – Part 3

Zurückgewiesene US-Erklärung –
Albanien läßt sich nicht locken

U.S. Navy Department (April 9, 1944)

Joint Statement

For Immediate Release
April 9, 1944

The following joint Anglo‑American statement on submarine and anti-submarine operations is issued under the authority of the President and the Prime Minister:

March was an active month in the war against the U‑boats which operated in widely dispersed areas from the Barents Sea to the Indian Ocean.

The enemy has persevered vainly in strenuous endeavors to disrupt our flow of supplies to Russia by the northern route.

Our merchant shipping losses were mainly incurred in far distant seas. Though a little higher than in February, they were still low and the rate of sinking U‑boats was fully maintained.

The Allied merchant fleet continues to improve both in quantity and quality, but the strength of the U‑boat force remains considerable and calls for powerful efforts by surface and air forces.


CINCPAC Press Release No. 344

For Immediate Release
April 9, 1944 

Operations to soften up Truk continued. Moen and Dublon Islands in the Truk Atoll were bombed by Liberators of the 7th Army Air Force at night on April 7 (West Longitude Date). At Moen, the airstrip was bombed and at Dublon, wharfs and fuel reservoirs were hit.

Single Liberators from the same force bombed alternate targets at Oroluk, Ponape and Ujelang.

Mitchell bombers of the 7th Army Air Force escorted by Corsair fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing also bombed and strafed Ponape on April 7 (West Longitude Date). Antiaircraft fire was moderate.

Four enemy‑held atolls in the Marshalls were bombed and strafed by Mitchells of the 7th Army Air Force, Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, and Navy Hellcat fighters. At one objective, a large explosion was observed near hangars, and at another, explosions and fires were caused among barracks, warehouses, and gun emplacements. Anti-aircraft fire ranged from moderate to meager.

The Pittsburgh Press (April 9, 1944)

YANKS DOWNS 92 NAZI PLANES
Raiders lose 34 bombers; Brunswick hit

25 Allied fighters also missing
By Walter Cronkite, United Press staff writer

Battle with grenades –
Allies gain mile on beachhead

Artillery bombards Nazi left flank
By Reynolds Packard, United Press staff writer

Record air blow loosed on Truk

Liberators attack from Solomons base

British smash attacks in India

Large-scale battle near in Imphal area
By Darrell Berrigan, United Press staff writer

Sgt. Kelly to come home; seeks service in Pacific

Rotation policy gives reply to mother’s plea


Ohio pilot bags 27 Nazis, all-time American record

Those foreign place names won’t be so confusing now

Essential men over 25 given draft reprieve

Younger men needed now, Army decides

U.S. revises deferment regulations

Leniency is ordered for older men

Surgeon who ‘lifts faces’ of famous people demonstrates technique of operation

Maybe Wally, Magda were his patients
By Paz Van Matre, North American Newspaper Alliance

10-hour workday urged by Senator

Reed charges stalling, politics


Censorship rule held broken

Inquiry being pushed in Kellems case

Hull scheduled to tell policy on satellites

Secretary will take radio talk tonight

WLB sets guide for transit pay

Regional average used in two cases

Lana Turner files suit for divorce

Living costs may be stable, but fight due

Report is spurned by labor, Congress

americavotes1944

Both parties plan drives to get out vote

Migratory workers and women wooed

Washington (UP) – (April 8)
Republican and Democratic leaders, confronted by reports of possibly light balloting in the November elections, tonight directed “get-out-the-vote” campaigns at two groups capable of influencing the outcome of the White House race – women and migratory war workers.

The importance of these groups is heightened by uncertainty among party chieftains over the soldier vote.

A GOP spokesman estimated that 85 million civilians would be eligible – but not necessarily qualified – to vote in the coming elections.

GOP woos women

In an obvious nod to the new regard with which women are regarded by the Republican Party, a special committee appointed by National Chairman Harrison E. Spangler has agreed to recommend to the party’s nominating convention – which opens in Chicago June 26 – that there be equal representation of men and women on the Resolutions Committee. The plan would place women in a position of influencing the party platform generally.

The number of migratory war workers who will cast votes is problematical and of concern to leaders of both parties. Thousands, for example, have moved from the Democratic Solid South to borderline states in the Midwest. In a close vote, their ballots would be decisive.

Difficulties faced

However, it was conceded that state laws would render some ineligible and general apathy toward registration would cut deeper into this potential vote which Democratic spokesmen say will go for President Roosevelt if he seeks a fourth term.

Republicans do not concede the possible loss of these potential voters, however, and workers in the field are actively at work in registration efforts.

It is no secret that Democratic bigwigs want as heavy a vote as possible in the presidential contest. Generally light votes are cited by the Democratic National Committee as an important reason for repeated reversals which the party has suffered at byelections since 1940.

americavotes1944

Primary election interest lagging

Most candidates are lying low
By Kermit McFarland

Although the primary election is only a little more than two weeks away, there is little evidence to show that more than a handful are aware of it.

Even the professional politicians are looking beyond the April 25 date and, with a scant few exceptions, the candidates are lying low.

There are no “contests” in Allegheny County, in the sense that they have developed into active fights.

Republicans in dispute

In three of the five Congressional districts, the Republican Congressional nominations are in dispute, with five candidates in each of the three districts. But even in these “races,” activity is at a minimum.

The Republicans also present one contest for a State Senate seat and contests for legislative nominations in eight of the 13 districts.

Political attention mostly looks beyond the primary to the special session of the Legislature which will convene in Harrisburg May 1 and to the Republican National Convention which starts in Chicago June 26.

Short special session

Governor Edward Martin and legislative and political leaders in both parties are apparently in accord on a soldier vote law and both sides expect the sessions to be dispatched in a minimum of time.

Unless a snag develops, the session can be completed in less than five days. By starting the soldier vote bill through one branch of the Legislature Monday, May 1, it can be sent to the Governor’s desk shortly after midnight Friday morning.

Some effort is being made to induce Mr. Martin to include other subjects in the call for the special session, but he has insisted on limiting the call to the one issue.

Two other items asked

Rep. Thomas J. Heatherington (D-Versailles Township) yesterday urged the Governor to add two items to his call, providing for action on legislation to permit municipalities to spend “post-war surplus accumulations” wherever “local emergencies arise,” and to permit local governments to buy federal war surplus property without advertising for bids.

The main topic of debate in local political circles in the presidential nomination.

While most political leaders are confident Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York will be nominated on an early ballot, there is still some fear that Mr. Dewey may decide not to be a candidate.

Little interest in Vice President

There is little interest, at the moment, in possible candidates for the nomination of Vice President, although Chief Justice George W. Maxey of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is reportedly active as a candidate for this nomination.

On the Democratic side, there is some evidence of support for Senator Harry S. Truman (D-MO), chairman of the committee investigating the war effort, as a running mate for President Roosevelt. Senator Truman will speak to a meeting of the Allegheny County Motor Truck Association here Friday and will return in May to address the Democratic Jackson Day dinner.

americavotes1944

Stokes: Poker is made political issue in Indianapolis

GOP blamed for raid on New Dealer’s game
By Thomas L. Stokes, Scripps-Howard staff writer

Indianapolis, Indiana – (April 8)
If you are politically minded, it’s always a delight to come into these precincts, for they take their politics between meals here as well.

They like their poker, too. And when you can mix poker and politics, that’s superfine.

That’s a concoction being served up in the gossip in the lobby of the Claypool Hotel, the political hangout.

It all has to do with a police raid here a few days ago on the Claypool apartment of John K. Jennings, a Democrat, state War Manpower Commission director, who was entertaining five friends, also local bigshots, at their weekly poker party. They were all taken to police headquarters.

Poker’s ‘patron saint’

Mr. Jennings, formerly state WPA director, was pretty indignant, particularly at the rough tactics – they bashed in the door – and at the invasion of his home. He refused bond, saying he was willing to become “the patron saint of poker.”

The police captain sent them home, and the next day the judge dismissed the case. It was all a mistake – or so it was said they were looking for a well-known confidence man who was supposed to be running a game, it was explained.

But the poker fans are making this a cause celebre, and are blaming the city Republican administrations and Mayor Robert Tyndall, a former Army officer. Some say it may react badly against Republicans.

Won’t swing election

But it’s very doubtful that even a poker revolution would be enough to swing this state Democratic this fall – at least that’s what the politically wise say.

There’s one place you can get a different opinion – and quite naturally. That’s over in the Capitol in the office of Governor Henry Schricker – “Hank” they call him. The Governor, a folksy fellow and the greatest vote-getter of modern times in this state, has a right to the extreme view.

He was the only Democrat who survived the Republican avalanche four years ago.

He is being pressed to run for Senator, with the idea that maybe his name on the ballot might help the President, and maybe some way or other add up to a Democratic victory. It’s just a chance. He hasn’t announced formally yet, but it’s pretty certain he’ll run.

President stands good chance

He spun his theory of why he thinks President Roosevelt can carry the state. Wendell Willkie, he says, would run the best race in Indiana among Republicans. Mr. Willkie now is out. He says there is no real enthusiasm for either Governor Thomas E. Dewey or Governor John Bricker among the people. In the end, he thinks the people of Indiana – or enough of them – are going to decide that President Roosevelt had better be left there to finish the war and manage the peace.

A hot contest is on for the Republican senatorial nomination, to be decided at the convention in early May, between Homer Capehart, who rolled into rich on the jukebox, and 26-year-old James M. Tucker, former Indiana Secretary of State, who was recently discharged from active service as a naval lieutenant because of a wound incurred at Salerno.

Army and CAA clash over airport here

Buildings proposed on site of runways
By Robert Taylor, Press Washington writer