America at war! (1941–) – Part 4

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americavotes1944

No deadline on names for soldier ballot

Earliest notice asked by elections office

There is no deadline on submitting the names of voters in the Armed Forces for military ballots.

But County Elections Director David Olbum yesterday urged the families of servicemen and women to turn in the names promptly to assure ballots being mailed in time to reach voters overseas.

The Elections Department already has a list of almost 90,000 names. Ballots to these voters will be mailed within the next 10 days, although the new State Military Ballot Law fixes Sept. 2 as the deadline.

Earlier the better

However, the Elections Department will mail ballots to all voters in the Armed Forces whose names are received after that date.

Mr. Olbum said the volume of military ballots to be sent overseas might preclude the arrival of ballots before Election Day unless the names of military voters are submitted to the Elections Department now.

Inquiries at the Elections Department in the last week, he said, indicated that many relatives of service voters had the erroneous idea that it was too late to submit names.

Extra staff on job

The only deadline fixed by the law is the one requiring the Elections Department to mail the ballots to all addresses on file no later than Sept. 2 and to mail ballots to additional addresses, received after that date, within 24 hours.

The Elections Department has been working an extra staff addressing envelopes for military ballots. The list of names, which will be posted to the Department when it is completed, is being arranged alphabetically.

Relatives or friends in doubt as to whether the name of any voter in the Armed Forces is listed will be permitted to check this list.

All Pennsylvania voters, regardless of whether they are registered, are eligible for military ballots if they are, or will be, 21 on or before Nov. 8 and are members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or other armed service, the Merchant Marine, Red Cross Society of Friends, WASPs or the USO in service either overseas or within the United States.

140

Poll: Four border states favor Roosevelt; Missouri for Dewey

45 commonwealths polled show President leading in 26 having 248 electoral votes
By George Gallup, Director, American Institute of Public Opinion

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141

americavotes1944

Nation warned of forged soldier votes

Faked ballots turn up in Tennessee

Jackson, Mississippi – (Aug. 19)
Stuffing of a ballot box in a Madison County country store with fraudulent absentee soldiers’ ballots Aug. 3 may serve as a warning to the nation of what might happen on a larger scale during the November election.

Farmers of Madison County, aroused over what they describe as “political crooks taking advantage of our boys while they are fighting for our country,” have demanded investigations by the FBI and the Madison County Grand Jury.

Twenty-seven soldier ballots were cast at the Jones store; six have been revealed as forgeries.

Election judge surprised

Two members of the county Democratic Primary Board, Eugene Bond and Robert Davis, brought the ballots to the Jones store. Bond tore open the envelopes and called out the names, it was related by S. T. Patterson, a judge in the Republican primary, which was being held simultaneously.

Mr. Patterson was startled to hear the name of his son, Pharmacist’s Mate Paul Patterson, called out. The young man had been home on leave a week earlier and had said he did not intend to vote, but Mr. Patterson made no protest at the time.

Not in Army

Then Bond called out the name of Gid Patterson. “Gid is my boy and he’s not in the Army,” Mr. Patterson said, “He’s been working in Jackson for three years.”

“Well, we won’t count that one then,” Bond said.

Interviewed later, Gid Patterson said he didn’t even know an election was being held.

When the name of R. T. Collier was called, a bystander spoke up: “He’s a Negro farmhand who’s never been in the Army. He might come here to vote his afternoon.”

‘Tell him he’s voted’

“If he does,” Bond was quoted as saying, “tell him he’s already voted.”

The next day when Collier was asked if he had voted, he replied: “They said I did.”

A ballot was cast for one soldier who had written his father that he had no intention of voting. “I don’t even know who is running for what. That is the least of my worries,” he wrote.

In same handwriting

The clerk of the board said all the ballots were written in pencil all were in the same handwriting and they were folded identically.

A. R. Darden, chairman of the election board, said he would “take full responsibility,” but he refused to permit reporters to see the applications for the absentee ballots.

At another precinct, Bond and Darden cast 125 absentee ballots. Only 32 other votes were cast there.

Candidate works to get blessing from farmer

Lewiston, Idaho (UP) – (Aug. 19)
Glen H. Taylor, Democratic senatorial nominee, told this one on himself today, and showed blistered hands to prove it.

Mr. Taylor stopped to talk with a farmer putting up hay. “You take this pitchfork and follow along and we will talk politics,” said the farmer.

Every time Mr. Taylor started to speak, the farmer said he’d have to wait until after the next load. Mr. Taylor pitched throughout the afternoon.

And not until supper time did the farmer shake the candidate’s hand and give him his blessing.

142

Japs win medals

San Francisco, California – (Aug. 19)
Japanese-Americans participated in the capture of Saipan, the War Relocation Authority disclosed today in an announcement that six American soldiers of Japanese ancestry had been cited for meritorious service in action there. All received Bronze Star Medals, the WRA said.

143

Labor attorney says CIO’s Philip Murray is captive of Communists and socialists

Immigrant author warns against infiltration into unions
By William Forrester

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144

americavotes1944

Gallup: Opinion polls are authentic

Founder tells how they work
By Roger H. Wood

In this 1944 election year, there could not have been a more timely book than George Gallup’s A Guide to Public Opinion Polls (Princeton).

Gallup, founder and director of the American Institute of Public Opinion, has given a comprehensive examination of the polls from many different points of view, drawing heavily upon his own personal experiences, but also explaining the work of other polling agencies.

He believes that the polls do show what the people are thinking on vital issues and that his object reporting and analysis of public opinion has helped to speed up the process of democracy. He says that by their very nature, modern sampling polls can and do separate the popularity of candidates from the issues. Polls can report which views of a candidate the public favors and which they reject.

Gallup gives the usual technical details of the polling program. He tells how interviewers are selected and how they are sent out into the field to talk to people, taking precautions to make certain that all classes are interviewed in proper proportion by occupation, by racial and religious groups, by politics and by sex.

For better or worse, public opinion polls are a fixture of American life. There have been 114 election surveys made by the American Institute of Public Opinion since its founding by Gallup in 1935 and since 1940, the average error in the results has been less than 2.5 percent. In the New York state election of 1940, just 200 people were interviewed in one of the polls. A Dewey victory was predicted and the results were within five percent of the actual vote on Election Day.

Gallup also explains the workings of other surveys. Especially interesting is his view on the Literary Digest forecast from the results of millions of mailed ballots of the election of Landon in 1936. The error was 19 percent. Gallup says that the sample was limited largely to the upper half of the voting population and did not catch any trend in sentiment taking place during the last two months of the campaign.

Some may say that the poll predictions influence voters to be on the winning bandwagon. But Gallup says:

There is no general tendency for winning candidates to increase their lead after poll results have been announced.

145

I DARE SAY —
What do boys in service want? Why, one of Sturges’ grand films

By Florence Fisher Parry

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146

The path to success… and tragedy –
Stars’ cement marks still No. 1 Hollywood attraction

Movieland history written in concrete of Chinese Theater
By Maxine Garrison

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147

Hollywood makes bum forecast

Wilson no flop but a smash hit

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Says no evil, does no evil, and everybody likes her!

Unaffected Ingrid Bergman wins studio folks by her charm

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148

Funny thing about Frank Morgan, his ‘fibs’ are all true

He tells them tall and checking proves he wasn’t kidding at all
By Si Steinhauser

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149

ODT: Only St. Louisans likely to see World Series games

By Carl Lundquist, United Press staff writer

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150

Exchange acts to block false market rumors

Heavy speculation in smaller auto companies is believed responsible for warning

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151

Legion wants U.S. to retain island outposts

Commission urges ‘world teamwork’

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152

Völkischer Beobachter (August 21, 1944)

‚Schwätzt ihren erst die Waffen ab…‘ –
Umweg auf Wilson Spuren?

Aber Roosevelt hat es mit hellhörigen Deutschen zu tun

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153

Die Treffkunst der Feindflieger –
Irrtümlich beschossen

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154

Starke Feindkräfte eingesetzt –
Die Landung in Südfrankreich

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155

Flak als Wellenbrecher im Invasionsraum

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156

Innsbrucker Nachrichten (August 21, 1944)

Feindlicher Sperrriegel nördlich Argentan durchbrochen

Ein Schlachtschiff und ein Kreuzer der Gegner vor Toulon in Brand geschossen – Ausdehnung der bolschewistischen Großangriffe auch auf den Südabschnitt – Verbindung mit den in Kurland kämpfenden Heeresverbänden wieder hergestellt

dnb. Aus dem Führerhauptquartier, 21. August –
Das Oberkommando der Wehrmacht gibt bekannt:

In der Normandie haben unsere Divisionen im Raum nördlich Argentan nach erbittertem Ringen den feindlichen Sperrriegel nach Nordosten durchbrochen und die Verbindung mit einer entgegenstoßenden Panzergruppe hergestellt. Starke feindliche Angriffe gegen unsere Abwehrfront am Dives- und Vireabschnitt wurden zerschlagen. In einigen Abschnitten sind eigene Gegenangriffe noch im Gange.

Zwischen der Eure und der Seine drückt der Feind nach Norden. Dort wurden bei Pacy–Vernon feindliche Angriffsspitzen zerschlagen.

Im Raum östlich und nordöstlich Chartres hält der Druck des Feindes gegen die mittlere Seine an, ohne dass es ihm gelang, weitere Fortschritte zu machen.

Im Gebirgsgelände nördlich Toulon greift der Feind mit starken Kräften nach Westen und Nordwesten an. Heftige Kämpfe sind im Gange. Marineküstenbatterien schossen vor Toulon ein feindliches Schlachtschiff und einen Kreuzer in Brand. Ein Zerstörer und zwei Torpedoboote wurden beschädigt.

Das Vergeltungsfeuer auf London wurde bei Tag und Nacht fortgesetzt.

In Italien führte der Gegner auch gestern im adriatischen Küstenabschnitt seine Angriffe den ganzen Tag hindurch fort. Das zunächst verlorengegangene Höhengelände um Gerasa wurde im Gegenangriff wieder genommen.

Im Osten dehnten die Sowjets ihre Großangriffe jetzt auch auf den Südabschnitt aus. Unter starkem Schlachtfliegereinsatz traten sie südlich Tiraspol und nordwestlich Jassy zum Angriff an. Erbitterte Kämpfe sind in beiden Abschnitten im Gange.

Im Karpatenvorland, südwestlich Mielec, in den Weichselbrückenköpfen westlich Baranow, westlich Lublin und südöstlich Warka wurden bolschewistische Angriffe nach hartem Kampf abgewehrt oder aufgefangen.

Nordöstlich Warschau wurden die Durchbruchsangriffe der Sowjets in Richtung auf den Bug in der Tiefe unserer Stellungen aufgefangen. Südlich Wilkowischken und bei Schaken dauern die harten Abwehrkämpfe an.

In Lettland stellten deutsche Panzerverbände, über Tuckum vorstoßend, die vorübergehend verlorengegangene Verbindung mit den in Kurland kämpfenden Verbänden des Heeres wieder her. Ein deutscher Flottenverband griff unterstützend in diese Landkämpfe ein.

Alle Versuche der Sowjets, ihre Einbruchsräume westlich Modohn und westlich des Pleskauer Sees zu erweitern, wurden durch den zähen Widerstand unserer Divisionen zerschlagen und eine größere Anzahl feindlicher Panzer abgeschossen.

Die Luftwaffe griff in den Schwerpunkträumen wirksam in die Erdkämpfe ein und fügte den Bolschewisten hohe Menschen- und Materialverluste zu. In Luftkämpfen und durch Flakartillerie verlor der Feind gestern an der Ostfront 41 Flugzeuge.

Feindliche Bomberverbände griffen bei Tage einige Orte in Südostdeutschland und in Ungarn an.

In der Nacht warfen einige feindliche Flugzeuge Bomben im Raum Oberdonau. Durch Luftverteidigungskräfte wurden bei diesen Angriffen 15 Terrorbomber abgeschossen.

Zum heutigen OKW-Bericht wird ergänzend mitgeteilt:

Bei den Abwehrkämpfen westlich Bialystok zeichneten sich das Panzergrenadierregiment 25 unter Führung des Hauptmanns Blancbois und die Panzeraufklärungsabteilung 12 unter Führung von Hauptmann Ibach durch besondere Härte und kühnen Angriffsgeist aus.

157

Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (August 21, 1944)

Communiqué No. 135

Further progress in the Allied drive toward LISIEUX has been made. A thrust northeast of GRANDCHAMP brought us to within five miles of the town.

Gains were made on the right bank of the River VIE against determined opposition. The town of LIVAROT was taken and a successful attack was made south of DOZULÉ. FALAISE, where several strenuous attempts by enemy armor to break out were frustrated. ARGENTAN is in our hands. Allied troops occupying CHAMBOIS have held an enemy counterattack toward the town from the northwest.

Enemy forces caught in the trap, including elements of at least 14 divisions, are being subjected to heavy artillery fire.

Allied units are on the SEINE in the vicinity of MANTES-GASSICOURT. To the south, our forces in the DREUX area are mopping-up pocket of resistance. The elimination of isolated German units around ORLÉANS has been completed.

Heavy rainstorms and low clouds limited our air operations. Nevertheless, NORMANDY-based fighters and fighter-bombers continued to harass the enemy withdrawal in the BERNAY area. There was some enemy air reaction and we shot down 12 enemy aircraft.

Concentrations of troops waiting to cross the SEINE near ROUEN were attacked by our medium bombers.

Last night, SEINE ferry crossings at four points between ELBEUF and the coast were attacked by our light bombers. Several barges were hit. Considerable damage was done to road transport in the BERNAY area where bombing by flares was carried out.

On Saturday and Sunday, enemy batteries at HOULGATE and BENERVILLE, which had been interfering with our advance on the northern flank were engaged and neutralized by HMS EREBUS. Early Sunday morning, a coastal patrol of six R-boats was intercepted by light coastal forces. The enemy brought to action under cover of his shore defenses off LE HAVRE and considerable damage was inflicted upon his craft before our patrols withdrew to seaward.

158

U.S. Navy Department (August 21, 1944)

Communiqué No. 538

Pacific and Far East.
U.S. submarines have reported sinking nineteen vessels, including two combatant ships, as a result of operations against the enemy in these waters, as follows:

  • 1 light cruiser
  • 1 escort vessel
  • 1 large tanker
  • 3 medium cargo transports
  • 11 medium cargo vessels
  • 2 small cargo vessels.

These actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué.

CINCPAC Press Release No. 519

For Immediate Release
August 21, 1944

Yap Island in the western Carolines was bombed by Liberators of the 7th AAF on August 19 (West Longitude Date). The airfield and adjacent installations were bombed. No attempt was made to intercept our force, and antiaircraft fire was meager.

On the same day, our aircraft obtained direct hits on gun emplacements and the dock at Pagan Island, and bombed Alamagan Island in the Marianas. Intense anti-aircraft fire was encountered at Pagan Island.

Nauru Island was attacked on August 18 and 19 by Ventura search planes of Group 1, Fleet Air Wing Two, hitting runways and gun positions. In the Marshall Islands on August 19, Wotje and Mille Atolls were bombed and strafed by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing against light opposition.

All of our aircraft returned from these operations.

CINCPAC Press Release No. 520

For Immediate Release
August 21, 1944

Paramushiru Island in the Northern Kurils was attacked by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four on August 19 (West Longitude Date). The airfields were bombed and strafed. Three enemy fighters were airborne but did not attempt to intercept our force. Anti-aircraft fire was moderate.

Mopping-up operations have continued in the Marianas since August 9 (West Longitude Date). During the period August 11‑17, an additional 593 Japanese were killed on Guam Island. We lost 12 killed and 61 wounded in action during this period. With these additional losses inflicted on the enemy, plus the number buried and not previously announced, 14,067 of the enemy have been killed in the Guam campaign through August 17, and more than a hundred made prisoner. During the same period, an additional 187 Japanese were killed on Saipan Island, and 15 prisoners of war were taken, at a cost to us of 5 wounded and 1 missing. A total of 25,144 of the enemy had been buried through August 16 on Saipan. On Tinian Island 201 Japanese were killed during the period August 11‑17, and 15 prisoners taken. We lost 5 killed in action and 11 wounded in action. Enemy dead on Tinian now number 5,745.