America at war! (1941–) – Part 4

1572

Frey: Flak whips against plane flying troops to Holland

Reporter on board sights burning craft on ground, large flooded areas
By Robert L. Frey, United Press staff writer

With 1st Allied Airborne Army over Holland – (Sept. 17, delayed)
This newest of Allied armies aimed a knockout blow at German armies in Holland today as the first of thousands of airborne troops landed behind enemy lines.

I am writing this aboard one of the Dakota transport planes carrying 13 paratroopers and equipment. Ten minutes ago, as we approached the drop zone, flak whipped against the ship, sounding like steel cords thrashed against the aluminum body.

We were going down for the drop. Paratroops stood ready to go with chute cords attached to the line overhead. Each man carried 150 pounds of equipment. They were relaxed and appeared almost casual.

Wished good luck

The two next to me, William Harvey of Rowlesburg, West Virginia, and Doyle Boothe of Winnsboro, South Carolina, medical-aid men, shook hands and wished us luck. The next moment all were gone, their red, yellow and green chutes floating down over the rectangular fields of green and brown.

We were the second group in and the going was not easy for the first, as evidenced by burning planes on the ground. Others, apparently brought down by flak, had crash-landed.

“This is the closest you’ll ever come to being shot down and still get by,” Maj. Robert Gates of Aberdeen, South Dakota, pilot and leader of the squadron, told me.

There was much kidding and good-natured griping among the paratroopers as they settled with their heavy packs aboard the plane. At the takeoff, one shouted: “Look out you foul Germans. Here we come.”

Circled by fighters

The course of the flight took us over enemy territory and great patches of sunlit water surrounded by green fields indicated large areas were flooded.

Allied fighters circled around our comparatively slow-moving caravan. At first sight of them, a Texas paratrooper let out a wild and wooly “yippee” which awoke most of the others who had been dozing.

The paratroops, virtually all of whom were D-Day veterans, included Nicholas Vignovich of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.

Aliquippa paratrooper was wounded on D-Day

Aliquippa, Pennsylvania – (special)
Pvt. Nicholas Vignovich, 32, of 209 Baker St., Aliquippa, who was listed as one of the first parachutists to land in Holland yesterday, is a son of Mrs. Sarah Vignovich of the same address.

He enlisted April 15, 1942, and was wounded on D-Day in the assault on Normandy, spending three weeks in a hospital in England.

His brother, Sam, was killed Sept. 25, 1942, in the Solomon Islands.

1573

AMG established to govern Reich

Nazism to be wiped out, people told

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Kirkpatrick: Special courts to try traitors

High tribunal planned for Laval, Pétain
By Helen Kirkpatrick

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1574

U.S. to auction depression farm

Cooperative to be sold in 30 days

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1575

Editorial: Ford, wages and the future

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1576

Editorial: How to win a war, and things like that

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1577

Editorial: Fair words from Québec

No starting news came out of the Québec Conference. The President and the Prime Minister said Britain would help America lick Japan – a promise made 13 months ago at the First Québec Conference.

The fact that the official statements were on the thin side does not mean nothing was accomplished. Probably some secret agreements were made regarding German armistice terms after unconditional surrender, and the Polish-Russian dispute; and doubtless preparations were made for a fall meeting with Stalin. All this is surmise, however, because the Big Two operate more and more in the dark – not only in military matters, where secrecy is essential, but also in international policy which should not be kept from the public in a democracy.

The combined publicity efforts of the President and the Prime Minister to put the Pacific War into the spotlight is good politics in this country, and is in line with the recent Roosevelt visit to Pearl Harbor. There is the obvious implication that only the Roosevelt-Churchill team can beat the Japs.

Actually, Britain will not get into the Pacific War fully much before “the kill,” to use the Churchill phrase. Apart from China, the United States will have to do most of the job. The Québec propaganda will be harmful if it lulls Americans into believing otherwise.

Of course, Britain intends to get in at the end, and Russia probably does also. Both have large interests in the Far East. Neither can afford to be out of the settlement following Jap defeat.

But, regardless of intent, there are two effective barriers to large British participation in the Pacific War during the decisive period ahead. At least six months will be required after European peace for Britain to shift strength from west to east; and, assuming this is done by next spring, the monsoon season from May to October will prevent major campaigns in the Southeast Asia area where Britain operates.

Help is needed now in the Far East. China is desperate – her base, which American bombers have been using to such good advantage, are being lost to the enemy. Adm. Nimitz and Gen. MacArthur are sweeping across the Pacific faster than anyone could have expected. But the failure of London and New Delhi to support Lord Louis Mountbatten’s command in Southeast Asia is prolonging the war, despite Mr. Churchill’s high promises at the First Québec Conference. One big blow struck by Lord Mountbatten this fall would be worth 10 blows a year later.

1578

Edson: Tax problems in post-war era will be difficult

By Peter Edson

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1579

Ferguson: Easing grief

By Mrs. Walter Ferguson

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1580

americavotes1944

Nation’s job of finding work for veterans stressed by Truman

Legion can aid country’s welfare by assuming that responsibility, candidate says

SenatorTruman43
Truman

Chicago, Illinois (UP) –
Harry S. Truman of Missouri, Democratic candidate for Vice President, told the American Legion today that the organization faces one of its greatest responsibilities in seeing that discharged veterans are promptly placed in jobs.

Truman said:

Our responsibility is to help see that discharged soldiers who have done our fighting are placed properly in industry, in farming and in small business.

I want to emphasize the small business angle. Small business is the bulwark of free enterprise in this country, about which we hear so much talk.

The American Legion can make one of the greatest contributions to the welfare of this great republic if it assumes that responsibility. And I am sure it will do just that.

Outlines G.I. Bill of Rights

Mr. Truman outlined the G.I. Bill of Rights, which he described as “the most comprehensive servicemen’s relief legislation ever passed in the history of this country.”

He said the bill “will prevent a repetition of the tragic mistakes under which World War I veterans suffered and will guarantee just treatment to our veterans.”

He told of visiting hospitals at Mare Island and Bingham, Utah, where he saw “marvelous demonstrations of what is being done along the line of rehabilitation,” one of the important rights stressed by the G.I. Bill.

Demobilization described

Mr. Truman also described the War Department’s demobilization plan. He said that first, of course, the war must be won, “and thoroughly and completely this time.”

“But when the war ends in Germany, men will be available immediately for discharge from the armed services,” he added.

Presentation of the Legion’s Distinguished Service Medal to Gen. Henry H. Arnold, commander of the Army Air Forces, was another highlight to the 26th annual convention.

National Commander of the Legion Warren Atherton presented the award.

Tribute to Gen. Roosevelt

Also on today’s agenda was a memorial service for the late Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt, son of the former President who died in Normandy shortly after the invasion of France.

In addition to Gen. Arnold, the Legion’s Distinguished Service Medal will be presented to two other persons during the three-day conclave.

Former National Commander John R. Quinn of California will present the award to Henry Ford tomorrow, and Wednesday the medal will be awarded posthumously to the late Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox.

To elect new commander

The principal business of the convention will be the selection of a new national commander and the consideration of more than 700 resolutions which have been formulated in the last year.

John Stelle of McLeansboro, Illinois, who served as chairman of Mr. Atherton’s special committee on the G.I. Bill of Rights for veterans of World War II, and Edward N. Scheiberling of Albany, New York, were the leading members being considered for Mr. Atherton’s post, according to unofficial surveys.

Candidates for the presidency of the Legion Auxiliary are Mrs. Charles B. Gilbert of Norwich, Connecticut, and Mrs. Pleasant I. Dixon of Americus, Georgia.

1581

americavotes1944

Must unshackle business, Bricker tells Legion

Chicago, Illinois (UP) –
American business and industry must be “unshackled” in the post-war era to guarantee and provide jobs for returning war veterans to prevent a repetition of the manner in which the job was done after the last war, Ohio Governor John W. Bricker today told veterans of 1918.

Speaking before the American Legion convention, the Republican vice-presidential nominee said failure now to plan for the reabsorption of about 12 million veterans in the nation’s economic life will mean that they fought only for a “battlefield illusion.”

Job guarantee cited

Mr. Bricker said:

But we shall not succeed if we rely only upon good intentions, government doles and public works. Government must help. Government will help. The G.I. Bill of Rights is a good beginning. We must make it work. But that will not solve the problem; and that, I know, is not all our men and women in the armed services want.

Mr. Bricker, an Army chaplain in the last war, pointed out that when soldiers were drafted or enlisted, they were guaranteed, under the Selective Service Act, their old jobs upon their return.

Now, he said, “certain sources” are saying that it will be a mistake to get jobs for veterans by taking them away from someone else – “that seniority rights are property rights and are more sacred than job priorities for our soldiers.”

He declared:

I do not share that view. To accept it is to break our covenant with those who now fight and die for us. All veterans are entitled to have their jobs back and no individual, group or organization dare deny that right.

Bids for support

In a strong bid for Legion support, Mr. Bricker said veterans of World War I felt the “real blow of ingratitude” when under the “guise of economy – when there was no economy in government” – their pensions were cut and benefits vetoed, and the President told them that the simple fact of a man wearing a uniform did not place him “in a special class.”

Reiterating a program outlined in his Parkersburg, West Virginia, speech Friday, Mr. Bricker said a “climate of opportunity” must be created through full production after the war, rationing and price-fixing must be terminated as quickly as possible, taxes reduced and small business encouraged.

Mr. Bricker said:

Our economic society is not tottering in old age. It is simply paralyzed by the restraints and shackles that are fastened on it. Unshackle it, and we shall find it strong and full of promise for the future.

1582

americavotes1944

Bricker to speak in 20 states

Columbus, Ohio (UP) –
Governor John W. Bricker of Ohio, Republican vice-presidential nominee, will begin a 9,250-mile campaign swing Oct. 1 which will carry him into 20 Northwestern, Pacific, Mountain and Southwestern states.

Mr. Bricker will speak in 20 states and confer with Republican leaders in states contiguous to those in which he speaks during the four-week tour.

Dewey will speak in Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston, West Virginia (UP) –
Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York, the Republican presidential nominee, will deliver “one of the important speeches of his campaign” in Charleston’s municipal auditorium Friday, Oct. 6.

1583

Monahan: Wilson rates high among year’s films

Zanuck production a colorful panorama of an exciting era
By Kaspar Monahan

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1584

Six nuns leave to aid leper colony in Pacific

Sisters will work on lonely island

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1585

Treasury balks Dies inquiry

Committee’s probe of incomes curbed

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Freedom of press backed by Hull

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1586

German planes raid outskirts of Rome

Rome, Italy (UP) –
German planes made their first real raid on Rome yesterday, dropping bombs in the outskirts of the city shortly before 10:00 a.m. CET.

The raiders could be seen from the center of Rome. After dropping their bombs, they streaked for the sea to the west, pursued by U.S. fighter planes and harried by bursts of anti-aircraft fire.

1587

americavotes1944

Stokes: Dewey’s strategy

By Thomas L. Stokes

With Dewey party –
Governor Dewey is taking on a progressive Republican coloration as he begins his campaign to win the three Pacific Coast states.

Almost simultaneously with the Republican presidential candidate’s arrival in the state of Washington a Gallup Poll was released giving President Roosevelt the edge in the Coast states as of August, with slight percentage gains since an earlier survey.

Governor Dewey, who pins much faith in the Gallup Poll, was well aware of the task confronting him as he prepared to open his Pacific Coast campaign with the third of his major speeches scheduled for tonight at Seattle. He went to Seattle from Spokane where he spent the weekend.

At the outset of his Pacific Coast tour, which takes him later to Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, he selected as his theme the need for an expanding economy as the hope for both industry and labor.

Buoyancy in the air

He chose well.

For expansion fits the optimistic mood of these people out here in the Pacific Northwest, a bustling, lively land. They are moving forward rapidly and their progress has been accelerated by the great war industries which dot a countryside for which nature has provided so lavishly.

There’s buoyancy in the air.

Governor Dewey is trying to tack on to the New Deal the label of a static economy. He quoted from a speech made by President Roosevelt at San Francisco in 1932 to the effect that our industrial plant is built and distribution was the problem. Repeatedly he raised this quotation and scoffed at it.

On the political side he recognized the cry here for representation of the West in the high councils at Washington. He promised, if elected, a Cabinet post for the West, as well as representation in other high policymaking jobs.

On the economic side he recognized the need of these people for power and water in a region which pioneered in public power, against a heavily entrenched private utility interest, and which has made great advances in public power through the help of the New Deal.

New Deal strength

He said he always had believed that great natural resources should be developed by the federal government for the benefit of all the people.

But he stopped short on distribution of power by the federal government. He took the middle course that while the federal government should produce the power, it should be distributed according to the wishes of local communities:

The chief New Deal strength in this region is that the New Deal under President Roosevelt gave the people such magnificent benefactors as the Grand Coulee project in Washington and Bonneville in Oregon after four years of Republican resistance in Washington.

This counts heavily with average folks in this section who do not take seriously Governor Dewey’s charge that the West has been deserted by the New Deal.

Governor Dewey tried to make up for the past lack of interest among Republicans in such great projects as Grand Coulee and Bonneville by expressing his own interest and his familiarity with them. He visited both four years ago when he was campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination. But he did not dramatize them on this trip by visiting them.

The Republican presidential candidate encounters one continuous demand from people in the Pacific Coast area, which is to retain the war industries which have been located here. This was emphasized when one local newspaper reporter told the Governor that Democrats are spreading the word through the coast area that if he was elected the war industries would be turned over to “eastern monopolists,” which Governor Dewey labeled as “one of the most astonishing misrepresentations of the campaign.”

1588

Maj. Williams: Why the secrecy?

By Maj. Al Williams

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1589

What will Johnny be like when he comes home?
Wecter: What has the war done to your boy?

He’s nervous, explosive and impatient and needs your friendship and sympathy
By Dixon Wecter

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1590

Six trek to safety in Alaska after Liberator explodes

Blast hurtles crew from plane 20,000 feet above ice-ribbed crags of volcano
By Russell Annabel, United Press staff writer

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1591

Allen: Spinach makes George strong – and pop-eyed

By Gracie Allen

Hollywood, California –
California spinach growers are now rushing their product to vitamin-starved Easterners by plane. Less than 24 hours after it leaves the garden it reached your bridgework, sand and all.

Personally, I haven’t been enthusiastic about spinach since I tried it on my husband. For two weeks I stuffed George with spinach, hoping it would make him strong – like Popeye.

Well, it didn’t make him strong – it just made him pop-eyed.

HOLLYWOOD NOTES: Handsome movie star Fred MacMurray just bought a large apartment building and you ought to see the people clamor for his autograph – on a lease. Girls who live in that apartment building used to make it a point to be at the beauty shop the day the landlord came for the rent… now they go to the beauty shop the day before.