America at war! (1941–) – Part 4

2260

Führer HQ (October 3, 1944)

Kommuniqué des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht

Die harten Kämpfe an den bisherigen Brennpunkten der Westfront halten unter verstärktem Einsatz der beiderseitigen Luftwaffen an. Die an einzelnen Stellen über den Antwerpen-Turnhout-Kanal vorgedrungenen kanadischen Verbände haben gegen zähen eigenen Widerstand Gelände gewonnen. Unsere Truppen verbesserten zwischen Niederrhein und Waal ihre am Vortage erreichten Stellungen und behaupteten sie gegen starke englische Gegenangriffe. Feindliche Panzerkräfte drücken weiter gegen unsere Front südlich Gennep, konnten aber nur zwei geringfügige Einbrüche erzielen.

Zwischen Maeseyck und Aachen nahm die Kampftätigkeit zu. Durch Gefangene festgestellte Verschiebung von amerikanischen Divisionen nach Norden kann als Anzeichen für einen bevorstehenden Angriff des Feindes in Nordholland und im Raum Aachen gewertet werden. Bei zahlreichen örtlichen Angriffen und vergeblichen Aufklärungsvorstößen des Gegners wurde eine Anzahl amerikanischer Panzer im Nahkampf vernichtet.

Eigene Angriffe entsetzten westlich Château-Salins eine vorübergehend eingeschlossene deutsche Kampfgruppe und gewannen mehrere Ortschaften. Im Parroywald wurde der erneut angreifende Feind abgewiesen und dann im Gegenstoß geworfen.

Versuche nordamerikanischer Regimenter, in unsere Höhenstellungen beiderseits der oberen Mortagne und östlich der oberen Mosel einzudringen, führten nur zu geringen örtlichen Erfolgen. Um einzelne Orte wird noch gekämpft.

Nach stärksten Luftangriffen des Feindes gingen auch die letzten Stützpunkte in Calais in erbittertem Kampf verloren. Dünkirchen und unsere Stützpunkte am Atlantik melden die erfolgreiche Abwehr feindlicher Angriffe.

Im Etruskischen Apennin hat die 5. amerikanische Armee ihre Angriffe von neuem aufgenommen. Unsere zäh kämpfenden Grenadiere schlugen sie nordwestlich Firenzuola zurück und fingen weiter östlich eingebrochenen Feind in der Tiefe des Hauptkampffeldes auf. An der Adria wurden englische Angriffe abgewiesen.

Südwestlich Temeschburg und im Donauabschnitt beiderseits des Eisernen Tores stehen unsere Truppen in heftigen Kämpfen mit angreifenden sowjetisch-rumänischen Verbänden. Stärkere sowjetische Kräfte sind in Weißkirchen an der serbisch-rumänischen Grenze eingedrungen. Westlich Arad, bei Großwardein und beiderseits Torenburg wurden bolschewistische Angriffe abgewiesen. An der Maros dauern die örtlichen Kämpfe an.

In den Ostbeskiden lag der Schwerpunkt der feindlichen Angriffe weiter im Raum südlich Dukla. Die Bolschewisten konnten nur wenig Boden gewinnen, erlitten aber hohe blutige Verluste.

Die Aufstandsbewegung in Warschau ist zusammengebrochen. Nach wochenlangen Kämpfen, die zur fast völligen Zerstörung der Stadt führten, haben die Reste der Aufständischen, von allen Seiten verlassen, den Widerstand eingestellt und kapituliert.

Von der übrigen Ostfront werden nur die Abwehr feindlicher Angriffe nordöstlich Warschau und erfolgreiche Angriffsunternehmen unserer Grenadiere östlich Mitau gemeldet.

Auf der Insel Dagö landeten, durch Tiefflieger unterstützt, starke feindliche Kräfte und stehen im Südteil der Insel mit unseren Besatzungen im Kampf.

Anglo-amerikanische Bomberverbände führten Terrorangriffe gegen Orte in West- und Mitteldeutschland. Vor allem wurden die Wohngebiete von Kassel und Hamm getroffen. In der vergangenen Nacht warfen britische Flugzeuge Bomben auf Braunschweig.

Über dem Reichsgebiet und dem Westkampfraum wurden 30 feindliche Flugzeuge abgeschossen.

Im Monat September wurden durch Jäger und Flakartillerie der Luftwaffe 1.307 anglo-amerikanische Flugzeuge, darunter 591 viermotorige Bomber, vernichtet. In dieser Zahl sind nicht eingeschlossen weit über 1.000 im holländischen Kampfraum abgeschossene Lastensegler. Truppen des Heeres und der Waffen-SS schossen in der gleichen Zeit 140 feindliche Flugzeuge und Lastensegler ab. An der Ostfront verloren die Sowjets 1.280 Flugzeuge.

Bei den Kämpfen im Raum südlich Château-Salins hat sich Leutnant Danowski, Kompanieführer in einem Panzergrenadierregiment, als Stoßtruppführer besonders ausgezeichnet.

Bei den Kämpfen westlich Château-Salins hat sich die 559. Volksgrenadierdivision hervorragend bewährt.

Im Nordabschnitt der Ostfront hat sich der Obergefreite Lawrenz in der 5. Kompanie eines Jägerregiments durch besonderen Schneid hervorgetan.

2261

Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (October 3, 1944)

FROM
(A) SHAEF FORWARD

ORIGINATOR
PRD, Communique Section

DATE-TIME OF ORIGIN
031100A October

TO FOR ACTION
(1) AGWAR (Pass to WND)

TO (W) FOR INFORMATION (INFO)
(2) FIRST US ARMY GP
(3) ADV HQ 12 ARMY GP
(4) FWD ECH (MAIN) 12 ARMY GP
(5) AEAF
(6) ANCXF
(7) EXFOR MAIN
(8) EXFOR REAR
(9) DEFENSOR, OTTAWA
(10) CANADIAN C/S, OTTAWA
(11) WAR OFFICE
(12) ADMIRALTY
(13) AIR MINISTRY
(14) ETOUSA
(15) SACSEA
(16) CMHQ (Pass to RCAF & RCN)
(17) COM Z APO 871
(18) SHAEF MAIN

(REF NO.)
NONE

(CLASSIFICATION)
IN THE CLEAR

Communiqué No. 178

Allied infantry and tanks have launched an attack in the area north of Aachen. Our troops have crossed the Würm River and the attack is meeting strong resistance from pillboxes and enemy artillery and mortar fire. In the area west of Hürtgen, an enemy counterattack was contained with no ground lost.

The attack across the Würm River followed an intensive air bombardment and artillery barrage. Escorted medium and fighter-bombers gave close support by attacking gun positions, troop concentrations and communications. Other fighter-bombers went for transportation targets in the Ruhr and in Holland, and approximately 1,200 escorted heavy bombers attacked industrial targets in the Kassel and Cologne areas and a railyard at Hamm. From these operations, 12 bombers and seven fighters are missing. Last night, light bombers continued attacks on transportation targets in northwestern Germany.

Our ground forces in the Dutch salient advanced several miles towards Meijel and other units freed Overloon in an advance against heavy resistance. Several enemy tanks and numerous anti-tank guns have been destroyed in the area and we are in contact with strong bodies of enemy.

Southeast of Arnhem, escorted medium bombers attacked strongpoints and fighters and fighter-bombers gave close support to ground troops.

On the west of the salient, we have extended our hold on the north bank of the Antwerp-Turnhout Canal west of Saint-Lenaarts. Progress was also made northwest of Turnhout.

In southeastern Luxembourg, our troops have reached the outskirts of Grevenmacher, on the Moselle River. Northeast of Nancy, the Forêt de Gremecey has been cleared.

Our troops have pushed ahead at a number of places in the Épinal sector, encountering stiff opposition.

Further south, Ronchamp, west of Belfort, was freed. German efforts to move reinforcements to advanced units were checked with heavy losses to the enemy.

COORDINATED WITH: G-2, G-3 to C/S

THIS MESSAGE MAY BE SENT IN CLEAR BY ANY MEANS
/s/

Precedence
“OP” - AGWAR
“P” - Others

ORIGINATING DIVISION
PRD, Communique Section

NAME AND RANK TYPED. TEL. NO.
D. R. JORDAN, Lt Col FA Ext. 9

AUTHENTICATING SIGNATURE
/s/
2262

U.S. Navy Department (October 3, 1944)

CINCPAC Communiqué No. 139

During October 1 and 2 (West Longitude Date), continued progress was made toward eliminating the last enemy resistance at Bloody Nose Ridge on Peleliu Island, and mopping‑up operations proceeded on Angaur Island. The difficult work of rooting out enemy troops from nearly inaccessible caves continues. On the night of October 1, a single enemy plane dropped two bombs in a swamp near the airfield at Peleliu, which did no damage.

On October 1, 7th Air Force Liberators dropped 31 tons of bombs on the airfield at Dublon Island in the Truk Atoll. Two enemy planes attempted unsuccessful interception. Two Liberators were damaged by moderate anti­aircraft fire.

The SS ELIHU THOMPSON, a Liberty ship operated by the War Shipping Administration and chartered by the Navy, struck a mine while entering a South Pacific port on September 25. Eleven Army personnel on board the vessel were killed by the resultant explosion and 22 are missing. No casualties were suffered by naval or Merchant Marine personnel. Survivors were removed from the THOMPSON by patrol craft and the ship’s own boats, and a Navy salvage unit took the vessel in tow and beached her. The ship can be restored to service. All next of kin of casualties have been notified.

2263

The Pittsburgh Press (October 3, 1944)

Yanks cut Siegfried Line in big push on Cologne

U.S. troops knock out fortresses with bayonets and flamethrowers
By Virgil Pinkley, United Press staff writer

…

2264

Japanese land near Chinese port

Seek to thwart U.S. invasion at Foochow
By the United Press

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Four-day bombings kill hundreds of Japs

…

2265

americavotes1944

Teamsters boss indignant over story about scuffle

Tobin charges report is ‘political’

Washington (UP) –
President Daniel Tobin of the AFL Teamsters Union was highly indignant today at reports that he had been involved in a scuffle with two Navy men following the President’s speech at the Teamsters dinner a week ago Saturday and said he thought the reports were circulated for political purposes.

“I never heard of this affair until I read it in the papers,” Mr. Tobin said in New York.

Lt. Randolph Dickins Jr., the Navy officer who told his side of the story to reporters yesterday at Bethesda Naval Hospital where he has been a battle fatigue patient since July 18, did not recognize a picture of Mr. Tobin as one of the group.

Mr. Tobin said reports he has attacked the naval officers were “libelous and slanderous.” Such reports were circulated, he said, in hope “that a political purpose might be served by involving me in a disgraceful episode… for the purpose of injuring the candidates of the Democratic Party.”

Mr. Tobin also denied he had been “foolish enough” to telephone the White House, as reported, in an attempt to suppress publication of the incident.

Lt. Dickins said he and his companion were accosted by a group of men who “seemed to get rather angry” when the Navy men declined to answer questions about their political preferences.

The second naval officer involved in the scrap identified himself today as LtCdr. James H. Suddeth, 33, of Greer, South Carolina, on duty in the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics here.

Lt. Dickins said he personally knocked down four or five men, including one whom, he said, his assailants described as a personal friend of President Roosevelt. He said his companion was held down by the alleged attackers throughout the melee.

Cdr. Suddeth corroborated Lt. Dickins’ story except for what he called “a few minor differences.”

“Actually, I was only halfway down and I was doing any almightiest to get back up,” Cdr. Suddeth said.

Navy officials took the view that only “personal affairs” were involved and said there was no “official docketing” of the disturbance.

In response to a question as to whether news to the altercation would be sent to Navy personnel overseas, a Navy spokesman said:

The heavy load on naval communications necessitates limitations on the amount of material which may be included in the daily radio news digests. These limitations do not permit the inclusions of items of a controversial or political nature.

Meanwhile, Rep. John E. Rankin (D-MS) called for a thorough investigation of the altercation. He said he thought such an inquiry would be within the province of either the Navy or the Justice Department.

2266

300 Detroit plants faced by strikes

Million may quit in wage dispute

…

2267

Jackie Cooper cleared by court in morals case

…

Smith’s condition reported weaker

New York (UP) –
Former Governor Alfred E. Smith, who is gravely ill at Rockefeller Institute, was “weaker” today.

Dr. Raymond P. Sullivan said:

Mr. Smith has suffered a little relapse since 7:00 a.m. because of a congestion in his right lung and a consequent embarrassment to his heart and circulation.

Mr. Smith was visited yesterday by members of his family and Catholic Church dignitaries. John J. Raskob, industrialist and friend of the 1928 Democratic presidential candidate, saw him briefly.

2268

americavotes1944

Dewey will speak tonight on taxes

Albany, New York (UP) –
Governor Thomas E. Dewey, Republican presidential candidate, resumes active campaigning tonight with a 15-minute radio address on “a subject of vital importance to 50 million Americans – taxes.”

The speech will be broadcast from the New York State Executive Mansion over the Mutual Broadcasting System.

The address will be on WCAE from 8:45 to 9:00 p.m.

The Governor has been working on tonight’s talk with Elliott V. Bell, state superintendent of bank and a close advisor. They also devoted time to the address which Governor Dewey will deliver at Charleston, West Virginia, Saturday night. Originally the Charleston talk had been scheduled for Friday, Oct. 6, the night after President Roosevelt’s address scheduled Thursday night.

It is believed the contents of the Charleston talk will depend in some part in Mr. Roosevelt’s speech.

2269

Rommel lost eyesight, clandestine radio says

London, England (UP) –
The clandestine Radio Atlantic said today that Field Marshal Erwin Rommel had lost his eyesight as the result of wounds received during an Allied air raid in Normandy July 17.

2270

I DARE SAY —
Mr. Brown goes to the movies

By Florence Fisher Parry

…

2271

americavotes1944

NCPAC assailed as Communistic

Charge made by Dies investigator

…

2272

Leif Erikson Day set

Washington –
President Roosevelt today praised the descendants of Lief Erickson, Norse pioneer who attempted to settle on this continent more than 900 years ago, for the part they are playing in the battle for the “sacred cause of democracy.” Leif Erikson Day will be observed Oct. 9.

2273

Allied planes blast 10 more Jap vessels

Yanks mop up in Southern Palaus

…

2274

‘Death sitting beside you’ –
Doughboys save bridgehead with 3-week miracle stand

Shoes rot off in foxholes, as platoon holds hill against attacks of German tanks
By Collie Small, United Press staff writer

…

Front reporter says –
No walkover due in attack above Aachen

Foxholes bolster West Wall pillboxes
By William H. Stoneman

…

2275

2,000 planes rip Nazi tank, truck plants

Fortresses pound southern Germany

…

Navy chiefs map Japs’ destruction

…

2276

Fifth Army drives closer to Bologna

Yanks 16 miles from Po Valley city
By Reynolds Packard, United Press staff writer

…

2277

After the surrender –
Germany may get food from Allies

U.S., Britain to ship to western area

…

Chinese peace plan studied

…

2278

Labor planning broad attack on pay ceiling

WLB will resume hearings tomorrow

…

Insurance row causes strike

Bridgeport walkout one of five in district

…

2279

americavotes1944

Perkins: Giving Congress pay reins would solve political mess

President could get off ‘Little Steel’ spot by following Monroney suggestion
By Fred W. Perkins, Pittsburgh Press staff writer

Washington –
President Roosevelt could remove a ticklish political question from the campaign by adopting a suggestion that the important decision on breaking wartime wage controls should be made by Congress and not by the Executive.

He would be relieved of possible political repercussions, which are thought likely no matter which way he moves.

Congress will not be back in Washington until a week after the Nov. 7 election, and Congressional leaders hold that the decision then could be made without the political pressure that will exist in the next five weeks.

CIO backing fourth term

CIO unions, in the front of the drive to smash the “Little Steel” formula of wage control, are pressing the War Labor Board to get its recommendations on the President’s desk not later than Oct. 16. Philip Murray, CIO president, denied any political implications, but insisted on the deadline. The CIO unions, through the Political Action Committee headed by Sidney Hillman, are prominent in the drive for the fourth term.

The suggestion that Congress make the decision was presented to Judge Fred M. Vinson, Director of Economic Stabilization, by Rep. A. S. “Mike” Monroney (D-OK), who has been active in stabilization legislation. He wrote to Judge Vinson:

Because wages and prices are so closely tied together, I would hike to insist that before any modification of the “Little Steel” formula is made, Congress be given a chance to approve or disapprove this important step…

To break through the “Little Steel” formula now would result in a general upward movement of all prices, of great enough degree to cancel out all, or almost all, of the real purchasing power of any increase.

Formula not in law

The formula is not written into law, but has been given such support by executive orders of the President that the WLB has stated it cannot make a change. It can only advise Mr. Roosevelt – the only official with power to decide – who finds himself called on to approve or disapprove a pay raise for groups including millions who are regarded as his political supporters.

The political implications figured yesterday when the WLB received Statements opposing immediate changes from Robert M. Gaylord, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, and Eric A. Johnston, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Political football

Mr. Gaylord’s statement included a regret “that a decision on this issue has been postponed until this time, when circumstances make it a political football.”

John Brophy, a CIO member of the board, asked if the issue “wouldn’t be just as political after election,” and the NAM president replied, “That depends on the kind of a deal made before election.”

Mr. Johnston was not pulled into the political discussion, but was asked by Mr. Brophy what he thought of the guaranteed annual wage being demanded by some big unions. Mr. Johnston said he had “always been in favor of leveling out the peaks and valleys of industrial production,” and recently had initiated studies looking toward “a more stable pay envelope” for all the employees of American industry.

Meanwhile, some industrialists were wondering if the President would call into consultation an industry war advisory committee which he formed a year ago, but piety has not met since Oct. 27, 1943.

The industry committee includes B. F. Fairless (president of U.S. Steel Corporation), Frederick C. Crawford (former president of NAM), Richard R. Deupree (head of Procter & Gamble Company), George H. Mead of the Mead Corporation in Dayton and an industry member of the WLB, David Sarnoff (president of RCA) and several others.