Editorial: No frills needed
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Editorial: Christmas
Christmas this year is being celebrated under circumstances which are conducive to close examination of the meaning and significance of the occasion. As President Roosevelt suggested last night, the observance of 1944 is not altogether happy. But for that very reason, perhaps, the annual commemoration of today has an importance far beyond that of any other year within the experience of living men and women.
People know now, as possibly they never knew before, that the divine gift of the Savior is not a benefaction to be had merely for the casual taking. The story of the Nativity as told in the second chapter of the gospel according to Saint Luke contains in the fourteenth verse a thought which is interpreted variously. It represents in one form the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace good will toward men,” and in another, more recent version: “Peace on earth to men of good will.”
Whichever text be accepted, the conception involved is certain to appeal profoundly to thoughtful persons. Those individuals who are now at the middle station of life have lived to witness the tragedies, the sorrows of two great universal conflicts. Neither of the world-devastating disasters had its origins in issues of vast or all-inclusive impact. In each instance, the cause and motivation of the strife have been discovered in some relatively minor difference between states. There has been no truly fundamental contention. Both the First World War and the Second have developed out of disagreements which were at best matters of secondary character. When historians of the distant, philosophic future look back upon the three decades between the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand and the prevailing struggle in France, Belgium and Holland, they well may be amazed that no cure, no corrective, no solution was available to mankind.
But the answer to the obvious question has been available for generations to even the unlettered masses of the human race. It lies in the personal integrity of the average individual. Righteousness and peace are not to be had in this world without honesty and fair dealing among the generality of men. Christmas is the occasion for the reaffirmation not merely of fellowship and brotherhood but, most particularly, of the essential merit of ordinary citizens as beneficiaries of the example of Bethlehem. Christmas in 1944 provides an opportunity for the reaffirmation of the angels’ message of serenity and harmony on earth in terms of a will to good among all classes, all conditions, all nations, all races of people.
ON THE RECORD —
Peace evolves from common human needs
By Dorothy Thompson
God’s peace, primeval leader to fellowship, we now peacefully praise. For, peace is the atonement, the consent who generates and operates one common nature in all. All long for peace. She converts the divisible multitude to total oneness, not silencing all movement but intending everyone’s proper movement. She reduces the civil war of the universe to a harmonious settlement.
Johannes Eriugena
I have headed this Christmas editorial with a quotation from a medieval philosopher, attributed to the year 850 AD, toward the close of the so-called “Dark Ages,” which bear for all our modern science a terrible resemblance to our own age. For then, as now, a world system and civilization had fallen to pieces, leaving social and political disintegration and an Intellectual and spiritual vacuum to fill which two ideas were contending – what in modern phraseology would be called “power politics,” and that of the Christian faith preaching unity in God.
It was this antagonism which made the Dark Ages dark. In the time of Eriugena, the darkness was beginning to lift as the concept of a moral and spiritual order governing the behavior of princes and kings and the relations between classes and peoples was slowly emerging.
Eriugena’s words reveal the true nature of peace. “She converts the divisible multitude to oneness… she reduces the civil war to a harmonious settlement… peace operates one common nature in all.”
The presumption of the “common nature” is essential to peace. Yet the times when this common nature was assumed by the philosopher, at the beginning of the 9th century, showed no outward and visible signs of it. All Europe rocked with wars – not one war but continual and unremitting wars – for centuries the fragments of a broken civilization had been fighting each other; Asiatic hordes were attacking Europe and settling in its midst; Moorish tribes were coming from the south; strong men, mobilizing the countryside, fought to establish fiefs for themselves, and other strong men sought to oust them. The concept of law was nonexistent. The idea of equal citizenship partially established in the Roman era was gone. Wars were “wars of survival.” The enemy had no rights.
The contenders sometimes carried the banner of Christ, but it was a charter only for themselves. Thus Charlemagne, in the name of Christ, having conquered the Saxons (who believed in Wotan), executed them wholesale in a bath of their own blood. And there seemed no end of all this.
Yet the philosopher dared to speak of a common nature in all men.
Peace has its laws no less than war. No lasting peace can be made on the concepts of war. There is no peace as long as an enemy is an enemy. It only exists when he becomes a friend. He can only become a friend, when a new integration can be formed around a superior social and political concept, in the framework of which persons and nations can find oneness not through elimination of any but of the “proper movement” of all.
Our war continues because that superior integration in which all persons and nations can find peace and proper movement is not before the eyes of the people.
Peace is consent. Peace is agreement. Peace is the recognition of a common nature, in which all find liberty under equal law.
The presumption of peace is that what is good for me, and for my nation, is good for you and for all nations.
And until we find that concept under which victorious nations and defeated nations can live by consent, in recognition of Justice, this war will not end, though it may manifest itself in other than the present ways.
Peace is not something to be negotiated. It is not of the marketplace. It is not to be bought or sold, for a haggled price.
Peace is not security to be grabbed by expansions of power, each expansion of one necessitating an expansion of the others until they clash.
Peace is not something to be imposed by force.
Peace is organic harmony, growing out of the factors that unite men – their common needs, rights, loves, yearnings, ideals, despairs.
Statesmanship is the art of discerning and promoting the indivisible factors: it lifts a banner to which all men and nations can, without prejudice to their just aspirations, freely repair; it articulates maxims that are of universal validity, and promises impartial application of them.
Only thus is harmony possible, only harmony is social happiness, and only social happiness is peace.
Maj. Eliot: Season of memories
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot
The Christmas season is always a season of memories.
This is a war Christmas – the sixth war Christmas for most of our Allies (though it is the ninth for the Chinese); it is our fourth.
On our first war Christmas, the nation was still reeling under the shock of the disaster at Pearl Harbor. We are not likely to forget that Christmas for a long time. Looking back on it we realize how little we then understood the magnitude of the task and of the sacrifices which lay before us.
On our second war Christmas, matters were a little better. We were beginning to turn the tide in the Pacific and in Europe. On our third, we could speak with some confidence of the future – it was clear that we were not going to be beaten, but the road still seemed long and difficult.
Our fourth war Christmas comes to us in the midst of the last desperate enemy effort to check our victorious advance in Western Europe. We have succeeded in landing the full might of America and Britain on the continent of Europe, we have smashed the famed Atlantic Wall, we have brought our armies to the western frontiers of Germany itself, we have liberated France, and we have compelled the enemy to throw his last stake upon the board. We are engaged, on this Christmas, in a mighty struggle to destroy this final enemy countereffort, into which he has put his all.
Solemnly in this Christmas season, we may reflect on the sacrifices our sons and brothers and dear ones are making along the Western Front from the valley of the Meuse down through the hills and woods of the Ardennes and in the little towns of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. We know that in the surrounded garrisons behind the wave of the current German advance, our men are having no very cheerful Christmas, that the airborne K rations form the bulk of their Christmas dinner, that they will spend the hours of Christmas Day not in happy relaxation, but in bitter struggle with a desperate enemy.
But we know also that from the north and from the south the divisions of the Allied armies are gathering on the flanks of the German effort; we know that the German attempts to fan out to north and south have been checked at every attempt; we know that German progress westward means only additional peril to the irreplaceable German armored divisions as long as they cannot swing right or left to exploit their gains. For the counterblows, when they come, will strike at base of the German penetration, cutting the supply roads by the lifeblood of the German effort flows to the westward.
And we know that a kindly Providence has given our fighting men the very best Christmas present that they could have asked for. the Christmas gift for which they must have prayed during the days of fog that helped the Germans so greatly – two days of clear weather in which our airmen can strike against the German armor, the German supply columns, the German troop formations. Friday was clear and Friday was spent very largely in overcoming the resistance of the Luftwaffe; Saturday likewise dawned clear, with fewer German planes in the sky, more time therefore for our airpower to hit the Germans on the grounds.
If Christmas Day is likewise clear, we may begin to hope that the tide has been turned.
This writer has seen some war Christmases in earlier days – the Christmas of 1915, when we lay in Egypt licking our wounds and counting the vacant places in our ranks after the terrible defeat of Gallipoli; the Christmas of 1916, when we were reckoning the awful cost and the tiny gains of the great Somme battle; the Christmas of 1917, when the bloody mud of Passchendaele had filled men’s hearts with something very like despair. This is no such Christmas of bitter reflection and uncertain promise. It is a Christmas season in which we may look back with pride upon the accomplishment of the year just ending; when we may look forward to a future bright with hope, a year which certainly will see one of our enemies brought to defeat, a year which will just as certainly see the other reeling under the blows of our concentrated power as we and our Allies close in upon it.
Pro sports leaders optimistic in face of Byrnes directive
Won’t affect baseball, declares Griffith – all cooperate
By Ted Meier, Associated Press sports writer
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Völkischer Beobachter (December 26, 1944)
Die Kriegslage am Jahresende
Die Materialschlacht im Westen
Von Wilhelm Weiß
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Festungsbesatzung im Angriff
Feind vor La Rochelle völlig überrascht
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Im besetzten Italien –
Yankees als Straßenräuber
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Führer HQ (December 26, 1944)
Kommuniqué des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht
Der Großkämpf in Südostbelgien und Mittelluxemburg nimmt weiter an Heftigkeit zu. Im Raum nördlich Laroche hat sich gestern eine Panzerschlacht großen Ausmaßes entwickelt. Bei geringen eigenen Verlusten wurden dabei 70 Panzer der 3. Und 7. amerikanischen Panzerdivision vernichtet oder erbeutet. Von Südwesten und Süden her angreifend, versuchten die Amerikaner weiter vergeblich, ihre um Bastogne eng zusammengedrängten Verbände zu entsetzen. Auch in Mittelluxemburg scheiterten neue feindliche Angriffe. Nur im Raume westlich Echternach konnte der Gegner örtlich Boden gewinnen. Die hohe Zahl von Insgesamt 158 feindlichen Panzern, die gestern im Westen abgeschossen und erbeutet wurden, zeigt von der Härte der Kämpfe und der Überlegenheit unserer Panzerwaffe.
An der lothringisch-elsässischen Nordgrenze drängten unsere Truppen den Feind in mehreren Abschnitten weiter zurück. Nordöstlich Weißenburg wurde das Vorfeld des Westwalls gesäubert und eine Reihe von Ortschaften befreit.
Deutsche Jagdflieger schossen über dem Westkampfraum in heftigen, den ganzen Tag über fortgesetzten Luftkämpfen 35 Feindflugzeuge ab. Mit starken Kräften belegten in der vergangenen Nacht eigene Kampf- und Schlachtflieger den feindlichen Nachschubverkehr mit Bomben.
Das Feuer unserer Fernkampfwaffen auf Lüttich, Antwerpen und London wurde fortgesetzt.
In Mittelitalien durchbrachen deutsche und italienische Truppen bei einem überraschenden Angriff im Raum von Gallicano die amerikanischen Stellungen und warfen Verbände der 92. amerikanischen Infanteriedivision mehrere Kilometer nach Süden zurück. Zahlreiche Gefangene, in der Hauptsache Neger, wurden dabei eingebracht. Nordöstlich Faenza lebte die örtliche Kampftätigkeit wieder auf.
Stärkere deutsche Kräfte hatten Anfang Dezember im Raum Podgorica nördlich des Skutarisees die Westflanke der aus Griechenland zurückmarschierenden eigenen Truppen gesichert. Inzwischen hatten überlegene Bandenkräfte die Rückmarschstraßen nach Norden gesperrt. In harten, mehrere Wochen anhaltenden Gefechten gelang es der deutschen Kampfgruppe, die Banden zu werfen und den Durchbruch durch die montenegrinischen Berge zu erzwingen. Trotz schwierigster Wegeverhältnisse in dem zuerst überschwemmten und dann vereisten Gebirgsgelände haben sie jetzt den Anschluss an unsere in Nordmontenegro stehenden Hauptkräfte erkämpft.
In Ungarn wiesen unsere Sicherungen einen Versuch des Feindes, über den Plattensee zu setzen, ab. Die aus dem Raum Stuhlweißenburg vorgetragenen Angriffe der Sowjets scheiterten. Westlich Budapest gelang es dem Feind, trotz tapferer Gegenwehr unserer Truppen, seine Einbruchsräume nach Nordwesten und Norden zu erweitern. Am Westrand der Stadt wird erbittert gekämpft. Nördlich des Donauknies sind wechselvolle Kämpfe im Gange.
Im Raum Salgötarjän wird in einzelnen Einbruchsstellen gekämpft. Angriffe der Bolschewisten bei Groß-Steffelsdorf und östlich Kaschau blieben im Abwehrfeuer liegen.
Vor unserer Front in Kurland brachen die feindlichen Großangriffe erneut zusammen. Unsere tapfer kämpfenden Divisionen, hervorragend unterstützt durchfliegende Verbände und Flakartillerie der Luftwaffe, brachten den angreifenden Sowjets wiederum eine blutige Niederlage bei und vernichteten 111 Panzer. Die Bolschewisten verloren damit seit Beginn der dritten Abwehrschlacht in Kurland insgesamt 334 Panzer.
Am zweiten Weihnachtsfeiertag waren Orte im westdeutschen Raum, vor allem am Mittelrhein, das Angriffsziel anglo-amerikanischer Terrorbomber und Tiefflieger. Nordamerikanische Verbände warfen außerdem Bomben auf Oberschlesien. Durch Jäger und Flakartillerie der Luftwaffe verlor der Feind gestern insgesamt 61 Flugzeuge.
Deutsche Unterseeboote versenkten zwei stark gesicherte Dampfer mit zusammen 12.000 BRT und torpedierten einen weiteren. Ferner wurde vor Cherbourg ein 14.000 BRT großes Fahrgastschiff durch Torpedotreffer so schwer beschädigt, dass mit seinem Untergang zu rechnen ist. Aus Sicherungs- und Unterseebootjagdgruppen sind außerdem acht Zerstörer und Geleitfahrzeuge versenkt worden.
Bei den schweren Abwehrkämpfen in Kurland haben sich die 205. Infanteriedivision unter Führung des Generalleutnants von Mellenthin und die 19. SS-Freiwilligendivision (Lettische Nr. 2) unter SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Streckenbach hervorragend geschlagen.
Im Kampfgebiet der Donau hat die junge ungarische Division Szentläszlö hervorragenden Kampfgeist in Angriff und Abwehr bewiesen. Sie fügte die stark überlegenen Feind hohen Verluste zu und hielt ihre Stellungen, ohne einen Fußbreit Boden zu verlieren.
Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (December 26, 1944)
FROM
(A) SHAEF MAIN
ORIGINATOR
PRD, Communique Section
DATE-TIME OF ORIGIN
261100A December
TO FOR ACTION
(1) AGWAR
(2) NAVY DEPARTMENT
TO (W) FOR INFORMATION (INFO)
(3) TAC HQ 12 ARMY GP
(4) MAIN 12 ARMY GP
(5) SHAEF AIR STAFF
(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) UNITED KINGDOM BASE
(15) SACSEA
(16) CMHQ (Pass to RCAF & RCN)
(17) COM ZONE
(18) SHAEF REAR
(19) NEWS DIV. MINIFORM, LONDON
(REF NO.)
NONE
(CLASSIFICATION)
IN THE CLEAR
Communiqué No. 262
Allied forces in Holland have encountered enemy patrol activity along the Meuse River north of Tilburg, and in the Venlo area.
South of Düren, we have pushed forward into the village of Winden, where fighting is still going on against strong opposition, and cleared Obermaubach, one mile farther south.
In the Monschau–Malmedy sector, following a quiet day, the Germans launched an attack in the evening with armor and infantry near Büllingen. This was repulsed with heavy losses to the enemy. Our troops have cleared La Gleize, three miles northwest of Stavelot. Malmedy, Stavelot and Stoumont remain in Allied hands.
In the area northwest of Lierneux, our troops made a slight withdrawal and the enemy has reached Granmenil a few miles west. More enemy paratroops have been dropped in the area a few miles southwest of Stavelot and north of Beauraing, five miles southeast of Givet. All these were mopped up.
Rochefort has been occupied by the enemy and enemy pressure has been increasing east of Hotton, near Rochefort and near Marche.
Bastogne is still held by our forces despite heavy pressure. The enemy has launched an attack with tanks and infantry near Marvie, and after making gains southwest of Bastogne, now holds Rosière and Libramont.
Along the southern flank of the enemy penetration, gains have been made and enemy attacks repulsed. Fighting is still in progress near Chaumont and we have cleared the enemy from Warnach. Ground has been gained just north of Bigonville, and in the areas of Neuenhausen, Heiderscheid and Arsdorf, which has been cleared of the enemy. German attacks near Heiderscheid and at Kehmen were repulsed. Progress was also made south and east of Diekirch, where we took Moestroff, and south of Echternach, despite enemy counterattacks.
Air operations were continued yesterday on a large scale. Ground targets in the battle area, including motor transport, armor, strong points and gun positions were attacked throughout the day by fighter-bombers.
The enemy’s supply and reinforcement routes in and behind the battle zone were the objectives for heavy, medium and light bombers.
Rail bridges and road and rail junctions in the battle area were attacked by medium forces of escorted bombers.
Road junctions at Bad Münstereifel, in the Bitburg area and at Vianden were attacked by medium and light bombers; at the latter place a fuel storage depot also was hit. Rail bridges at Konz-Karthaus, Taben and Keuchingen, as well as rail facilities in the St. Vith area and at Wengerohr, and communication centers at Hillesheim and Ahütte were also attacked by medium and light bombers.
Farther south, medium bombers went for a rail bridge at Singen, while fighter-bombers attacked locomotives and rolling stock in the region of the upper Rhine River. In the Colmar area, fighter-bombers gave close support to our ground forces.
Seventy-eight enemy aircraft were shot down yesterday, 13 heavy bombers, 7 medium and light bombers and 43 fighters are missing. Some of the fighters are believed to have landed safely in friendly territory.
Ground patrols were active in the Wissembourg area and along the Rhine River. Nothweiler and Schweigen-Rechtenbach were shelled by enemy artillery.
North of Colmar, our troops have reentered Bennwihr.
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 FA2409
AUTHENTICATING SIGNATURE
/s/U.S. Navy Department (December 26, 1944)
CINCPAC Communiqué No. 214
Between 16 and 25 enemy planes attacked an airstrip on Saipan on the night of December 24 (West Longitude Date). Our fighters shot down three planes. Anti-aircraft fire destroyed a fourth. One of our planes was destroyed on the ground and several others were damaged. Six men were injured.
Liberators of the Strategic Air Force bombed the airstrip and plane dispersal areas on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos on December 24. Meager anti-aircraft fire was encountered.
Corsairs of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing attacked Rota in the Marianas on December 24.
Fighters of the 2nd MARAIRWING sank an enemy barge at Babelthuap in the Palaus on December 24.
The Pittsburgh Press (December 26, 1944)
Germans smash 11 miles, threaten line at Meuse
Nazi spearheads join for westward smash with renewed force
By J. Edward Murray, United Press staff writer
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SHAEF: Drive is Hitler’s brainchild
By James McGlincy, United Press staff writer
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