Glad to be back –
G.I. adulation does not spoil Brown Bomber
By Jack Cuddy, United Press staff writer
…
Glad to be back –
Völkischer Beobachter (October 12, 1944)
So soll die deutsche Ausrottung beginnen –
Eisenhowers erste Versklavungsdekrete
…
Führer HQ (October 12, 1944)
Kommuniqué des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht
In Holland kam es in den letzten Tagen zu weiteren schweren Kämpfen im Brückenkopf südlich der Westerschelde. Der östlich Breskens gelandete Feind erlitt durch Artilleriefeuer und Gegenangriffe schwere Verluste. Die nach Südbeverland führende Landbrücke, die durch starke kanadische Angriffe vorübergehend unterbrochen war, wurde wieder freigekämpft.
In der Schlacht um Aachen drängten unsere Gegenangriffe die amerikanischen Verbände nördlich der Stadt in die Verteidigung. Östlich der Stadt hat der Feind nach heißem Ringen einigen Boden gewinnen können. Unsere Grenadiere schlugen im Wald von Roetgen den mit starken Kräften wiederholt angreifenden Gegner wieder zurück.
Auch in den Frontabschnitten von Metz bis östlich Épinal wurden örtliche, zum Teil von Panzern unterstützte Angriffe abgewiesen, östlich Remiremont dauern die harten Kämpfe mit den in unsere Stellungen eingedrungenen algerischen und marokkanischen Verbänden an.
Vor unseren Küstenstützpunkten beschränkte das herbstliche Wetter den Kampf auf beiderseitige Artillerie- und Aufklärungstätigkeit.
Das „V1“-Fernfeuer auf London wurde fortgesetzt.
Im Etruskischen Apennin nahmen die Kämpfe beiderseits der Straße Florenz–Bologna im Laufe des Tages an Heftigkeit zu. Die auf breiter Front geführten feindlichen Angriffe wurden zerschlagen. Nur eine Bergstellung, die dreimal den Besitzer gewechselt bat, befand sich am Abend in der Hand des Feindes.
Auf dem Balkan verstärkt sich der Druck der Sowjets im Raum zwischen Zajecar und Belgrad, vor allem an der unteren Morawa.
Sicherungsfahrzeuge der Kriegsmarine schossen in der Ägäis ein britisches Schnellschiff in Brand und beschädigten ein weiteres durch Artilleriefeuer. Im gleichen Seegebiet wehrte Bordflak eines Truppengeleits 16 erfolglos angreifende Bomber ab und brachte fünf von ihnen zum Absturz. Außerdem erlitt ein feindliches Unterseeboot im Kampf mit einem deutschen Sicherungsfahrzeug schwere Beschädigungen.
Heftige Kämpfe sind in Südungarn mit dem über die Theiß nach Westen vordringenden Feind im Gange. Ein ungarischer Kavallerieverband warf den auf Kecskemet vorgedrungenen Feind über den Fluss nach Osten zurück.
Südlich Debrecen wird weiter erbittert gerungen. Nach harten Gefechten setzten sich unsere Truppen aus dem Raum von Klausenburg befehlsgemäß nach Norden ab. Scharf nachdrängender Feind wurde zurückgeworfen.
Truppen des Heeres und der Waffen-SS errangen nördlich Warschau einen vollen Abwehrerfolg gegen die angreifenden Sowjets. Auch südlich Rozan und bei Wilkowischken blieben starke feindliche Angriffe erfolglos. Die schweren Kämpfe nördlich Tilsit und im Memelgebiet dauern weiter an. 42 feindliche Panzer wurden vernichtet. Versuche des Gegners, unseren Brückenkopf am Memel einzudrücken, scheiterten am zähen Widerstand der Besatzung. Bei Riga traten die Bolschewisten mit zahlreichen Infanterie- und Panzerkräften zum Angriff an. Der Ansturm brach zusammen. Die auf der Halbinsel Sworbe angreifenden Bolschewisten wurden abgewiesen; ein Landungsversuch von Westen her vereitelt.
An der Eismeerfront wehrten unsere Gebirgsjäger in schweren Kämpfen die Umfassungsangriffe überlegener sowjetischer Kräfte ab und vernichteten dabei ein bolschewistisches Regiment. Die auf der Fischerhalbinsel gelandeten feindlichen Kräfte wurden aufgefangen.
Bei Luftschlachten über Petsamo am 9. und 11. Oktober verloren die Sowjets 110 Flugzeuge; davon 89 durch Jäger.
Nordamerikanische Terrorflieger warfen Bomben auf Wien, Köln und Koblenz. Einzelne britische Störflugzeuge griffen in der vergangenen Nacht die Reichshauptstadt an. Trotz erschwerter Abwehrbedingungen schoss die Flakartillerie der Luftwaffe 11 viermotorige Bomber und zwei Jäger ab.
In den schweren Abwehrkämpfen nördlich der Memel hat sich die schlesisch-sudetendeutsche 5. Panzerdivision unter Führung von Generalleutnant Decker durch beispielhaften Kampfgeist erneut hervorgetan.
Im Nordabschnitt der Ostfront hat sich das norddeutsche Werferregiment 70 unter Führung von Oberst Martens hervorragend bewährt.
Eine Gruppe der Donauflottille der Kriegsmarine unter Führung von Korvettenkapitän z. V. Koschu kämpfte sich vom 5. bis 7. Oktober mit zehn Schleppzügen von insgesamt 71 beladenen Leichtern unter fortgesetztem feindlichem Angriff bei geringen eigenen Verlusten durch das von Sowjets und Banden besetzte Banat von Moldawa bis Neusatz donauaufwärts durch und führte damit eine große Menge wertvoller Güter zurück.
Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (October 12, 1944)
FROM
(A) SHAEF FORWARD
ORIGINATOR
PRD, Communique Section
DATE-TIME OF ORIGIN
121100A 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. 187
The Allied bridgehead over the Saint-Leenarts Canal was held firmly yesterday and our landings on the south shore of the Scheldt River reinforced.
Fighters and fighter-bombers continued their support of our troops in the Breskens area. Fortified positions at Oostburg, Sluis and Schoondijke were hit with rockets and bombs. Heavy bombers with fighter cover attacked a dyke near Veere and gun emplacements on the island of Walcheren and on the Dutch mainland opposite flushing. One bomber is missing.
West of Arnhem, the enemy has withdrawn from one area on the south bank of the Lower Rhine. Strongpoints, troop concentrations and tanks in the Arnhem area were attacked by fighters and fighter-bombers in support of our ground forces.
Our troops encircling Aachen renewed their attack on the city following the refusal of the German garrison to surrender. The city was bombarded for five hours by medium bombers. Fighter-bombers attacked enemy troops southeast of the city.
North of Aachen, enemy infantry and tanks were engaged in Bardenberg.
Counterattacks were beaten off in the Haaren area and heavy losses were inflicted by our infantry, with close artillery support.
Southeast of Aachen, our troops have advanced against stubborn resistance to cut the Monschau–Düren road about one mile southeast of Hürtgen.
In France, hard fighting continues in Maizières-lès-Metz. The enemy is using the basements of houses as anti-tank positions. We repulsed a strong counterattack in the vicinity of Létricourt, north of Nancy.
In the Vosges foothills, limited advances were made northeast of Épinal and in the Le Thillot area where, in hard fighting, enemy counterattacks have been repulsed. The village of Sapois is in our hands.
The bridgehead over the Moselotte River has been extended. Transportation targets in the Rhineland were hit by fighter-bombers. Canal locks and railway bridges in the Saarbrucken area were also attacked.
Heavy escorted bombers struck at military targets in the region of Köln–Koblenz. Five bomber and one fighter are missing.
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/U.S. Navy Department (October 12, 1944)
CINCPAC Communiqué No. 149
A large force of carrier aircraft from a task force of the Pacific Fleet struck enemy air bases and installations on Luzon during the afternoon of October 10 (West Longitude Date). Detailed reports of the damage inflicted are not yet available.
During October 11, elements of the 1st Marine Division continued to root out enemy troops from caves on Bloody Nose Ridge at Peleliu Island.
A commanding height was seized during the day which overlooks the small area held by the beleaguered defenders. On Angaur, enemy troops have been confined to an area 150 yards square by the mopping up of troops of the 81st Infantry Division. A single enemy plane bombed Angaur during the night of October 10‑11 but did no damage and was later shot down by one of our night fighters. Elements of the 81st Infantry Division reconnoitered Arimasuku Island during the day and found it unoccupied.
Three of our planes while on patrol near Iwo Jima on October 10 were attacked by eight enemy fighter planes. Six of the eight enemy planes were shot down. No damage was inflicted on our planes. Seventh Air Force Liberators sank a small enemy cargo ship south of Hahajima in the Bonins on October 11 while other Liberators bombed shipping and installations at Chichijima. Anti-aircraft fire on these attacks were moderate.
Thunderbolts of the 7th Air Force bombed and rocketed Pagan in the Marianas once on October 10 while Liberators and Thunderbolts struck twice on October 11. Liberators of the 7th Air Force attacked Marcus Island on October 11 experiencing meager anti-aircraft fire. Liberators attacked Wake Island on October 10.
On the same day, 7th Air Force Mitchells bombed gun emplacements and the runways at Nauru Island. Moderate anti-aircraft fire was encountered. On the night of October 10, Nauru was attacked by a single Navy search plane of Fleet Air Wing One.
Liberators of the 7th Air Force dropped 55 tons of bombs on the airfield and other installations at Moen Island in the Truk Atoll on October 9. Anti-aircraft fire was meager. Three enemy fighter planes attempted interception without success.
The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing conducted further neutralization raids against enemy‑held islands in the Marshalls on October 10.
The Pittsburgh Press (October 12, 1944)
Two Aachen districts seized
U.S. infantry drives for dominating hill inside German city
By J. Edward Murray, United Press staff writer
…
1,000 planes hit Formosa in Yank raid, Japs say
Tokyo radio reports vital fleet hideout dealt stunning blow
By the United Press
…
Soldier vote plans vary in district
Disposition of faulty ballots surveyed
Election authorities in 10 counties in the Pittsburgh district are following varied courses of procedure in deciding on the disposition of technically faulty military ballots, a survey by The Press revealed today.
None of the 10 countries canvassed appeared to be following the procedure adopted by Allegheny County Elections Director David Olbum.
Mr. Olbum has returned all ballots lacking the proper affidavits or signatures with letters asking the military voters to make corrections in accordance with the law and return the ballots at once.
However, one county, Armstrong, has adopted a policy just as effective.
New ballots sent
In that county, only three ballots so far have been returned without the proper affidavits. They were voided, but new ballots were sent to these voters with instructions for proper execution.
Most of the counties are simply laying aside the questionable ballots until the Board of County Commissioners, which will sit as an election board on the military vote canvass, adopts a ruling on whether or not these ballots are valid.
Of 111,324 military ballots mailed out in 11 Western Pennsylvania counties, 20,919, or 19 percent, have been returned to date.
From Fayette County, it was reported that as many as 500 military ballots may be voided on technical grounds.
Wait for decision
Election officials in Beaver and Westmoreland counties reported they are waiting for a decision, either from the State Elections Bureau, or other authorities, before determining what to do with ballots which do not conform strictly to the technical requirements.
Most of the counties, however, are seeking new addressed for ballots which have been returned undelivered. The new addresses, in most cases, are being solicited from the families. In two counties, Fayette and Somerset, the Civilian Defense organizations, which originally solicited the names and addresses, have been asked to dig up corrected addresses.
Bobby-soxers swoon again; ‘Voice’ returns to Broadway
10,000 form line outside theater; ‘Frankie! Give us Frankie!’ they plead
…
Overseas holiday gifts to be accepted Monday
Washington (UP) –
Postmaster General Frank Walker today ordered the time limit for mailing Christmas packages to members of the Armed Forces overseas extended one day to the close of normal post office business hours on Monday, Oct. 16.
The previous deadline was midnight, Sunday, Oct. 15. Mr. Walker said the extension was made because in many small communities, post offices will be closed all day Sunday.
Step taken to speed casualty lists
Washington (UP) –
Secretary of War Stimson omitted from his press conference today the usual report of Army casualties because, he said, the system of compiling casualty totals is “being improved so as to give us more up-to-date figures and consequently a better picture of the situation.”
Mr. Stimson said the next of kin of the casualties would continue to be notified as soon as the names reach the War Department.
President to speak briefly tonight
Washington (UP) –
President Roosevelt will make a brief radio talk tonight in acceptance a four-freedoms award to be presented to him by the Italian-American Labor Council.
The award will be presented at a dinner in New York by Luigi Antonini, president of the council, and Mr. Roosevelt will accept by radio from Washington.
Mr. Roosevelt’s remarks, part of a program beginning at 8:15 p.m. ET, will go on the air at 8:25. Mr. Roosevelt will speak for only about four or five minutes, according to the White House.
WCAE will broadcast the program.
Paper drops ‘battle page’
Daily News cites libel suit fear
New York (UP) –
The New York Daily News announced today it had stopped publication of its “battle page” in which Republicans and Democratic organizations were given equal space and which was delivered free to 35 newspapers because of the possibility of “libel troubles” in “this hottest and bitterest campaign since 1928.”
The newspaper said it made its decision after receiving a letter from “a prominent Republican” that falsehoods were printed in a recent issue of the Democratic side of the battle page and a letter from a “prominent member of the CIO-PAC” saying he was libeled by the Republicans.
Low blows registered
With almost a month of the campaign left and “tempers rising on both sides,” the newspaper said, “some below-the-belt blows have already been registered and the probability is that more and more will be.”
The News said:
If the battle page should involve us in libel troubles, we don’t see how other papers carrying the battle page could escape being involved too.
“We are sorry to call it off, but it seems the wisest thing to do,” the newspaper concluded.
Fear called ‘horse laugh’
The Democratic National Committee issued a 1,000-word statement saying “Joseph Medill Patterson [publisher of The News] can dish it out but he can’t take it,” and describing his “professed fear of libel” as a “horse laugh” because “the trade knows the aggressive manner in which The News fights all libel threats.”
The committee’s statement said:
We sniffed a strong connection between the Patterson decision and the cartoon we ran the morning of the funeral of the page.
The cartoon showed Candidate Dewey standing firmly in the door concealing the Republican cellar gang from the electorate and one of that gang was Mr. Patterson’s cousin, Col. Robert R. McCormick of the arch-isolationist Chicago Tribune.
Half page printed
A statement from the Republicans was unavailable due to the absence of RNC Chairman Herbert Brownell.
The newspaper PM carried the Democratic half of the battle page in today’s edition, and centered the blank Republican column with a statement from the Republicans declaring their proposed column dealt with Columbus Day, which “we scrapped unfinished when we heard from The News.”