America at war! (1941–) – Part 5

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Editorial: Oddity on Okinawa

The bloody battle raging on Okinawa is not without its lighter moments and we suppose it is these humorous incidents that help make the going more bearable for our fighting men.

We’re thinking particularly of the Jap officer who charged down the slope of a hill toward the American positions, screaming “Banzai!” and brandishing his sword. Halfway down he glanced behind him, skidded to a halt and disappeared in the underbrush. It sees that the officer was engaged in an unpremeditated solo charge, his men deciding that discretion was the better part of valor and declining to take part in the assault on the well-entrenched Americans.

The whole episode reminds us of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance who, when faced with a belligerent foe, chanted: “When the foeman bares his steel, we uncomfortable feel, etc.”

3691

Heffernan: Looks like a Democratic scrap

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3692

Dodger skid doesn’t retard turnstiles

Crowd of 27,844 sends home attendance to 266,622 – becomes owls on road
By Harold C. Burr

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3693

Thunderhead, Son of Flicka, at Albee Thursday, with Zombies on Broadway

By Jane Corby

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That japanese officer.

1 Like
3695

The Pittsburgh Press (May 22, 1945)

Gracie Allen Reporting

By Gracie Allen

Just leave it to the merry little Japanese to cash in on the silver linings of their dark clouds. Radio Tokyo, the Japs’ leading humor factory, has just announced that Premier Suzuki is looking forward to a bumper crop of sweet potatoes as the result of his lawns being plowed up by our bombs. He forgot to mention that we’ve also built the fires to roast his sweet potatoes.

Well, I suppose now that our planes have plowed their land for them the Japs will expect our tanks to harvest the crops. And I don’t think they’ll be disappointed.

Of course, I don’t know how Suzuki’s bumper crop of sweet potatoes is going to hatch out, but I’ll wager that he has plenty of hot potatoes on his hands right now!

3696

Kärntner Nachrichten (May 23, 1945)

Wahrscheinlich im Juli Neuwahlen in England

Vor dem Ende der Koalitionsregierung

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Hitler verurteilte Göring zum Tode

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Teilweise Entlassung deutscher Kriegsgefangener

Eine Verfügung General Eisenhowers

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‚Wanderzirkus Schörner‘

Das Ende eines Generalfeldmarschalls von Hitlers Gnaden

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Demnächst die ersten Prozesse gegen Kriegsverbrecher

Ein Viermächte-Tribunal für die Hauptschuldigen

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Österreichische Zeitung (May 23, 1945)

Der Krieg in Pazifik

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Jugoslawische Antwort auf die anglo-amerikanische Note

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Freundschaftliche Begegnung

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3704

L’Aube (May 23, 1945)

La crise britannique

Après le vote du parti travailliste Churchill reste sur ses positions

Après la décision du congrès du Labour Party de repousser « l’ultimatum Churchill ». M. Attlee, chef du parti travailliste, avait adresse hier une lettre au premier ministre dans laquelle il soulignait qu’il n’était pas possible « de proroger le mandat du Parlement actuel élu depuis déjà dix ans », et condamnait le principe d’un referendum devant décider de la question.

M. Attlee affirmait également que le premier ministre, en faisant des objections contre le principe des élections en automne, cédait « à la pression du parti conservateur qui cherche à exploiter dans son propre intérêt les grands services que son chef a rendus au pays ».

M. Churchill a répondu aujourd’hui à la lettre de M. Attlee, mais n’a donne aucune indication quant à la date exacte des élections. Le premier ministre a souligné tout d’abord que le maintien du gouvernement actuel jusqu’en automne compromettrait « l’efficacité administrative du gouvernement à un moment critique et nuirait par l’incertitude et l’agitation politique qui se prolongent, à l’essor du pays et au passage de l’industrie de guerre à l’industrie de paix ».

« J’ai fait de mon mieux, ajoute M. Churchill, pour créer des conditions nous permettant de travailler ensemble. Il est étrange que vous consigniez tant d’injustes allégations dans une demande pressante de reporter les élections jusqu’à l’automne ».

Et M. Churchill termine sa lettre en repoussant l’idée qu’une élection tenue en juillet serait une élection hâtive.

Aucune information nouvelle n’est venue corroborer l’indication donnée par la BBC dans la soirée et selon laquelle M. Churchill présenterait aujourd’hui même la démission de son cabinet. Par ailleurs, le fait que M. Churchill ait cru bon de répondre immédiatement à M. Attlee parait être plus qu’un simple acte de courtoisie.

L’amitié franco-américaine sort renforcée des entrevues Truman-Bidault

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3705

En raison du typhus et de la typhoïde –
Des mesures de quarantaine sont appliquées à la hollande

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Le Dr. Tiso, führer slovaque est arrêté

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Une commission interalliée siègera à Flensburg

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U.S. Navy Department (May 23, 1945)

CINCPOA Communiqué No. 371

Two small groups of enemy aircraft attacked our forces on and around Okinawa during the evening of May 22 (East Longitude Date). One enemy plane was shot down and the remainder driven off without causing damage.

Continuing rains and heavy mud limited the movement of ground troops and armored vehicles in southern Okinawa on May 23. In these adverse conditions the 7th Infantry Division on our left flank expanded its positions south of Yonabaru capturing a hill south of Taira Town and another elevation west of Yonabaru after sharp fighting in which the 32nd and 184th Regiments led the attack. The 6th Marine Division on the right flank sent elements of the 4th Regiment of Marines across the Asato River about 1,000 yards from its mouth during the day under cover of field artillery and heavy Naval gunfire. In the area west of Conical Hill the 96th Infantry Division was meeting stiff resistance beating of one counterattack in which the 382nd Regiment killed about 160 of the enemy. The 77th Infantry Division was engaged throughout the day in attacking a range of hills south of Ishimmi and before the city of Shuri. In the 1st Marine Division sector, a counterattack by the enemy was repulsed.

Escort carrier aircraft of the U.S. Pacific Fleet bombed airfields and installations on Ishigaki and Miyako in the Sakishima group on May 22 and 23 setting one aircraft afire and strafing five others on the ground.

A search seaplane of Fleet Air Wing One heavily damaged a small cargo ship in the East China Sea on May 23.

Search Privateers and Liberators of FlAirWing 18 sank three small craft south of Tokyo and strafed radar and camp installations on Shikoku on May 22. On the following day, Venturas of this wing strafed barracks and shipping on and around Honshu and a search plane shot down one enemy fighter and sank a net tender and a small cargo ship off the Honshu coast.

Corsair and Hellcat fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing bombed targets in the Palaus on May 22 and Helldiver bombers of the same wing struck Yap on the same date. Planes of FlAirWing Two strafed targets in the Marshalls on May 21 and 22. On May 23, Thunderbolts of the 7th Army Air Force destroyed one aircraft on the ground and probably destroyed another in attacks on Truk.

White House Letter Accepting Resignation of Francis Biddle as Attorney General
May 23, 1945

Dear Francis:

In accepting your resignation, I desire to express my appreciation of the patriotic services which you have rendered to your country during the war and during the days when we were preparing for the war.

I shall always look back with pleasure upon my association with you while I was in the Senate as well as during the past months.

I hope that you will have continued happiness and success in your future work, and I trust that I may have the privilege of consulting you in the future whenever occasion arises.

I am making your resignation effective July 1, 1945.

Very sincerely yours,
HARRY S. TRUMAN

White House Letter Accepting Resignation of Frances Perkins as Secretary of Labor
May 23, 1945

Dear Frances:

I accept your resignation as Secretary of Labor with great regret and with deep appreciation for all of the untiring service which you have rendered to our country.

During your administration unsurpassed progress in position, influence and prestige has been made by American organized labor.

During this period, such far reaching legislation as the Fair Labor Standards Act, the National Labor Relations Act, and the Social Security Act have been enacted–carrying out the social philosophy you have so often expressed.

The rights of labor as a partner in the system of private enterprise in the United States have been more firmly established than ever before. There has been created a cooperative relationship between industry and labor in the United States which has been largely instrumental in turning out the weapons of war – weapons which brought about the unconditional surrender of the Axis powers in Europe, and will inevitably bring the same defeat to the Japanese.

You have certainly carried out the principle of the basic act creating your office – “to promote the welfare of the wage earners of the United States”.

I am grateful to you for the leadership and energy and hard work which you have shown in this difficult and important field of human relations during the past twelve years.

I should like to make your resignation effective July 1, 1945.

With kindest personal regards,
Very sincerely yours,
HARRY S. TRUMAN

White House Letter Accepting Resignation of Claude R. Wickard as Secretary of Agriculture
May 23, 1945

Dear Claude:

With great personal regret I am accepting your resignation as Secretary of Agriculture to take effect on the appointment and qualification of your successor.

You have served more than four years in that office. During that time the agricultural output of the United States reached unprecedented levels. Under your administration the farmers of the nation have performed miracles of production of foods and fibres which did so much to win the war in Europe and to place us on the road to victory in the Pacific.

It is a record from which, I am sure, you must derive much satisfaction and pride.

On behalf of our Government, I desire to thank you for your patriotic and devoted service.

I also wish to thank you for consenting to remain in government as the Administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration. The work of this agency means much for the comfort and efficiency of our rural dwellers. I am delighted that it will be in the hands of one who has so competently and tirelessly worked for their welfare.

As problems arise in the field of agriculture, I expect to call upon you for advice and assistance.

Very sincerely yours,
HARRY S. TRUMAN

White House Letter Accepting Resignation of Marvin Jones as War Food Administrator
May 23, 1945

Dear Marvin:

In view of your desire expressed to me last month to return to your place on the Court of Claims, I regretfully accept your resignation. I understand that the Chief Justice of the Court is now anxious that you resume your judicial work as soon as possible.

Let me express my own appreciation, and also the thanks of the people of the United States for the hard, conscientious and efficient work you have done as War Food Administrator.

It was a most difficult assignment. The needs of our armed forces, of our Allies, and of our own civilian population called for the highest degree of competence in food production, management and distribution. It is to the everlasting credit of the War Food Administration that even after supplying the great demands made upon us from all over the world, the American people as a whole not only did not go hungry but actually enjoyed a better diet than in the days before the war.

It is an accomplishment of which you can be very proud.

With best wishes for continued success and happiness in your work,
Very sincerely yours,
HARRY S. TRUMAN

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Brooklyn Eagle (May 23, 1945)

Churchill resigns but faces recall

Move held formal – general election expected on July 5
By Phil Ault

LONDON, England (UP) – Winston Churchill resigned as Prime Minister today but the King was expected to commission him immediately to form a new government.

Mr. Churchill’s resignation, submitted to King George VI, automatically disbanded the coalition government he formed in May 1940 and which he led through the depths of near-defeat to final victory in the European war.

The King probably will announce tonight the dissolution of Britain’s ten-year-old Parliament and set a general election for July 5.

A brief announcement from Mr. Churchill’s official residence at 10 Downing Street said he submitted his resignation as Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister of Defense to the King at noon today.

Regarded as formality

Mr. Churchill remained at Buckingham Palace with the King for 50 minutes.

The resignation was regarded largely as a formality to clear the way for a general election – Britain’s first in ten years – and for the appointment of a “caretaker” government to serve in the interim period under Mr. Churchill.

The new cabinet will exclude members of the Labour Party, which forced a showdown by rejecting Mr. Churchill’s plea that it remain in the coalition until Japan has been defeated.

Among the more prominent ministers who will be dropped will be Deputy Prime Minister Clement R. Attlee, Labour Minister Ernest Bevin, Home Secretary Herbert Morrison and First Lord of the Admiralty A. V. Alexander.

Retain some ministers

Non-party men such as Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir John Anderson, War Secretary Sir James Grigg and Supply Minister Sir Andrew Duncan probably will be retained, however.

Mr. Churchill probably will complete the interim government before Commons meets Tuesday, perhaps by this weekend.

He himself is leader of the Conservative Party, which holds a majority of the seats in Parliament.

Britain’s 10-year-old Parliament will be dissolved to make way for the general election three weeks after the king issues a formal notice that the present government has resigned.

Mr. Churchill drove from 10 Downing Street to Buckingham Palace in a closed automobile with his personal flag as Lord Warden of Cinque Ports flying from the radiator.

Took over 5 years

It was just a little more than five years ago that he was summoned by the king to the palace to form a new government to supplant that of Neville Chamberlain.

Then the German armies were invading Belgium and Holland and striking toward France. Within the next few weeks, they overran both Belgium and Holland and France surrendered.

The British Expeditionary Force escaped from Dunkirk, but Britain stood alone against Germany with only enough arms for a single division. Mr. Churchill rallied the empire behind the cry, “We shall not flag or fail,” and carried on to final victory in Europe and the Middle East.

Cheered leaving palace

By the time he emerged from the palace shortly before 1 a.m. today, a small crowd had gathered and cheered as his car passed through the gates.

At Blackpool, the Labour Party was putting into words its differences with the Conservative Party majority on British foreign policy, which, however, is expected to be a minor issue in the campaign compared with domestic questions.

Clement R. Attlee, Deputy Prime Minister in the coalition government and party leader, said British labor wanted a “world organization with the will and power to prevent aggression.”

He expressed confidence that the World Security Conference at San Francisco would get results and urged harmony with the United States and Russia.

Mr. Attlee drew cheers with a promise to prevent Germany and Japan from ever again trying to “destroy civilization.”

3709

Yanks gain mile, pierce Okinawa line

Japanese routed in first tank fight, lose key position
By William F. Tyree

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