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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 6, 1944)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1944 TEE JOURNAL, PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA PAGE ITVE Death Toll Of At Least Fifty On Sunken Boat Destroyer Sunk In Icy Waters of New York Lower Harbor Near Sandy Hook Reported Tell Allied Plane Success New York, Jan. 4. (UP) A death toll of at least 50 was feared today in the explosions which shattered and sank a United States destroyer in the icy waters of lower New York Eay off Sandy Hook, N. J., yester day. The navy said 163 members of the crew were rescued, and that 10S of them were injured, six seriously. The number of persons aboard was not disclosed, but in peacetime the normal complement of such a destroyer was 200. In wartime, how ever, the number is higher, but pending a complete check of records the navy said the exact complement could not be ascertained. It was es timated generally at 230. An official announcement from the Third Naval district last night said that "following established j naval practice the number of dead, casualty lists and other related data will be made public through the navy department at Washington." The navy gave no explanation of the blast, stating merely that "there was no indication of the cause." Fears that the death toll may be high were based on survivors' stor ies of seeing their comrades burned and hurled into the water when the first blast rocked the ship as she prepared to set out on a mission. As nearly as the rescued seamen, who were taken ashore by the coast guard, could make out, the blast killed all or most of the officers. The first explosion came a few minutes after most of the crew had left the forward mess, thus sparing the lives of many, who might have been killed when the blast wrecked the forward part of the ship. Allied Headquarters, Algiers, Jan. 4, (UP) The North African stra tegic air force flying 3,704 missions during 1943 destroyed 5,572 enemy planes at a cost of only 819 ol its planes. An announcement by allied head quarters said gunners and fighters shot down 3,146 enemy air craft during the year that an estimated 2,426 other enemy planes were des troyed, in allied bombing and straf ing runs. More than 74,000 tons of bombs were dropped in 70,000 sorties, not including those made by light and medium bombers used for close sup port of infantrymen. The air force destroyed 101 enemy ships during the year and seriously damaged 216 others. Shortage Of Much JAPS LOSE TWO CRUISERS AND Needed Essentials And Many Luxuries Housewife Finds Luxury Goods at High Prices But Needed Articles Hard to Find TWO DESTROYERS BY SINKINGS Catch Japs by Surprise With the U. S. Army, Saidor, New Guinea, Jan. 4. (UP) Infantrymen of the U. S. Sixth army, many of them veterans of the Buna cam paign, fanned out in patrols on all fronts today searching for Japanese who failed to oppose the American landing and capture of Saidor, im portant Japanese barge trans-shipment point on the supply route to Huon peninsula, and Rabaul yester day. The Americans, capturing the northern New Guinea coast point in what was described as a "mutual" operation, swiftly consolidated the beachhead driving a firm wedge be tween the enemy fighting the Aus tralians on the Huon peninsula and Japanese forces in the Mandang area, 55 miles to the northwest. The action caught the Japanese by surprise and drove many of them from their breakfast. At the close of the first day of fighting, the American troops held a beachhead five miles along the coast and two and one-half miles deep at the deep est point. ALLIED AIR FORCES IN HEAVY ATTACKS IN ITALY Perosa plant with bomb bursts while a smaller raiding force knocked out, at least temporarily, the key rail road lines radiating out of Turin. .Simultaneously American Mitchell bombers and RAF Baltimores lashed across the Adriatic to bomb and burn dock yards and rail installa tions in the Yugo Slav ports of Split and Sibenik. The Mitchells swept on 100 miles inland from Split and hammered German troop concentrations massing in the Prije dor area. Hard hitting attack bombers and fighter bombers lashed out against German truck convoys and supply trains still stalled in the snowbound mountain passes behind the central fighting front, and other raiding formations struck above Rome at the port of Civitavecchia. Allied Headquarters, Algiers, Jan. j 4. (UP) Mediterranean-based al lied bombing fleets swung back to the attack yesterday with a series of smashing daylight blows against axis targets from Yugo Slavia to the industrial heart of Italy, while Brit ish Eighth army forces ripped deep er into the German winter line along the Adriatic coast, a communique announced today. Powerful formations of Flying Fortresses spearheaded the blazing aerial offensive, striking a terrible blow at the great Villar Perosa Ball bearing Works in the Turin area and the rail yards at Turin itself. In the first major blow by the U. 5. loth air forces-heaviest since the Dec. 20th attack on Sofia- two waves of Fortresses blanketed the Villar Washington, Jan. 4. (UP) The American housewife is unhappy and for good reason, the American Home Economics Association said today. When she goes to the stores, she finds too many luxury items and too few of the daily necessities. And the essential items that she does find are high and poor in quality. The association presented this housewife's bill of particulars today on the basis of a nationwide survey by its state members. The study was undertaken after the Twin City Homemaker Association represent ing St. raul-Minneapolis members urged organized action. It showed growing shortages of essential goods, particularly of in fant wear and clothing for children through the age of 15, and an in creasing amount of poorer grade merchandise on store shelves. Mosts children's clothing now on sale the association said, is of such poor quality and workmanship that it does not wear. As for yardgoods, it's "so shoddy that it doesn't pay to spend the time sewing it up for youngsters." A New Mexico housewife couldn't find baby and children's garments and was especially exasperated by a shortage of diapers. Yet if she wanted cotton rugs which she didn't there were plenty to be had. "Why don't they make clothing instead of so many cotton rugs?" she asked. The association popped her question into the report pre sumably in the hope that the OPA, WPB and other appropriate federa agencies would take note. "Reports from every section tell about the same story," the report said. "Over and over, women point ed out the economic wastage of la bor and fibers when mills produce shoddy yard goods and clothes of such poor workmanship and mater ials that they stand few . launder ings.. , From Minnesota, a mother report ed that she was unable to find size 12 pajamas for her 11-year-old son. She had to buy aize-lS .After one washing, "The sleeves are just be low the elbow and the rest in pro portion." she declared. In North Dakota, a country ex tension agent said luxury items were in abundance. But, he challenged, just try to find warm underwear, coats and other heavy clothing need ed for the rigorous North Dakota winters. Advanced Allied Headquarters, New Guinea, Jan. 4. (UP) A new Japanese attempt to reinforce their dwindling naval strength in the southwest Pacific has been smashed with the blasting of two cruisers and two destroyers at Kavieng by Ameri can carrier-based planes, it was re vealed today. Both cruisers were hit heavily and set afire by bombs and torpedoes, and one of the two destroyers also was damaged severely. The other destroyer was believed to have suf fered minor damage. The four warships probably were enroute from Truk, Japan's "Pearl Harbor," to help counter new Ameri can offensive blows that have in cluded three amphibious landings in New Britain and New Guinea in IS days. American ground forces extended both ot their main invasion beach heads. Sixth army forces on New Guinea securing their final objec tives at Saidor, 55 miles southeast or Madang, and marines penetrating the New Britain jungles to a depth of four miles west of Cape Glouces ter. Kavieng, at the northern tip of New Ireland 150 miles above Rabaul, was attacked iiy dive and torpedo bombers from one of more American aircraft carriers Saturday soon after the Japanese cruisers and destroy ers had entered the harbor. One cruiser was hit with three bombs and at least one torpedo, and the second was hit by two bombs" and a torpedo. Both were left blazing fiercely. One of the two destroyers was hit by a 1,000-pound bomb, but damage to the other was not detailed. Thirty enemy fighters attempted to intercept the raiders, and 11 to 15 fo the Japanese planes were shot down. A Japanese bomber and fight er on reconnaissance were shot down by the carrier task force later. Land-based medium bombers fol lowed up the daylight attack with a night raid on Kavieng that touch ed off explosions and fires at the airdrome, dispersal, and supply areas. Four-engined Liberators raided Lakunai airdrome, Rabaul, starting fires, and with their escorting fight ers shot down 18 out of 80 enemy fighters wheih sought ineffectively to break up the allied formations Other heavy and attack planes supported Sixth army elements which captured Saidor; Japanese barge base on New Guinea Sunday by dropping 126 tons of bombs on enemy coastal installations on either side of the American beachhead Here, too, fires were started. Aleutian Based Planes In Mission Over Kurile Isles Strike at Japanese Naval Base at Paramushiru, 1,300 Miles North of Mainland MRS. EDGAR HOWARD DIES Columbus, Nebr, Jan. . (UP) Mrs. Edgar Howard, wife of the edi tor of the Columbus Telegram, died early today of heart complications resulting from flu and pneumonia contracted Christmas day. Mrs. Howard, a resident of Colum bus for more than 40 years, was born at Bellevue, Nebraska. In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son; two daughters, five grandchildren,' and one great grandson. Funeral , services will be held Friday. Order New Boats Americans Blast Marshall Washington, Jan. 4. (UP) Sec retary of the Navy Frank Knox said today that American airmen are continuing to "soften up"" the Mars-hall Islands, indicating that pre parations are being made for invas ion of those Japanese held islands. He also told news men that the enemy has been strictly on the de fensive throughout the South Pacif ic areas. The Japanese air arm he added, seems particularly weak and "such action as it has taken has been defensive." It was the first time that Knox has used the phrase "soften up" in connection with the sustained aerial blows against the enemy's bases in the Marshalls a phrase usually con nected with pre-invasion operations. "We've put the enemy on the de fensive throughout the region" Knox said. "American plane losses have been very slight," he said. No Statement on Polish Relations Conventions at Chicago Washington, Jan. 4. (UP) Sec retary of State Cordell Hull said to day in response to news conference Questions there is nothing new that can be said about the Polish-Russian situation now that red troops have driven across the border into Old Poland. He said, however, that he is giving careful attention, at such times and to such an extent as is feasible and practical, to all matters arising in connection with the allies. Such a study, he said, is being made in the friendliest spirit. Hull referred to the Polish Em bassy nere or to the t'olisn govern ment in London questions as to the possibility that Poles might offer re sistance to Russian troops. Polish ambassador Jan Ciechan owski conferred earlier with Hull. The ambassador did not discuss the nature of the conference afterward, but said his talk with Hull had been satisfactory. Chicago, Jan. 4. (UP) Business and political leaders met today to formulate plans for bringing both the republican and democratic na tional conventions to Chicago. Civic leaders said they would form a committee to raise $150,000 to back the city's bid, $75,000 for each convention. Officials of the Chicago Association of Commerce said the committee must act speedily because the national republican com mittee meets here Menday to select a convention site. The democratic national commit tee will select a site at its annual meeting at Washington. Jan. 21. Washington, Jan. 4. (UP) Sec retary of the Navy Frank Knox an nounced today that the navy has ordered 20 Mars cargo flying boats the type which recently set new records for cargo transportation and over-water flight. The huge flying boats will be placed in service with the naval air transport service as they are com pleted by the Glenn L. Martin Com pany of Baltimore, Mr. Knox said it possibly would be a year before the first plane is completed. Soiled Panties - Killed Chicago, an. 4. (UP) Mrs. Mil dred Merkel, 20, told police that she struck her 2-year-old son on the head with an iron stove poker be cause the child soiled his panties. The chili was dead when police took him to the county hospital. Mrs Merkel first said the child, Claire, fell and hit her head on the bed room door. She called the family doctor who summoned police. The mother admitted to acting police captain Thomas Sheridan that she struck her son with the stove poker. Cars Have Smash Saturday Post-Nuptial Shower On Saturday evening on highway No. 75, near the filling station at Chicago avenue and the Louisville road occurred a car smashup. The car of Fred Herbster, driven by him self, with Louis Baumgart as : passenger, was coming north on the highway and at the same time a car belonging to Henry Jasper and driv en by Jack Dysart, of Omaha, was coming south. The two cars were badly damaged by the impact and Mr Herbster was the most severely in jured, sustaining a badly bruised chest, where he was caught by the steering wheel, and also a flesh wound on the head. Sunday afternoon a post-nuptial shower honoring Mrs. Ellis Schlichtemeier was held at the home of Miss Virginia Trively. Prize winners in contests were Mrs. Thomas Grosshans, Mrs. Charl es Walden and Mrs. Ellis Schlichte meier. After the games the bride opened the presents found beneath the Christmas tree. Refreshments were served by Mrs. Ed Trively and Virginia to bring to conclusion a delightful afternoon. Called to New Post Major Raymond J. Larson, Camp Carson, Colorado, who has been the provost marshal, cf the camp, has been given a new assignment by the government. He was called to Denver on Tuesday, December 2Sth, and will serve as the liaison officer for the Denver and Rio Grande railroad under the government supervision. Old Friends Meet Headquarters, 11th U. S. Air Forces, Alaska, Jan. 4. (UP) Aleutian-based army planes, in the first army combat mission against the Kurile Islands since last Sept. 11, struck at Japan's big naval base at Paramushiru, 1,300 miles north east of Takho, and Shimshu on Dec. 31. The 11th air force announced the raid was carried out by four army Catalina .flying boats. It was the first disclosure of a raid on the twin Japanese bases. (A navy communique issued at Washington said "On Dec. 31, a group of army bombers bombed Paramushiru. Results were not ob served. All our planes returned safely.) The raid, the first in which the army had sent Catalinas against the Kurile Islands, brought the bombers ever their targets around midnight. Erratic anti-aircraft fire burst around the planes as the bombard iers made runs on the army stag ing area at Paramushiru and on naval installations on Shimshu Is land, Just across a narrow strait. One Japanese night fighter, the first reported in north Pacific act ion, challenged the four Catalinas, but failed to inflict any damage. The Louisville Courier of the past week has a very interesting letter that was written by Sgt. Paul In grim, of Louisville, to his sister, Mrs. Gail Meisinger. Because of its local interest and the fact that Paul Barker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Barker of this city is a participant, the Journal reprints the letter. Dear Sis: Home From Michigan Is Critically 111 Pvt. Raphael Toman, son of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Toman, of this city, arrived home Sunday evening via Omaha, to spend the week here with his parents and many old time friends. Pvt. Toman is taking engin cring work at the Michigan State Teachers college at Lansing, Mich. Pvt. Toman when called into service from the University of Nebraska, was first assigned to the medical training detachment at Camp Grant, Illinois, later going to the special training course at the Michigan school. Elect Trustees The annual election of the trus tees for the Holy Rosary church was held Sunday, January 2, 1944. The selection was made by ballot, the following being elected: Frank Pro haska, Fred Uhlik. The number of votes received by each candidate will be announced during the service next Sunday, January 9th. Hearing on Claims In the county court on Monday Judge Paul E. Fauquet was engaged in hearing claims in the estate of Isabel Wiles, deceased. The hearing required the great part of the day. Mrs. Hamilton Mark of Santa Monica, Calif., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Donat, has been seri ously ill at St. John's hospital in Santa Monica, following a major operation. She was able to leave the hospital and after being home five days complications set in. She had to be rushed back to the hospital in an ambulance and a second emergen cy operation had to be performed, which weakened her condition con siderably. Receiving the best of medical care brought her through her ordeal and she, was able to spend Xmas day with her family and is now feeling much stronger. Troop No. 366 Meets Scout Troop 366 met at the Methodist church for the first meeting of the new year, on Monday night. There were three candidates ad mitted to the troop. They were Eu gene Shoebotham, Eugene Smith, and Reginald Smith. Bill Potter was the master of ceremonies of the initiation. The guests of the evening were the parents of the boys. Next Monday the scout meeting will be held at the Iowa-Nebraska Power Company, to work on our ex hibit for Boy Scout week in Febru ary. Both patrols will meet. All members are urged to attend. Bob Tritsch, Scribe Scout News Congratulations on that girl of yours. She will no doubt be old enough for school by the time I get around to seeing her but you can't tell about that either, you will have to send me some snapshots of her later on. How is Dad standing up under the strain of being a Grand pop. I can see that she can scarcely help being spoiled. I imagine Myrna is quite thrilled. I have just returned from a leave. I met Paul Barker in a town about half way between our camps and we had a two day bull session. We had Thanksgiving dinner to gether in one of the Red Cross clubs over here and all in all I enjoyed my leave immensely. We visited Stratford-on-Avon, and saw Shakes peare's home, Ann Hathaway's cot tage and many other spots of his toric interest there. It most certainly is a quaint old town. We saw letters dated 1465, some time before Ameri ca was even discovered. The house where he was born was just as it had been when he was living there. The old boy who took us through explained his various plays and why, it was believed, he had written them, where he had gotten his base for the plays, etc. A girl from Michigan, with the Red Cross in London, accompanied us on our tour and it was worth the time we spent just watching her. She simply beamed about everything. Barker and I are planning on an other leave in January if it is pos sible. We intend to spend it in Glas gow and Edinburgh. We would like to include Group and Kahler if either cf them can get away. I don't know where Croup is as yet, but he may be quite near me. I wish Mom would send me his address. Barker has been over here over a year now. He came over a private and is a SSgt. now. Well so long for now. Love, PAUL Boy Scout Troop No. 367 met last night at 7:30 P. M. There were nine scouts and the scoutmaster present. We said the twelve scout laws, pledged our allegiance to the scout laws, and tied some scout knots. We then played games until about 10:00 P. M., and went home. Next week we are going to com mence using our new routine sched ule plan. This plan means that our meting will be run according to the time of the evening. We will do one scheduled thing at a time, and when that time is up, we will do some thing else. Bernard Dow, Scribe Priest to Secure Horse Father J. R. Sinkula is planning on doing his visiting and business trips to the business section of the city, via horseback in the future, he states to the Journal. He has com municated with Bing Crosby noted radio and stage star, also Hollywood race horse owner. Mr. Crosby has of fered to donate to the priest one of his trotters, so be prepared for the sight of the minister astride one of the California horses. Aged Lady Quite 111 The condition of Mrs. Mary Wolff, 87, of Cedar Creek, is report ed as very grave at this time, the patient suffering from an attack of pneumonia that has made the out come of her case a matter of grave dcubt. The members of the family from Omaha, Glenwood and this city have been at the bedside of the mother. Monsignor George Agius of this city was at Cedar Creek today to give the last sacraments of the Catholic church. Taken to Hospital Have Family Party Announce Red Victory Buy War Stamps and Bonds London, Jan. 4. (UP) Premier Josef Stalin announced in an order of the day today that the red army has captured the Ukrainian highway junction of Belaya Tserkov, 50 miles south of Kiev. Capture of the junction town, which had been virtually encircled for some time by the southern wing of General Nikolai Vatutin's first Ukrainian army, posed a new threat to German railway lines inside the Dnieper bend. The town lies astride the north south railway Una linking Ger many's armies ia the bead. Raise Ban on Razors Washington, Jan. 4. (UP) The War Production board today remov ed all restrictions on the manufac ture of razors and razor blades, which were among the first items to feel the pinch of the war. Production will be limited hence forth only by the amount of mater ials available, WPB said. START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT, WITH ANEW SUIT OR OVERCOAT YOU CAN BUY ONE NOW TO BETTER ADVANTAGE THAN YOU PROBABLY CAN ANY OTHER MONTH THIS YEAR. SUITS $25 to $37 OVERCOATS $20 to $30 IT COSTS YOU NOTHING TO LOOK President Has Cold Washington, Jan. 4. (UP)- President Roosevelt's regular Tues day afternoon press and radio con ference was cancelled today because of his cold. The home of Mr. and Mrs. William Kief, in the south rart of the city, has been the scene of a very pleas ant family gathering that has ter minated with the New Year. Mrs. Leona Noell, of Holton, Kansas, Pvt. Edgar Kief, now located in the arm ed service in Kansas, Mr. and Mrs. James Huddleston and daughter, and Amelia Kief, of Omaha, were here for the occasion. William Eastridge, of Murray, this morning was the victim of an auto accident south of this city, near the Naeve cafe, on highway No. 75. The car that Mr. Eastridge was driving. was overturned on the slick road and he was apparently greatly shocked and possibly suffered other injuries. The man was given first aid by Dr. R. P. Westover, and at once taken in the Caldwell ambu lance to the Methodist hospital in Omaha for treatment. Secure a Divorce An Appreciation I wish to thank the kind neigh bors, friends and relatives for the many 'cards, letters, flowers and calls during my stay at the hospital. These are the things that helped to make my recovery so soon. Mrs. Raymond Haith Returning to Nebraska First Lieutenant James F. Begley, who has been in the armed service at Fort Knox, Kentucky, states in a letter that Mrs. Begley who has been with him, at the army pest, is ex pecting to return to Nebraska. Lieu tentant Begley is with the U. S. air corps- Judge W. W. Wilson wound up the year 1943 at Nebraska City by granting a divorce asked by Frank B. Furlong, Auburn, U. S. Engineers employe, from Mildred Furlong, of Omaha. The parties were married at l'lattsmouth. April 8, 1938 and sep arated on April 5, 1943. The age of Furlong is given at 41 and the wife as 31. Road Condition Bad This morning Sheriff Joe Mrasek was called out to highway No. 75 to investigate a small wreck that oc curred when the slick road condi tions caused the small truck used in delivering, operated by Everett El liott of Auburn, ran into the rear of the trucw of the L. A. Seefus truck driven by Donald Harry Wissink, of Nebrasak City. Lincoln Guests Here Prof, and Mrs. Oscar Bennett of Lincoln, were guests here Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. T. Porter Bennett. Prof. Bennett is a member ot ths faculty ot the Wesleyan university.