Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989, July 28, 1944, Image 1

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Medford mail tribune., July 28, 1944, Page 1, Image 1

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Newspaper Page Textr Yankees Close Ring Around Nazi Troops In Coutances Area London. July 28 (U.R) The historic Polish fortress city of Brest Litovsk and the twin citadels of Prxemysl and Jaioslaw In lower Poland have fallen to the red army In new triumphs... boosting to nine its string of big German defense bases cap tured In two days, Moscow announced tonight. By United Press American forces in Normandy herded the remnants of seven German divisions towards the highway bottleneck of Coutances near the west coast today, while on the eastern front the rout of the Germans from the Baltic to the Carpathians grew with the laii or crest Litovsk, admitted by the Nazi high command. The Americans extended their Normandy break-through to a J, depth of 15 miles between St. Lo and Coutances. The Germans were in general retreat in most sectors of the 40 mlle American half of the front. The seven divisions of the 84th German army corps, about half of the Nazis facing the Americans, were in almost panicky withdrawal from the Periers-Lessay area above Coutances, putting up little more than rear guard resistance. Nazis' Escape Chance Dwindles The Germans pulled hastily out of Periers and Lessay to avoid being cut off by the Americans driving towards that town from the east, but the latter were approaching so rapidly that their chance of getting out intact dwindled hourly. Among the threatened units were the 2nd and 17th elite arm ored divisions, prized by Adolf Hitler as among the best in the SS corps. At the eastern end of the front around Caen the stalemate con tinued, with the British and Canadians holding firmly against re peated German counterattacks. Both the American and British armies were well supported by fighters, fighter bombers, and dive bombers which were breaking up German formations and causing much damage to tanks and vehicles. German losses in the Ameri can sector were particularly heavy. Black Friday on Red Front On the Russian front the red armies appeared likely to add a German black Friday to yesterday's black Thursday, on which . the Russians scored the biggest single day's victories of the war with the capture of six of the strongest remaining enemy bastions. The Germans reeled back under a succession of blows. To the north, one army cut the main escape routes of some 200,000 to 300, 000 enemy troops in the Baltic states with the capture of the Lith uanian communications hub of Siouliai, on the railway from Riga to Koenigsberg, and also took Daugavpils (Dvinsk) in Latvia. An other army took the Latvian railway junction of Rezekne; a third captured Bialystok, 102 miles northeast of Warsaw, and a fourth occupied Lwow and Stanislawow, on the approaches to Czecho slovakia. Today Russian forces were within 30 miles of Warsaw after the capture of Garvolin and were sweeping ahead at a pace that promised to carry the outer defenses of the Polish capital within a . few days, A Stockholm report said the Germans were preparing to evacuate industrial plants from Warsaw In advance of a siege or of withdrawal from the city. Last Deep Salient Wiped Out The loss of Brest Litovsk, 115 miles east of Warsaw, wipes out the last deep salient still held by the Germans on what was once their Bug river line. The city had been almost surrounded and there was no indication in the German announcement of how much of its garrison had managed to escape. The Berlin radio also reported fighting had broken out at Przemysl, 60 miles west of Lwow, Indicating that the Russians may have entered that city, which previously was under attack from three sides. ' On the Italian front, the British Eighth army was within eight miles or less of Florence, and a German communique said an of fensive had been opened on a wide front below the city. The allies were advancing slowly through strong defenses, strongly held. At the western end of the battle line the American Fifth army moved into position for an assault on Pisa. There was a heavy ex change of artillery fire between the opposing forces, but the American shells were directed at the German positions In the hills north of Pisa and there was no indication that the city of the lean ing tower itself was under fire. American Bombers Busy In the air war, an American fleet of nearly 2,000 heavy bomb ers and fighters struck deep Into central Germany and radio Berlin reported the aircraft and chemical centers of Dessau, Halle and Merseburg were attacked. During the night British heavy bombers hit the Industrial and rail center of Stuttgart again and others from Italy bombed the Romanian oil center of Ploesti. Other targets In Germany also were attacked, as were the flying bomb installations in France. Robot bombs continued falling on London and southern England today. 1,400 MORE QUIT By United Press An additional strike was added to the American scene to day when 1,400 employes pro ducing Pratt-Whitncy aircraft engines at Detroit's Chevrolet gear and axle division plant walked out protesting the insti tution of a production "speed up," bringing the total of Idle war production workers to ap proximately 12.000. Also on strike at Detroit were 142 sheet metal .workers at the main Dodge plant of Chrysler Corp., who walked out in pro test over disciplinary action taken against a shop steward. The Hotel Statler strike at Detroit entered its eighth day with the 700 members of 12 AFL unions adamant in their refusal to return to work after war labor board and union nego tiations failed to settle a wage dispute. Union officials hinted the strike might spread to other large hotels. SIDE GLANCES By TRIBUNE REPORTERS Erlene Norberg expressing grave concern for the welfare of two wrestlers exchanging savage blows, and declaring their varied facial expressions "interesting scientific studies in human psy chology." Emma Bigolow and Nettie Fry trying to locate a certain cap tain Just returned home from Overseas. Louie Older demonstrating for a large gathering the proper tech niitHI Ql h Australian Crawl, . A Headquarters, 11th AAF, Alas ka, July 28. (U.PJ "Captain" Henry E. Fleischer, New Albany, Ind., learned today that he had been a major for 20 months with out knowing it. The promotion was granted In November, 1942, just as Fleis cher hurriedly left the states for the Aleutian area and the orders never reached him. The 11th AAF decided last week he had been a captain long enough and wired Washington for information. That uncover ed his mistake and today his sec retary, Grace Calhoun of Holly wood, Cal., pinned on the gold oak leaves to bring his uniform up to date. Eighty per cent of all plastics produced are for war purposes. Dewey Whacks Hamilton Fish For Injecting Racial Issue Albany, N. Y., July 28 U.R) Asserting that "anyone who Injects a racial or religious Issue into political campaign is guilty of a disgraceful, un American act," Gov. Thomas E. Dewey, republican presidential nominee, today repudiated the candidacy of Rep. Hamilton Fish, R., N. Y. Dewey's statement, which was read to newspapermen by his executive assistant, James C. Hagarty, was prompted by an Interview with Fish printed in a New York City newspaper. The interview, Hagerty said, appeared in the New York Post attd it Quoted fU w mw MEDFORUim. United Press Thirty-ninth Year ill.' 1 1 mm n.1 mw,.,,n.w? Msesw wibwwk "' 1 ' '"' 1 "" ' 1 , (Acme T elf photo) Gen. Dwlght D. Eisenhower has a friendly slap on the shoulder for Ma. Gen. Joseph L. Col lins. American Seventh Corps commander in Normandy, after "Ike" had added an Oak Leaf Clus ter to the Distinguished Service Medal already held by Gen. Collins. Looking on are Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradlev (left) and Mai. Gen. Leonard T. Gerow, American Fifth Corps commander, who received same awards. Photo by Bert Brandt, NEA-Acme photographer TO EYE HE- T Portland, Ore., July 28 (U.R) Home to feel the pulse of Oregon public opinion, Republican United States Senator Guy Cor don, said today he was deter mined to find out why trucks, busses and freight trucks were stalled on highways because of lack of rubber. Cordon arrived In Portland by plane yesterday after stopping in Arizona and California for three days. He conferred immediately with a lumber authority on the critical truck tire situation. The- senator appointed to fill out the term of the late Senator Charles L. McNary, said he was determined to get the true pic ture of conditions on the Pacific coast and what has been done by government agencies. He was ad vised that several trucks had been abandoned In Portland and other points in Oregon because they could not obtain the neces sary tires and that one Interstate Trucking company vehicle was stranded with airplane parts and materials. Cordon will remain In Port land until Sunday, then will go to his home in Clackamas to spend a few days before begin ning his swing around the state. 22 Die in FallZf Ambulance Plane London, July 28 (U.P.) Twenty-two persons aboard a troop-carrying ambulance plane en route to the United States were killed last night when the aircraft crashed Into a cliff near the Mull-of-Galloway in Scot land, the Ninth Air Force an nounced today. There were no survivors. After striking the cliff the plane crashed to the rocks be low and burned. The victims included wounded American soldiers and one U. S. army nurse. The wounded were be ing returned home from Nor mandy battlefields. TO BERLIN By United Press The shortest distances to Berlin from advanced Allied lines today: Russia 343 miles. " Italy 607 miles. France 623 miles. that "Jews are for President Roosevelt and the New Deal. "Two years ago, I publicly opposed the nomination and election of Congressman Fish," Dewey said. "The statements attributed to him confirm my Judgment expressed at that time. Anyone who Injects a racial or religious issue into a politi cal campaign is guilty of a dis graceful un-American act. I have always fought that kind of thing all my life and always will, regardless of partisan con siderations. "I never accepted the sup port of any such individual and I aever iliali" Full Leased Wire Pat on the Back From Gsn. Eisenhower BASEBALL National R. H. E. Chicago 4 9 1 Brooklyn 17 1 Chlpman and Williams; Davis and Bragan. IS OUT OF BOUNDS II L Sacramento, July 28 U.P. City authorities and Lt. Col. Okwles Steele of San Francisco, Western' Defense Command northern sector provost marshal, were to meet today to discuss a Wednesday night street brawl be tween navy enlisted men and civilians which resulted In the wounding of a sailor by a mili tary policeman. Meanwhile, police reported quiet reigned Inst night. Officers as well as enlisted men are subject to a 10 p. m. curfew. The navy has ordered Sacramento "out of bounds" and nearby army posts are not is suing leave passes to men under the grade of staff sergeant. Charles R. Rcdifer, sailor, was wounded by a bullet which Le roy Clark, the MP, said was dis charged accidentally whep he scuffled with the brawling sail ors. Rcdifer was apparently a by stander, not Involved in the melee. Polio Precaution Urged on Parents To Check Spread Washington, July 28 (U.R) Health authorities sought today to check an "alarming spread" of infantile paralysis by enlist ing parents in a four-point pro gram to protect children from the crippling disease. Until the end of the so-called polio season in late September, officials of the U. S. Public Health Service and representa tives of various medical asso ciations advised, parents should take these precautions: 1. Make constant checks for headaches, fever, nausea, sore ness of the throat, and stiffness of the neck. If any of these symptoms arise, call a physician immediately and arrange for hospitalization if possible. 2. Allow children to travel as little as possible; keep them off buses. 3. Avoid crowds. 4. Keep them away from swimming pools unless It can be determined that contacts there or In camps are no greater than normal contacts at home. Fear Five Trapped By Mine Explosion Ration. N. M July 28 (U.R) Officials of a mine near here said today that five men might possibly be trapped, following an explosion at noon in a small section of the mine. A full crew nearby escaped from the mine. Immediate details of the blast, which Is being investi gated, were not known. The army ordnance "wasp wagon," newest antl - Blrcraft weapon, has a cluster of four SOcnIibcr machine guns mount ed atop haU-tncJk, MEDFORD, OREGON, FRIDAY, JULY 28, 1944. for War Picture Pool. JAPANESE DENY B-29 CREWMEN By United Press Sadao Iguchi, spokesman for the Japanese information board, "flatly denied" today that any members of the crews of Ameri can B-29 superfortresses had been executed after being shot down and captured, a Japanese Domcl agency dispatch said. The dispatch, recorded by'l FCC monitors, said Iguchi made the denial in commenting on an American Inquiry, filed through the Swiss legation in Tokyo to the Japanese foreign office, re garding a Singapore broadcast which purportedly said Ameri can airmen who raided Kyushu had been put to death. Iguehl attributed the Inquiry to a "twisted interpretation" of a Singapore broadcast which he quoted as saying in effect that 'the raiding B-29 bombers, by being 6hot down out of the skies of Japan, had thus come with a one-way ticket to hell." Domcl said Iguchi also pointed out that FCC monitors had re ported that reception was not good on that day "and only a few excerpts in English were In telligible." SQUABBLE BASIS Washington, July 28 (U.R) The capital's latest Interagency squabble the fight for ration ing authority between the Of fice of Price Administration and the War Food Administration simmered on today with the OPA apparently holding a mo mentary advantage. The dispute, which may eventually have to be settled by War Mobllizcr James F. Byrnes, began lost week when the WFA ordered OPA to re move point values on commer cial and utility grades of beef on Aug. 1 and to restore point values to pork loins and hams, now ration free. The OPA, Jealous of its authority to set point values, balked on grounds ' the WFA order would hinder the moat rationing program. A long scries of interagency consultations, In which stabili zation director Fred W. Vinson took part, resulted yesterday in a "compromise" stipuatlng that July ration points would con tinue until Aug. 13. New point schedules usually are effective the first Sunday of each month. 21 AXIS SUPPLY SHIPS SUNK BY BRITISH SUBS London, July 28 (U.R) Brit I s h submarines, intensifying operations against Japanese ship ping in far eastern waters, re cently destroyed 21 supply ships, Including two medium sized ves sels and a small tanker, the ad miralty announced today. The two medium sized vessels were hit by torpedoes, one near Port Blair and the other In the vicinity of Cape Nicobar, the ad miralty said. The tanker was in tercepted off the coast of Suma tra near Sabang and was at tacked by gunfire, the admiralty reported. Sq ill Hits 10 f VESSELS o- U 10 Task Force Strike's Western Carolines; Mop-up Con tinues on Guam, Tinian. Pearl Harbor, July 28 U.R) The emperor's garrison on Guam, fighting desperately to deny the use of the Island to United States forces, lost an es timated 2,000 killed in a bloody early morning battle Tuesday, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz an nounced today. The communique said the American lines remained gener ally unchanged Wednesday on the basis of the latest reports from the former U. S. naval sta tion 111 miles south of Saipan. By United Press A powerful .U. S. task force was revealed today to have struck In the western Carolines as invasion forces continued their conquests of Guam and Tinian and a major battle ap peared to be shaping up between American troops and trapped Japanese on British New Guinea, Adm. Chester Nlmltz revealed In a communique that carrier based planes hit enemy bases on Palau, Yap, and Ullthl Islands in the Carolines Monday and Tues day, sinking 10 vessels and shooting down five planes and destroying 21 on the ground. Five American planes were lost. Mop Up Tinian Marines controlled one-third of Tinian island after six days of fighting and were making a bid for quick completion of the conquest. The communique said American casualties through Thursday were 159 dead, 441 wounded, and 32 missing against 2,081) enemy dead and 62 cap tured. American Seabces and engi neers have landed on Tinian to repair tho captured 4,500 foot airstrip within bomber range of Tokyo, Nimltz said. On Guam, marines and army troops continued their battle of annihilation against Japanese forces trapped on Orote penin sula. A bitter and bloody battle was Impending on British New Guinea where the trapped Jap anese 18th army made another, unsuccessful attempt to break out of a trap but was believed preparing for a major counter assault. Women's Dogs Bark Louder Than Men's Is Federal Report Washington, July 28 -(U.R) Women's dogs bark louder than men's, the labor department dis closed today. As the labor department put It, somewhat more elegantly "Foot facts based on a clinical study of 1,000 cases, revealed that there were 15 women with foot trouble to every man with the same affliction." This is a "significant disclos ure" and proves, the department continued with unassailable logic, that there is a "much greater need among women than among men for foot care," Reno, Nov., July 28. (U.R) A young woman identified cither as Frances Humphreys or Mar Joric Humphrey was killed when a light training plane crashed In the rugged Thomas creek foot hill country near here today. Most Yanks in Europe to Go Home When Germany Falls, Says Senator Washington, July 28 (U.R) Sen. Elmer Thomas D , Okla., who falls to see' how Germany can last through to the end of this year," said today there al ready appear to be sufficient U. S. forces In the Pacific to permit most European war vet erans to return home Immedi ately after Germany falls. Thomas, who handles all war department appropriations In the senate and is normally well informed on military matters, took care to emphasize that his views were his own and not based on any recent official In formation. Nevertheless, he said, It Is his opinion that the war with Japan will not require the shifting of Tribune United Press Full Rogue River District Frances Farmer, Ex-Movie Star Jugged As Vag Antloch, Cal., July 28 (U.R) Blonde Frances Farmer, 30, for mer Hollywood movie star who recovered from a mental Illness three weeks ago, was arrested on a vagrancy charge today after she hitch-hiked 200 miles from Reno, Nev., and was fined $10 by a sympathetic Justice of the peace who paid the money himself. Miss Farmer, clad In blue jeans and a work shirt, declined an attorney and pleaded guilty during a brief appearance be fore Justice of the Peace Tom Milan who colncldentally op erates a restaurant. "She was broke and on her uppers," Chief of Police Al Xeroy said in explaining the ar rest. Justice Milan paid the $10 fine from his own pocket as soon as he had levied it. He sus pended a jail sentence, gave Miss Farmer a lunch at his res taurant, and then arranged to pay for a train ticket to Yering ton, Nev., where Miss Farmer's aunt, Mrs. Edith Castaing, lives. 21 STAGE OVERTURNS IN KLAMATH FALLS Klamath Falls, Ore., July 28 (U.R)-r- Twenty one persons many of them from Oregon and Washington today were receiv ing hospital treatment for in juries suffered when a south bound but overturned within the city limits here last night. Chief of Police Earl Heuvel said V. J. Wrigglesworth of Eu gene was driver of the Portland San Franclscd Greyhound bus, which overturned after skidding on wet streets. Others among the 37 passengers suffered injuries not requiring hospital treatment. Those receiving treatment In cluded: Marr B. Fabanlag, San Fran cisco, knee laceration, possible broken knee cap. Sam L. Fleming, San Fran cisco, shock. Will Langford, Paradise, Cal., head lacerations. Hugh Miller, Long Beach, Cal., head and back cuts, hip injury. Mrs. John Vaupcl, Denver, col larbone fracture, chest Injuries. Hal White, San Diego, Cal., ear cut. Mrs. W. I. Langford, Paradise, Cal., cuts, possible rib fracture. IN NURSE'S DEATH Tried by a general court mar tial at Camp White Thursday, 2nd Lt. Wilbur P. Stcnder, 25 of Hackcttstown, N. J., was acquit ted of a charge of manslaughter Involving the death In an auto- mobllo accident on Sept. 12, 1943 of Mrs. Adclla I .Wood, 36, of 363 Byxbce street, San Fran cisco, the camp public relations office announced today. Lt. Stender, who has been transferred to the Torncy Gen eral hospital at Palm Springs, Calif., with the medical corps administration, was driver of the car which struck a concrete gatepost In front of the E. H. Lamport homo a half mile north of Phoenix tho night of Sept. 12. Mrs. Wood, a registered nurse, died later in the Camp White hospital. any great force of land troops from the European to the Pa cific theaters after the defeat of Germany. "I think that we will have to maintain an army of occupation in Europe until the allied lead ers decide on a future policy for Germany and the occupied countries," Thomas said. "But, I -think It should be made up of those troops who wish to remain. I think that those who wish to volunteer for further action In the Japanese war also should be given that opportunity. But, I believe that those who want to come home also should be given that chance as soon as possible after Ger- i many is beaten." Leased Wire NO. 108. SHINGLES RIPPED BY SUDDEN GALE Twenty Fires Set In Rogus National Forest; Heavy Rain Follows Wind Stornt A wind and rain storm, cen. tered in the area between Rogua River and Savage Rapids dam and said to be the most severe of recent record in the county, last night took out power lines, ripped shingles from the roofs of houses and raised a wall of water in the Rogue River gorge above Grants Pass reported to be nearly seven feet high. Trees fell on both the Rogue River and Applegate power lines of the California-Oregon Power company, leaving the en tire Grants Pass and Rogua River areas without power for part of the night, and for a tima stopping traffic, on the Pacific highway. 20 Fires Set Twenty fires were set In tha Rogue River National forest by lightning which preceded tha main fury of the storm and wires of both the Pacific Tele phone and Telegraph company and of the forest service wera blown down. Main lines wera restored quickly but forest serv ice crews are still working on tho forest lines. The storm, climaxing a 14 day period of hot weather In the valley, began about 7 p. m. and lasted for some 40 minutes, terminating in a rain of cloud burst proportions. Medford and the Immediate vicinity suffered less heavily from the wind and rain. Power Interruptions were but momen tary and damage to gardens and crops was thought to be slight. At the office of the county agent it was said orchardlsts re ported some fruit blown from tho trees, but that damage was thought to be minor'. Weather bureau staff members reported wind of about 34 miles an hour recorded on the instruments there, and only a trace of rain. Crews Work All Night Officials of the California Oregon Power company in Med ford said that crews worked the entire night in the storm area. Power was restored to Grants Pass in the early morning hours and is gradually being restored today in the outlying districts. State and county road crews reported all roads open this morning. Thirteen of the forest fires were set In the Union Creek district, the majority being on the slopes of Elk Creek and Union Creek. In addition three were in the Applegate area, three In the Butte Foils district and one in the Lake o' Woods district. All were thought to bo small but reports were slow in coming In due to telephone line damage. At the weather bureau It was said this morning that no fur ther thunder storms were anticl. pated for this immediate area, but possibly some might occur this afternoon or evening In the higher mountain areas. Cooler weather was forecast. Temper atures have been 90 degrees or higher every day since July 14, P Ninth Air Force Headquor ters, Normandy, July 28. (U.R) About 60 Flying Fortresses and medium bombers dropped bombs short of their assigned area and killed and wounded American soldiers during yester day's record 3,000-plane bom bardment of enemy lines west of St. Lo, Ma, Gen. Lewis Brere ton acknowledged today. Brereton, commander of the 8th air force, told correspond ents that the American casual ties were much fewer than had been feared and added that "you are practically certain to have some shorts when you have that many planes In the air and re- suiting smoke obscures tha ground." In the case of one group of Havoc bombers, he said, the bombing release mechanism on the lead plane went wrong and bombs plummeted down 10.000 yards short of the scheduled area. Other planes in the group Immediately released their explosives.