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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (April 8, 1945)
Fall of Four German Ports, Isolation of Denmark Near British and Yankee Tanks Ram Wedge in Weser Line; Patton, Ninth Berlin Bound Paris, April 7 (U.R) Four Allied tank columns plunging as much as 35 miles across the north German plains, seemed at the point of capturing Hamburg, Bremen, Hannover and Brunswick today, their giant strides having carried them to within 133 miles of Berlin and to within 85 miles of isolating Denmark. The fall of those four large cities, with a total peacetime pop ulation of ".,696,000 appeared imminent as Lt. Gen. William H. Simpson's American 9th Army and Lt. Gen. Miles C. Dempsey's British 2nd drove toward and beyond them against slight and dis integrating opposition. One British column racing up the west side of the Weser was only 15 miles from Bremen and 54 miles from Hamburg. Another which crossed the Weser three days ago was ramming a deep wedge between Bremen and Hannover in what Berlin said was a drive for the Baltic, 85 miles to the northeast, to cut off Denmark. The Americans were 25 miles past the shattered Weser river line at a point a scant nine miles southeast of Hannover and 25 mies west of the great aircraft center of Brunswick. NINTH JOINS RACE The 9th Army Joined the race for Berlin with a vengeance and was only seven miles farther from the rubbled capital than Lt. Gen. George S. Patton's 3rd Army armor which was 126 miles to the southwest, on the Thuringian plains. The American 1st Army slashed across the Weser northeast of Kassel, putting four Allied armies over that river for the march on the Elbe, Berlin's last natural defense line in the west. A high 1st Army officer said that with the shattering of the Weser river line, the Germans had no chance of establishing a cohesive front in the west. He said the Elbe river, which flows within 45 miles of Berlin, was next on the Allied timetable and "the biggest thing now is to drive across Germany and join, hands with the Russians, cutting Germany in half." HIGH NAZI TRAPPED The 3rd Army tanks, which have driven 235 miles into Ger many, strengthened their flanks while infantry mopping up be hind encountered fierce resistance and lost ground at points east of Kassel. The 6th Armored Division, striking eight miles north of Muehlhausen, reached the Keula area, on the south slopes of the Harz mountains 62 miles west of Halle and 132 miles from Berlin. Field dispatches revealed that one of Germany's top military men Field Marshal Walther von Model, one-time Nazi commander in the west was trapped in the encircled Ruhr. He was at his post at the head of army group "B" comprising the 5th Panzer and 15th armies when Lt. Gen. Courtney H. Hodges' American 1st Army and the 9th snapped off the Ruhr. - Model presumably could escape by plane if he chose. T E Portland, Oregon, April 7 U.R) Ma. Denton Rees, Klam ath Falls dentist, who survived the Infamous Btitaan death march and three years of Im prisonment at the Cabanatuan camp in the Phllliplnes, said to day on his arrival here that his foremost impression of wartime America is "the way everyone wants to do things for you." "After the Jap prison treat ment, you're surprised when ever anyone tries to do anything for you," he said. An "Oregon Club" formed by U. S. prisoners at the camp was prevented from meeting by the Japanese, who thought its activities were directed against them. "The biggest trouble was that it was the hottest time of tne year, and the Japs had destroyed our canteens Just for the hell of it The fellows had malaria and were starved. We had straight rice for the first three weeks, he added. DUlHTPLAN BE Washington, April 7 (U.R) The World Security Organiza tion proposed at Dumbarton Oaks "is subject to amendment" by the United Nations conference t San Francisco, Chairman Tom Connally, D., Tex., of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said tonight. Connally thus agreed with his Senate colleague on the U. S. delegation to the April 25 con ference, Arthur H. Vandenberg. R., Mich., that full opportunity should be provided for changing the Dumbarton Oaks charter if changes are desirable. There have been charges that the Big Four would try to ram the pro posals through without altera tion. iS HELD San Francisco, April 7 (U.R) More than 800 rescued U. S. prisoners of the Japs the larg est group ever to reach the coast at one time is due to arrive at U. S. Pacific coast port "soon," the navy announced today. All the repatriated prisoners are civilians who had been In terned by the Japs in Santo Tomas and other Philippines Is land prisons. Included In the group are ministers, missionar ies, salesmen, students, engin eers, Red Cross officials, clerks, miners, druggists, and others from all walks of life. Portland, Ore., April 7 (U.R) Officials of the Yank Legion, a group of World War II veterans and war workers, today reveal ed the American Legion has pro tested the new organization's in signia and name as an infringe ment of patent rights. Ralph B. Gregg, national judge advocate of the American Legion, wrote the Yank group, which has headquarters in Port land, that "the emblem is simi lar to that adopted by the Amer ican Legion and protected by letters patented in the United States patent office and renewed by act of congress. We feel that the use of the name 'Yank Le gion' and the emblem as display ed is an Infringement on our 'ights, and must respectfully re quest that thil practice be discontinued." Washington, April 7 (U.R) A group of German war prisoners in Camp Devens, Mass., have appealed to the people of Ger many to overth, ow Hitler and make an Immediate peace with the allies, the war department revealed tonight. The plea was contained In a petition signed voluntarily by 1,391 of the 3.102 German pris oners at the camp, the depart ment said. The appeal will be broadcast to Germany, It was announced. "The continuation of this combat, which was mad from the beginning, brings us only closer to the total des.ruction of our homeland, ou native coun try; the bleeding to death of our people." the petition said. Declaring that "the dead have no future," the petition pleaded, "put dowr your weapons Imme diately, stop '.he war, surrender." MAY BE 'BABS' KIN Stockholm, April 7 (U.P) Four Copenhagen men, including Count Ludwig Reventlow, were shot to death by order of the Germans yesterday, the Danish Press Service said today. It was not known here whether the youn count was a relative of Count Haugwltz von Reventlow. former husband of the American heiress, Barbara Hutton. THE WEATHER Forecast Sundry, occasional rain: Monday, clearing and cooler. Medford UMted Prat Fortieth Year Japanese Suffer Allied Armies Close on Hannover C .'" VsMSLENByRG.0.V yZx"' T -'""" ) YiL G E RM AN Y V V. V. ..: U.l. lTf .S,U"HilH, , V : , O Bcmogtn. .vSi,, I StUt,-SAXONY -V X Mn,lc,n.l. F,tk fa .rVtK.,!..!,' V : : i-t-v A o . v.le if WURTTtMSEKG y "BAVAItlA'vir FRANCE ,""JfT S J J B V o" fMUWCH f ..J p "( fL ' : glZ'rrr& ,,,, ff''Ti i-1 SWITZERLAND i!!'7 .. V ' : ! t 'H illiltr i i " (Acm Tehphoto) British and Canadian troops, pushing their Netherlands drive from south, outflank great German port o( Bremen. On Berlin road. American Ninth and British Second Armies stream across Weser. converge on Hannover. 0. 8 First and Third Armies made new progress across German plain towards the capita: while the O. S. Seventh and French First Armies knlie deeper Into southern Germany. WHOLESALE HEAT E CEILING IS E Local OPA officials stated Saturday they will be forced to call in Portland and San Fran cisco Investigators unless meat wholesalers desist from the prac tice of selling meat above ceiling prices. The OPA officials sid com plaints that local wholesalers are selling meats to retailers and restaurants above ceiling prices have been made by many Medford merchants who claim that the gravity of the situation will force them to close several days a week unless it is cleared up soon. "The overcharges are fre quently made by changing the weight of the meat on the in voice which automatically places it in a higher price bracket and results in a substantial over charge," the officials said they had been informed. 'Retailers continue to buy In excess of the ceiling in order to supply their customers. Though no overcharges at retail have been reported, the retailer is as much in violation for buying over the celling price as for selling," the OPA statement con cluded. BACK IN ACTION San Francisco, April 7 (U.R) The 12th naval district disclosed today that the U.S.S. Birming ham, a light cruiser, has return ed to action In the Pacific after undergoing extensive damage repairs j.id modernization. The Birmingham was stand ing by the doomed llsht carrier Princeton last Oct. 24 off the Philippines when the Princeton's magazine exploded. The cruis suffered 64P casualties. The Birmingham was within 50 feet of the carrier when the hazajlne exploded. The cruis er's topside structures were pierced by a hall of torn frag ments. The stacks, deckhouse and antiaircraft guns and mounts were considerably damaged. State Board Keeps Tax Commissioners Salem, Ore., April 7 (U.R) The state board of control today reappointed Earl Fisher and Charles V. Galloway to the state tax commission for four-year terms. Secretary of State Robert Parrel! opposed the action, but v.-ns outvoted by Gov. Earl Snell and Treasurer Leslie M. Scott. Full Leased Wire ALLIES II RUHR . SAY THEY By Jack Fleischar United Press War Correspondent Recklinghausen, April 7-rU.R) Dr. Posef Hellermann, allied appointed mayor of this north Ruhr city, said today he was very "disappointed" with the Americans and British. His disappointment like that of many other Germans I have talked with stems from the fact that we have not come as "liberators" but conquerors and because, ho charged, we have not strictly controlled freed al lied prisoners of war and slave laborers. He complained that German homes were being "plundered." These complaints have been made both by Germans who are Nazis and by some who claim they are anti-Nazi, The mayor, like a good many other Ger mans, advanced what appears to be the post-war German propa ganda line it was all the fault of Adolph Hitler and the Nazis. It seems apparent that the Germans are already trying to shift all responsibility for the war off their own shoulders. German after German whom I have interviewed denounces the Nazis, and in the next breath re cites almost verbatim some Nazi propaganda theme such as "the crime of the Treaty of Ver sailles." Hellermann Is a former super intendent of city schools In Recklinghausen who was retired on a rension after two months In a Gestapo jail. He had been charged with showing favor to a city employe who had made in sulting remarks about Hitler. HAPPYTOSr- WAR SEEN BY TRUMAN Buffalo, April 7 (U.R) Vice President Harry S. Truman fore cast a prosperous postwar Amer ica In a speech tonight to a Grover Cleveland day dinner of the Democratic party. "As lor.g as we utilize our plants, resources, manpower and skills intelligently, there seems no sound reason why America should fear the future In any field of human endeavor," Tru man said. "As long as we remain free and industrious, our progress should be practically unlimited." With the nation using Its pow er and prortlge In the cause of justice, he said, "America may again lead the world back to tolerance and understanding." CONQUERORS HPT! TT TTTYTT7 ffflSSl RIB UNE MEDFORD, OREGON, SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 1945. Air ' A Naval fbhiTLES RAGE IN STREET Moscow, April 7 (U.R) The Official Communist Party Newspaper Pravda raised the question of Austria's war guilt today as the fall of Vienna ap peared imminent. Pravda said the foundation for a free and democratic nation should be formed immediately. London, Sunday, April 8 (U.R) The red army stormed 18 miles to the Danube northwest of Vi enna yesterday, encircling two thirds of the Austrian capital and putting the last German escape roads under short-range artillery fire while other Rus sian troops battled into the city streets from the south. Marshal Feodor I. Tolbukhin's 3d Ukrainian army captured Klessenburg, one mile from the Vienna limits and left only a 13-mle gap between its spear heads at the Danube on both sides of Vienna, which lies al most entirely on the south bank. Street fighting broke out in the shell-shaken Austrian cap ital as other 3d Ukrainian army units entered the main city from the south, a Moscow commu nique announced. Berlin . ad mitted a penetration of two miles inside Vienna to the edge of Simmering, the city's gas and electric power station four miles southeast of St. Stephen's cathe dral in the city's center. The battle for Vienna, a me tropolis of almost 2,000,000 pop ulation and one of the most fa mous capitals in the world, en tered the climatic phase as Ger man commentators vowed that it would be defended street by street. Besides this route, the only other railroads open to the Ger mans were an auxiliary line con necting eventually with Brno and the main Vienna-Brno rail road which hugs the west bank of the Morava. Russian columns at or across the Morava were dominating this route with their artillery. None of the routes was more than six miles from soviet guns and It appeared the Germans had no chance to evacuate their main garrison. THIRD WAR TOLD Washington, April 7 (U.R) The Allies have mapped detailed plant for destroying a long-prepared Nazi program to achieve world domination "through a third World War," the State Do partment disclosed tonight. Assistant Secretary of State Julius C. Holmes said the United Nations had collected "ample evidence" that Hitler and his henchmen already were working on plans for a strong, world-wide Nazi organization "iter this war He disclosed in the last of the State Department's weekly radio broadcasts (NBC) that the Nazis' post-war plans took shape in 1943, when top party leaders con ceded that "Germany could no longer hope to win the war." NEW DETROIT STRIKE Detroit, April 7 (U.R) A sixth Detroit war plant was clos ed by strikes today when 37 members of the United Automo bile Workers (CIO) picketed the Draper Motors Corp. BULLETIN (NIGHT GAMES) Oakland, April 7 (U.R) The hard-hitting Oakland Oaks clinched their series with the Hollywood Stars hers tonight by a 6-3 count, in a Pacific coast league gam before 2.500 fans. Hollywood 2 19 3 Oakland 6 14 2 Intlekofer and Hill; Chelim and B. Ralmondi. San Diego, April 7 (U.R) The San Diego Padres maintained a five Inning lead over the San Francisco Seals tonight In one of the wildest team vs. team bat ting duels this season with a 12 to 8 score at the end of the fourth inning. WAR BULLETINS London. April 7 (U.R) American bombers and fight, rs shot down at least 87 Ger man planes today as t h crippled Luftwaffe desperate ly sought to stop crushing raids on their dwindling air bases In northern Germany. Rome. April 7 (U.R) Fifth U. S. Army Troops ad vanced in the Tyrrhenian sec tor fox the third straight day, today and drove toward the great German naval base of La Zpesla after capturing Mount Fragollto and outflank ing enemy-held Massa to tha west. Chungking. April 7 (U.R) Chinese forces beat back tank-led Japanese columns at tempting to storm Laohokow. former American airbase town in northwest Rupeh province, a Chines communique said today. London. April 7 (U.R) A BBC broadcast said tonight that the government of Greek Premier Nicholas Plastiras had resigned. The broadcast said that Greek Regent Damas kinos reportedly had asked Adm. Pearos Voulgaris, commander-in-chief of the Greek navy, to form a new govern ment. Plastiras had formed his cabinet Jan. 3. 1945. PLANE SPRAYING FOR FIRST TIME ON VALLEY PEARS ' For the first time In the his tory of the valley's orchard In dustry, orchard spraying is being carried on from the air. Yester day morning a pilot and crew from the Central Aircraft com pany, Yakima, dusted Walter Leverette s Crown Point orchard on Egar. Road and Monday the crew will dust the Fair Oaks tract on Hillcrest Road, Lever ette stated last night. Much in terest is being displayed in the venture. The orchardist stated that only the pre-pink and pink sprays could be put on from the air and that tho dusting by airplane is in the nature of an experiment. He said the dusting supplies were in a field on the old Barne burg ranch, where a temporary air strip for the plane had been arranged. A "flag" crew posted in the orchard aids the pilot. According to Leverette, many low crops are regularly dusted from the air for insect and di sease control but that dusting of orchards is still In the experi mental stage. E Guam, Sunday, April 8 (U.R) The marine 3d amphibious corps continued to drive northward against negligible Japanese re sistance on the Iskikawa Isthmus of Okinawa yesterday Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimltz an nounced In a communique today. NImltz reported that by noon the leathernecks had advanced about 3,000 yards to the vicinity of Nago town pa the west coast of the island and Orbay on the east coast. The 24th army corps In the south was mo'-ing through difficult terrain in which the Japanese were fortified behind an extensive system of strong points. The enemy troops were bar ricaded behind pillboxes, block houses and trenches. Red Cross Assists 'Louisiana Victims Alexandria. La., April 7 (U.R) Rising flood waters of Louisiana rivers by tonight had affected half of the state's 64 parishes and inundated over 1,000,000 acres of land. Red Cross director John Fllgg estimated 'hat 20.000 perons have now been drive i from their homes and are being hous ed in 27 tent cities, state guerd armories, high ground churches and munlclnal buildings. Long food lines formed at hurriedly set up army field kitchens. United Press Defeats HALT B-29 RAID Mitcscher's Carriers Destroy Quarter of Remaining Navy Plane Loss High. Guam, Monday, April 8 (U.R) American Superfortresses and Mustang fighter planes destroy ed or damaged 173 Japanese planes during Saturday's attacks against aircraft plants at Tokyo and Nagoy, it was announced of ficially today. More than 400 B-29s great est force ever dispatched from Marianas bases were jumped by swarms of Japanese intercept ors who for the first time met U. S. army - fighter plane op position over the home islands. Plane Plants Hit The formations which poured tons of demolition bombs on the Mitsubishi aircraft plant at Na goya and the Nakajima-Musa-shina aircraft engine plant near Tokyo destroyed or damaged 136 Japanese fighters alone at a cost of five Superforts. Enemy planes made as many as 600 separate attacks on the big bombers, indicating there were at at least several hundred interceptors in the area. Of these, B-29 gunners definitely shot down 64, probably destroy ed 31 and damaged 41. Mustang pilots shot down 21, probably destroyed six and dam aged ten. , Antiaircraft flro was Intense. but photographs revealed the bombs hit their targets. Damage assessments will not be an nounced until all reports are in. Hug Yamato Sunk An all-out Japanese effort to Interfere with the American in vasion of the key bastion of Oki nawa had ended in complete disaster today as reports showed that 417 enemy aircraft and six warships, Including the 40,000 ton battleship Yamato. were de stroyed In a two-day period. As defeat was heaped upon defeat, Baron Kantaro Suzuki the new premier of Japan, warned his country that the war now "warrants not the least bit of optimism whatever for our nation's survival." Vice Adm. Marc A. MHcschcr'r fast carriers went hunting and found a Japanese task force, spearheaded by the hugo Yama to, In the waters off the south ern tip of the enemy homeland. Within a few hours, the battle ship, an Agano class light cruis er, a smaller cruiser or heavy destroyer and three destroyers had been sunk. Three other ae- stroycrs were left burning and three were reported to have escaoed. A navy spokesman at Wash ington said a "good 25 per cent of the remaining naval Japanese combat force" was wiped out. Washington, April 7 (U.R) A naval spokesman revealed to day that 1,212 Japanese planes have been shot down, destroyea on the ground or damaged since March 18 in the campaign of Okinawa. In addition, 493 enemy ves sels ranging from warships to small Junks and luggers were sunk or damaged in support of the landings. This total included 244 vessels sunk, 208 damaged and 43 probably sunk or dam aged. v JAIL TERMS COT Hartford, Conn., April 7 (U.R) Superior Court Judge William J. Shea suspended today the prison terms of one of the six Barnum and Balley-Ringlitig Brothers Circus officials hold responsible for last July's big top fire and reduced the term of three others. Shea said he suspended the six months jail sentence of David W. Blanchfield, rolling stock superintendent, because "t h e court Is Impressed with your testimony In this case. You have stated the truth." Blanchfield was the only one of the six to testify that the cir- cui could continue without him. Full Leased Wire NO. 14. GOLD RESERVE OF E SALT MINE VAULT Americans Take Treasure Trove, and Priceless Art Loot. With tho 90th Infantry Divis ion, at Merkers, Germany, April 7 U.R) American soldiers found a vast treasure trove said to include the entire' German gold reserve In a salt mine today. Fritz Vieche, a balding offic ail of the Reichsbank, was on guard. He said the subterranean v.tults contained approximately 100 tons of gold bullion, $2,000. 000 in United States currency, 100,000,000 francs in French currency, 110,000 British pounds, 4,000,000 Norwegian crowns, and lesser amounts in other currencies. The salt mine also sheltered a priceless art collection. The gold and currency were stored in a room 2,100 feet under tho ground. "The gojd was brought from Berlin by train, starting Febru ary 11th and later all the rest of the treasures were brought In," Vieche told this correspondent. "Later when the Berlin print ing presses were all destroyed by bombing, we attempted to re turn the paper currency back to the capital. "However, because of blown can armor moved so swiftly, wo b.!"tges and the fact that Ameri were unable to escape with the paper currency and were forced to give up the entire Idea." The tip-off on the. hidden treasure came late yesterday when two military policemen itoppcd two women who were on their way to get a midwife for a friend. Walking with them, they pass ed the mine entrance. One wo man said: "That's where tho bullion Is hidden." The M. P. barked "What did you say?" She repeated her remark. The M. P.'s investigated at once. Eight civil servants in all were In charge of the treasure. They showed no Inclination to run away and both Vieche and Rave were most willing to talk. GOALlirWAGE PEACE FORECAST Washington, April 7 l.n The soft coal mine wage dispulo will be ended on Monday, both sides predicted tonight. Operators and miners said they expected to solve their own wage-hour problems with out drastic government Intervention by signing a new two-year con tract. It would replace the one which expired April 1. The new contract, removing the threat of nationwide govern ment seizure of mines, will pro vide substantial pay Increases for miners but will not, it was understood, Include the 10-cents-a-ton royally originally asked by the united mine workers. New York, April 7 (U.R) The demat.ds of John L. Lewis for sf 10-cent a ton royalty on all hard coal mined by his united mine workers If successful, could lead to union efforts to tax the American public almost $3,000,000,000 annually, Ira Mo ther, president of the national association of manufacturers said today. GALES F( ON COAST TODAY San Francisco, April 7 (U.R) Storm warning for gales to night and Sunday were hoisted from the mouth of the Columbia river In Oregon to Cape Mendo cino In California, the U. S. Weather Bureau announced to night. Tho Wnnthcr Bureau said that winds of 40 to 50 mile velocity were reported off the Oregon coast and ai high as 36 miles an hour on the California coastline. Donner Summit In the mountains reported 50 mlles-an-hour gales.
