The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, November 18, 1942, Page 1

THE DAILY ALASKA . “ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME” VOL. LX., NO. 9193. JUNEAU, ALASKA, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1942 ‘MBER PRICE_TEN CENTS ASSOCIATED PRESS ALLIED GUARD IN ADVANCE IN TUNISIA GROUND TROOPS ~ ADVANCE Bombers Al-sg_Score Hits— Merchantman Fired- Planes Blasted ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN AUSTRALIA, Nov. 18. Ground troops under personal command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur are driv- | doser to Buna while bombers new hits including large i, scored a § | \ | | | | | merchantman left flaming in Ra- ! baul Harbor. Retreating Japs are under con- tinual strafing by Allied planes. .| New fires have been started and three enemy aircraft have already been destroyed. In attacks on Buin, Allied bomb- | ers blasted seven Japanese bomb- ers and seven fighters. The attack caugpt the Nippons by surprise. AXIS FLEET MAYGOTO HIT AFRICA Report from Stockholm via Switzerland Suggest New Movement (By Associated Press) A Reuters dispatch reported to- day from Bern, Switzerland, that units of the German fleet have left their Norwegian bases, with the probable intention of partici- pating in Axis attempts to cut the Allies’ supply lines to the new North African battle zone. The Reuters report was taken from a dispatch to the National Zeitung of Basel, Switzerland, from Stockholm. The Wésrh’ifirgtun Merry - Go-Round By DREW PEARSON (Major Robert 8. Allen on active duty.) WASHINGTON -- Inside intelli- gence reports from Italy indicate that the most violent repercussions have taken place as a events in North Africa. For weeks Mussolini had dangled before the eyes of the Italian peo- ple the juicy reward of Alexandria and the Suez Canal. At one time he was so sure Suez was going to fall that he prepared for a tri- umphal entry into Cairo. The Italians, discouraged with the war, were buoyed up chiefly by the thought that Suez would be theirs and they would rule the Great Roman Empire again. So news of the retreat in North Africa has been crushing. Hatred of Mussolini is at a peak. Dissen- sion in the army is stronger than ever before. It seems certain that if Nazi troops were not in Italy the people would have revolted” long ago. At present Hitler has seven divi- sions or about 100,000 men in Italy, many of them being airmen on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Now he is reported to have about five more divisions enroute from the Russian front to guard against the second front Allied invasion across|p..cqent caiq. the Mediterranean. SURROUNDING DAKAR Significant fact about the first U. S. landing operations was that no U. S. troops landed very near result of | | American, British and French lives. J (would have delayed the “attack on The harbor of Algiers (above), capital and seaport o the French African colonies. Algiers was later occupl stroyer, and sections of the waterfront was set afire. ‘The shelling was a part of the American landings in the French African colonies. Alfiers was later occupied by U. S. forces. ROOSEVELT LAUDS NAVY ~ ON VICTORY |President Tells of Courag- ! - eous At of Former Naval | . Aide, Adm. Callaghan | WASHINGTON, Nov. 18.-— Presi~ | lden! Roosevelt told newsmen that | he though the naval engagement in! the Solomons from November 13 | to 15 might be called a major vic-| tory He said he was very much upset at the death of Rear Admiral Dan- !iel Caliaghan, formerly his naval | aide, who was killed in the battle. | Admiral Callaghan’s death, as well | |as that of the captain of his flag- ship, and that of Rear Admiral Norman Scott, has been an- nounced by the Navy The President said that Cal-| !laghan had cerfainly done a cour- ageous thing in taking his 10,000~ ton cruiser against a 25,000-ton bat- tleship at point-blank range. | | This was the first hint of what | |actually happened to the Rear| Admiral's ship. No details were given by the Navy. - .- ALLIES NOT 10 ACCEPT * DARLAN YET | | | | WASHINGTON, Nov. 18. — Presi- |dent Franklin D. Roosevelt de- |clared in a formal statement that | political arrangements in French LNorlh Africa “are only a tempor- (ary expedient, justified solely by the stress of battle.” | ¢ said the temporary arrange- |ments with Admiral Jean Darlan )are justified because it has saved | It has also made it unnecessary | to have a “mopping up” period in Algiers and Morocco, which Tunis, and, we hope, Tripoli,” the TWO YOUNG ' Look Out, Hitler! > TR U3 An i ATTACKS ON STALINGRA STILL FAIL 1Soviets Hold Lihes as First | | | i | Week of New Axis Siege Determined to do her share for the war effort, Beatrice McElvey has taken up railroading. She feels that transportation is as vital to our vies tory as shells, tanks or guns. Bea- trice flexes her museles to prove she’s more than fit for the job. SOLDIERS IN Will Drive First Truck Be- tween Poinfs on Alcan Highway This Week WHITEHORSE, Y, T, Nov. 18- Two young soldiers in a small Army truck, battered from use, will take their place in the history of the Northland, day after tomorrow The battered army truck, a sort of Cinderella’s coach, will be the first land vehicle ever driven be- tween the interior of North America and the Territory of Alaska. The two soldiers, who will be famed in the Northland’s history, are Corporal Otto Gronke, of Chi- cago, and Private First Class Bob Rowe, of Minneapolis. Several months ago the two soldiers drove a truck, the first through on the trip, here from Dawson Creek. | The President went over the| | statement with newsmen at a con- | ference and said he thoroughly | {understood and approved the feel- ling here and in Britain and all| |the United Nations, that in view of | Dakar. This has long been consid-{y, . pisiory of the past two years, ered the most important base in Northwest Africa and the (Cul{tl;l;éd “on P;}e k’fivu‘)’ French | “no permanent arrangement should |be made with Darlan.” iR BUY DEFENSE BONDS | | rerdy tn throw fhe trmsk inta Today they were chosen by Col. K. B. Bush, Chief of Staff of the Northwest Service Command, to head the trucks to proceed north- ward to Fairbanks after the high- way's formal dedication on Friday. Grinning widely when told they had been chosen tp lead the parade, both young soldiers agreed un.y wei and start for Alaska when the dedi- cution tormallies were compieved, ~ | fenders | - Ends with No Gain MOSCOW, Nov. 18.—At the end of the first week of renewed of- fensive thrusts in the siege of the city of Stalingrad, the Germans have gained only a few yards in their persistent and costly efforts to occupy the northern factory dis- trict for winter quarters, reports the Red Star, The Soviet Army newspaper said that the Nazis have been con | centrating their attack in a sector less than 400 yards wide, trying | vainly to break through the Volga Although the ice floes in the I river complicated the Russians sup- | ply problem temporarily, the de- have been holding their |lines and generally are taking a ' heavy toll of Nazi lives and equip- | ment, it is reported. ‘War Coundil GREAT SPOT Talks Over (ampaigns ;Pacific Grom xpresses View- that ltaly May Undergo Bombings | WASHINGTON, Nov. 18.—Mem- bers of the Pacific War Council | today expressed the view that there is a possibility of “mass bombing” raids directed at production cen- ters in northern Italy Walter Nash, New Zealand’s Min- ister to the United States, spoke of the North African campaign opening the way toward Italy’s re- ceiving some of the devastating raids on key industries comparable to those the British have directed against German war plants Leighton McCarthy, Canadian Minister, said that some of the discussion today centered on the Aleutian Islands, adding that they are not being lost sight of in the whole of Pacific operations. - e The aggregate weight of materials used in the construction of the Capitol at Washington is 8,909,200 pounas. I MacArthur Driving Forces JAPS ADMIT HEAVY LOSS INSEA FIGHT Atknowledgé Sinking of | Battleship, Destroyer- -Downing of 41 Planes CLAIM MANY U.5. | SHIPS ARE SUNK| {Tokyo Ra dio | For Youth WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 | President Roosevel today fixed | three separate registration per | iods for youths of the United | States who have or will h their 18th birthdays during the last half of this year. The President set the week beginning December 11 and end- ing December 17 for the draft registration of those who be- come 18 years old in July August of this year. Young men who reached the age of 18 during September or October, will register the fol lowing week. Young men reaching the age | or dio Hails An- | nouncement of Losses as | Great Victory Over U.S. (By Associated Press) Tokyo heatiquarters have admi !ted heavy losses to Japan's mnst: | vital offensive and defensive weap- on, her fleet, as an aftermath of | {the great American naval victory | ‘in the Solomons. | For the first time in this | the enemy has acknowledged | sinking of a Jap battleship. 1 | The announcement not only ad- | | mitted this, but also said that other hlows were suffered which sunk lone cruiser and three destroyers | {and damaged another battleship. 1 Seven transports were destyoyed:or missing and 41 planes shot down, | they admitted. {'These jadmidgsions are the heavi- | § est lc 5 ever conceded by Tokyo. Counts Toll In contrast is the U.S. Navy's announcement that American battle forces in threéd;ddys and nights of flaming action sank one Jap bat- tleship, five cruisers, five destroy- eight troop-jammed transports and five cargo ships. Besides, the | Navy announced, it damaged an- other battleship and six destroyers. American losses were ted by the U. 8. Navy as two light cruis- ers and six destroyers, but the Tok- | yo communique today ass that the Japs sank eight cruisers, four or five destroyers and a transport. The Japs also declared they heavily damaged two battleships, | three cruisers, three or four de-| stroygrs and three transports. Cross Propaganda Wires Curiously, the Tokyo radio claimed that “terrific damage” had been inflicted on the U.S. battle- ship Tdaho, thereby betraying they have crossed wires with Axis pro- | paganda. For on October 6, with= out any confirmation then or since, | [ I | i war, the ers Lieut. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower Continued on Page Three) | Pean land forces, headed the pow - | landed on the Mditerranean and EXPECTS T0 MEET ROMMEL Eighth Arn&fi tommanderj Predicts Axis Stand Will | wasmmNoToN, Nov. 18.—presi- Be Made at El Agheila CAIRO, Nov. 18.—Gen. Sir Alex- ander, Commander of the British Eighth Army, forces In the Middle East, said toddy that only 15 of the 500 Axis tanks in Egypt have escap- | ed destruction or capture by his forces. He predicted, however, that Mar- shal Erwin Rommel's shattered forces will make a stand near El Agheila, in Libya, As Alexander spoke, the British were within 70 miles of Bengasi, pursuing Rommel on a wide front. Rommel, Alexander said, is doing his utmost with what he has on hand in Tripoli, Tania, and Tun-; isia, but “I don’t think he can make a long stand; unless reinforced I don’t think the present army can stand long.” The General added that Rommel has strong prepared defensive posi- tions in the El Agaheila area and most likely will make a temporary stand there.” speaking to the nation last night on the Herald-Tribune forum, called |the Solomon Islands naval battle and the African victory in the war “the turning point,” but warned that and fighting and none for exulta- tion. laghan, his personal friend, and the gallant men of the cruiser San ¥rancisco, which Callaghan was commanding when it ran into bat- ship the news is definite and no longer benefits the enemy, as a policy to hasten victory and save American lives. He hit ai the critics of this policy, saying that those who criti- cize haven't the right to criticize withholding of news, because they do not know the news, and there- fore the reasons for not getting it. He urged the people to keep their ~ Urging Secreflcy °,','P dent JFranklin Delano Roosevelt, | there is time now only for working | He praised Admiral Daniel Cal- | tle with a far-heavier Jap battle- | He defended his policy of with- holding news of naval losses until | ,lips tight, asserting that the ponzmA Registrafion Periods | Designated Today by U.S. President NORTH AFRICA of 18 November or December will register the week starting December 26 and closing De- 3L President Roosevelt also pro vided for continuous registra- tion of young fmen who become 18 years old on or after next January 1. I their birthdays fall on Sunday or a holiday they must register the follow- ing day. The take place cember new registrations will imultaneously in the United States proper and of Alaska from local times. the | 9 am. to Territory 5 pm. (oih'fiand'ed Alrican Landings (above), chief of America’s Euro- erful American forces which were Atlantic coasts of the French col- President Raps Crificsin Talk on War Developments, ublic | “Logse talk costs lives” are not ex- aggerated. He stressed the gigantic job of keeping the lines intact, stretching from Kiska to Murmansk and Tun- isia, and he added “these lines will grow longer at our forces advance.” - Bradley Is Named 1 of 3 Governors, | | | | } i SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Nov. 18 P. R. Bradley, President of the Alaska Juneaun Gold Mining Com- | pany at Juneau; Roy B. Earling |and R. C. Gebhart, both of Fair- | bank | for Alaska The congress is just concluding an | important meeting here { . BUY DEFENSE STAMPS jtended to saye power. . s Mining Congress have been elected Governors | Closer To Japs 'PARACHUTERS BEING USED IN British Are Kfléady Taking | Porfs by New Mili- ; tary Methods ' ARE READY TO DEFEND Status of Tunis Sfill Un- known-Nazi Occupation | Claim Not Repeated (By Associated Press) The Germans boasted today that they are established and ready to fight for the important Tunisian naval base of Bizerte, against a powerful Allied force whose ad- vance guard is already deep in Tunisia. British parachutists have landed at key airdromes and American parachutists are poised at the fron- tier ready to get into the fight. The British radio, meanwhile, said that Lieut. Gen. Kenneth An- derson, commander of the British P‘l‘rht Army, declared himself satis- | | i | ! fed wif “very y by e 1 ns g ‘an’ Eastw st his forges, who a trom Algeria, Tunis May Be Held BN o A PRTRTRLEY. | air hiter glying an;exp) tion, on { Mordday that iis! silente wak) iné L a4 This suggested that paracm:u- operations might even have been brought close to the Tunisian capi- | tal, which the Axis has announced |is in its hands. Using the Nazi-controlled Paris radio as a mouthpiece, the Ger- mans announced that they have captured Bizerte and have estab- lished themselyes firmly there. ‘The broadeast said nothing about T'unis, whose occupation, along with that of Bizerte, was reported in Axis communiques two days ago, (Continued on Page Three) BIZERTE IS HITBY U.S. AIRPOWER { Report from North Africa | that Allies Already Are Thrusting Info Tunisia (By Associated Press) A late afternoon communiqte from Allied headquarters in North |Africa reports that Lieut. Gen. | Kenneth Anderson and his British- | American army are already within | Tunisia, thrusting tonight from the | border eastward toward the naval base of Bizerte. The forces are ing under a powerful jumbrella of airplanes. Alr power apparently is develop- ing as the key to mastery of Tu- nisia It is indicated that the Germans re trying to' rush large fighter i s in from Sicily and Sardinia, 'he Germans evidently are de- {pending on air force to gain time |while Axis ground forces are being |marshaled to try to hold Tunisia, the buffer between the Allies in North Africa and Italian Libya. | The Royal Air Force, advancing |with Anderson's army, is already 200 air miles of striking said to be mov- protecting | within of the American Mining COngress | .c...... from . from ¥ |an Eastern Algerian port. United States Flying Fortresses also have attacked Bizerte, causing damage in low level bombing, it was reported in London.