Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 42, Number 86, Decatur, Adams County, 10 April 1944 — Page 1

|K|v/,n the War? gi M Is Chores!

I. No. 86.

HSSIANS CAPTURE SEA PORT OF ODESSA

I Airmen lue Big ■On Truk ■ese Forces Kce To Edge Kphal Plain Apr, 10—(UP)— |H ,ti*t;ilned American >ll Truk, officially op.-iallolK to "softell Illg air and naval today I" be an ■ mi.: an aerial hitch through the CaroK|)|.. heart of enemy's Kd defense*. softening-up" nod during opera the landing o.* K«ter W Niniitz* comKnioiiming new raids air force liber and Ihlhlon idands Ku Friday night, said io soften without furKit. the 17th In leas since central and Ki<- airmen joined In ■uk, was part of the Hfitra'ed and sustained ■ a single target In the Kh- seventh air force. Hfoininunlqiie said the ■ bombers hit wharves ■*.- rvolrs on Dilblon ■ lia-e for Japan s naval Hat Truk, and the air ■patches said the bonibH>r the' seventh a.r force ■ ha- concentrated on ■ I'ruk. The big raft!' ■ have a longer J augn ■ to carry larger bomb ■ash the base every ■ have left Truk, once a ■ese defense base, bad- ■ <•»* war correspondent ■ aohnaon said that ■in a seventh AAF ad■arshalls base believe ■ never again will dare ■ major fleet units, such ■ carriers, battleships ■rs. In Truk's harbor. ■» also hit other enemy ■ng out through the ■•tween the western ■and Truk. Ixe> miles east of Tnik. ■vd twice Friday and ■ time in eight straight ■ second attack was ■t by mltchell bombers, ■y fourth marine aircraft B*-r». which bombed and ■stailations, aifkinst only I anti-aircraft fire. ■Japanese Drive Blhi Apr. 10 — (UP) — k Japanese forces drove ■go of the Imphal plain I east, and southwest to- ■ 60 miles to the north Igariison hurled back rehmy attacks on the k*> supply center of Koktunlque from Admiral fro Pact S. Colams 4) re/t Leaves |pxto/ For Two [Weeks Relaxation ■ton. April IS — (UP) — I Roosevelt has last Washr approximately two weeks btion in the south, the rise announced today. ■its- (louse Indicated Mr. I would cut short his trip, [in event any "unexpected fr" should develop. hite House statement said Mons,.veit will devote htaito "relaxation out iin fresh air and sunshine ” Rdent has been recuperetan attack << bronchitis • infection. n Lehman Goes five Service 1 Paul Lebraas of Berne, ) iMed with the Good autlngent tor active duty fry. left this morning on a I call for Port Benjamin ■ tAjectod to induction on »«y and was then listed In fr«»« scheduled to leave w fr- When the call for *»• received he was ord-

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Alllies Repulse Nazi Attacks On Beachhead Nazi Skirmishers Are Repulsed After Making Five Attacks Allied Headquarters. Naples. Apr. 10. — (UP) —German skirmishers spearheaded at one point by ex-ploslves-carrying mbit tanks, have been repulsed In five attacks on the Allied beachhead below Rome. it was disclosed today, as front reports revealed a new flare-up of artillery and ground action on the main fifth army line from Cassino to the Tyrrhenian coast. Two Nazi combat patrols lashed out against the right flank of the beachhead Hue south of Cisterna yesterday but were driven off by accurate rifle and machine gun fire. One "goliath" tank, loaded with high explosives and apparently guided by remote control, was driven against the Allied lines just north of Hessano, on the CisternaLittoria road. The tank was blown to pieces, however, when Allied riflemen set Are to its cargo. A third Nazi patrol was driven off two miles west of Seesano, and two other thrusts against the left flank of the Allied line also were repelled. On the main fifth army front. New Zealand troops raided two German strongpoints tn the village of San Angelo in Theodice, miles eouth of Cassino, and withdrew after damaging the enemy positions and inflicting casualties. German artillery and mortars pounded Allied positions inside Cassino, while Allied gunners dtopeeved a formation of 31 Nasi tanks or self-propelled guns caught In the open two and one-half miles north of Mlntumo, on the coastal flank of the fifth army front. The German armored units attempted to get through the Ausente valley at dusk under cover of (Turn To Pago I. Column I) - O'" — "■ Attempts To Murder Mexican President Army Officer Fails In Assassination Mexico City. D. F.. Apr 10— (UP)—A Mexican army officer attempted to assassinate President Gen. Manuel Avila Camacho In the national palace today, but was disarmed after missing with a pistol shot at point blank range. The president grappled with the assassin and held both his arms while members of the presidential party seized the gun The officer identified as artillery Id. Antonio Larrfh Rojas, approached Avila Camacho as the president was walking through the main patio of the palace fiom his car to the entry of his private elevator. Lama saluted and walked directly toward the president, who apparently believed the officer wantad to speak with him. At three paces Lama drew a 45 caliber automatic pistol and opened fire. His first shot missed. and the president immediately seized him. preventing him from getting in another shot. Maj Bnfren Ortiz Bartolo, who was accompanying the presld-nt. struck Lama white another aide. Lt Mario Castenada, took his pistol. Avila Camacho ordered the assassin taken into hia private elevator and on the way ap to his offices asked Lama why he had (Turn Te FM» •. Col sms I) 17 Youths Register On 18th Birthdays Seventeen youths who became It years of age during March registered with the local selective service board, according to the list posted in the board s office In the library building They will be subject to military call in the near future. Under the law the boy must register ou his Itth birthday. Registration can not be done prior to the birthday anniversary. clerks of the board stated .In February. 14 youths registered with the board

British Planes Knock Out Tirpitz, Nazi Warship , > - Nr *BHKSK K CLOUDS OF SMOKE rise from the German battleship Tirpitz after British carrier-based planes scored 16 direct hits on April 3 as the warship war preparing to go to sea from her refuge in Altenfjord, Northern Norway British report said "Tirpitz now believed useless as a warship" laist Heptember 32 British midget submarines damaged the Tirpitz as she lay In anchor at Altenfjoid. Radio photo from London.

Capt. Don Gentile Leading U. S. Flier Officially Credited With 27 Nazi Planes U.S. AAF Fighter Station. England. Apr 10—(UP)—The official records Heted Capl Don GentHo today as the all-Hmn leading United States flier with 27 German planes to Ills credit, one monthan the old mark, but the personal books of the 23-year-old mustang pilot left him far from satisfied. While they showed that his shooting destroyed 3o German planes, three of which still need official confirmation, they also noted that seven of the planes were destroyed on th.- ground, the other 23 he shot down in actual combat.* "It is nice, but It Isn't good enough,” said Gentile, who ha* been flying over Europe for two and a half years and can cover almost all the German territory without a map. “I got three in the air last Saturday and that boosted me to 23 shot down," he explained. "The other seven In my total were strafing jobs I'll never be satisfied until I can get four more in the air and make II 27 destroyed upstairs—then I'll be happy.’ The former record of 26 enemy planes was set by Capt. Eddie Rlckenbacker In the first world war. and was equalled by two marine filers In the Pacific area in this war. They are Majors Joe Foss of Sioux Falls, S D., and Gregory Boylngton of oksnogan. Wash., who has been listed officially as missing since he shot (Turn To Pass 8. Colums 4) «. IS"- ''O Sim mils Sell Two Properties At Delinquent Sale No Bids Received On Other Parcels Two of the seven parcels of real estate offered in the county's delinquent tax sale by Roy L. Price, county treasurer, were sold this morning. The tracts were the Christopher Haviland properties. 40 acres being in Wabash township and 33.77 aces In Geneva The tax sale certificates were purchased by William. Davis of Geneva route two. The original property owners have two years from the date of sale U> redeem the properties, plus the penalties and cost of conducting the sale. No bids were received on the other items offered, but Mr. Price stated that the county treasurer would receive private offers from day to day until the properties wore sold. The sale *aa probably one of the smeßest held la the state.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, April 10, 1944.

Two Minor Wrecks Reported By Police Two minor traffic accidents over the weekend .were reported today by Ed P. Miller, Decatur police chief Damage estimated at 3100 was caused at 1 o'clock this morning when an auto driven by Russell -Deam of <Moiwnouth struck a car owned by William Tutwiler, parked «n Hourh Fifth Mreet. Autos driven by Hoy Hlt-eke and Edwin Franz, both of near Decatur, collided at the intersection of Second and Monroe street* at 10:30 p. «n. Saturday. Damage was estimated at 150. Rain Prevalent In Decatur On Easter Citizens Defy Rain To Attend Services With 1.47 inches of rain on Easter Sunday, Decatur citizenry speculated today on th» truth of the old saying or tradition. “If It rains on Ea*ter it will rain on the following six Sundays." Tho showers, which fell incessantly and heavily during the morning, did not, however, dampen church attendance. Church's were filled with worshipers and tho faithful who defied the rain and participated in the masses and service* held in all the local churches. fhero was a mingling of khaki and blue with the Easier raiment of civilians, many men from the army and navy being home on leave, going with their families to the Easter services. The message of the Risen Christ wax delivered from every pulpit and choirs augmented the (Turn To Pegs «. Column I)

Willkie Unlikely To Take Part In Choice Os G.O.P. Candidate

By Lyle C Wilson, (Copyright. 1844. by UP.) New York, Apr. 10.—(UP)—Wendell L. Willkie waa reported today by hia cloaoat associates to believe that It la best for him to take no pari in the eelectlon of a Republican presidential nominee either before or during the party's national convention in Chicago next June. But he is determined to measure carefully the men. their records and the platform which emerge from that gathering He probably will, however, prior to the coeven Go nspeak dearly on the type of platform he believes should be adopted. On the first weekend after hi* spectacular withdrawal from ’he Republican presidential contest. Wlllkle's associates described him as feeling that he has recaptured his independence Henceforth he to expected to apeak hia mind even xscre freely than prior to last weeh'a Wisconsin primary which

Fort Wayne's Flying Ace On Missing List Maj. Walker Mahurin Is Reported Missing Fort Wayne. Ind.. Apr. 10.—(UP) - The grey-haired widowed mother of Maj. Walker M Mahurin. who with 21 planes to bls credit once was the leading American air ace in the European theater, was notified by the war department t«jday that her son has been mMsing in action since March 27. The telegram delivered to the little square house where Mrs. Mahurin Ilves with her daughter said only that he became missing while in action over France. Previous diephlcbes from eight air force headquarters in England had disclosed that he shot down his 21st plane on the same date he waa reported missing. Mr*. Mahurin had been prepared for the shock by a letter from the wife of one of the major's buddies. Hhe told Mrs Mahurn recently that in a letter her husband said he saw Major Mahurin ball out of his plane during a mission over the continent. ”1 am sure that he to safe." Mrs. Mahurin said after receiving the telegram today. ”1 an glira it was over Fiance liecause I feel that be may have a better chance to get out. (Turn To Pa«« 4. Column 3) o Two Axis Blockade Runners Scuttled (By United Preus) The British radio reported today that two Axis blockade runners were scuttled In the Indian ovean after they were intercepted by Allied forces.

! swamped bls 1944 presidential aapirvtions. Home weeks probably will pass ’ before Willkie resumes discussion ' of political issues. His plans are ’ understood to be to do a great deal of listening—especially to the men ' most prominently mentioned for the Republican nomination—and to undertake to measure them and their records against the issues of ' the day as he sees them. 1 Willkie haa told bis friends that ' he does not intend to participate in any "stop " movements directed J against any candidate nor to promote the candidacy of any man But repeatedly in conversations with hto friends. Willkie has said be Intends to "aay whai I think ' His friewds were hopeful, but WUlkto had few lUusiooa during ! the totter weeks of hto pro-con- , i vent 100 campaign His aasociaies explained that Wtllkls had recog nixed for months that powerful 1 (Turn Te Faff* 3. CeIWM 4)

Fall O£ Odessa Dooms German Ukraine Army; Great Soviet Triumph

No Change Is Likely In Calls To Service Statement Is Issued By Selective Service Unless a directive or order is received from the state selective service Irourd. no change in the personnel of the three contingents listed for induction into the army or navy this month will be made the Adams county board announced today. * There are very few men under 26 years Os age who can Ite substituted for men over that age,” clerks of the board said. In reply to the Inquiry how the weekend ruling of the army Hind navy would affect the local contingents. The order which was Issued late Saturday afternoon to the effect that no man over 26 should tie Inducted until the list of 18 to 26 age groups was “substantially ezliausted," will not affect this county to a large degree, unless the state selective service board orders the general postponement of all tnen past 26 years of age, board clerks estimated. The local 'board received the following telegram from Col. ILibituion Hitchcock: "Publicity regarding cancellation of Induction meu 26 and over does not constitute basis to fill current induction calls, induction of men 26 and over who are making a contribution in an essential activity may lie postponed as long as calls can Im* filled by men under 86." A contingent of /even men is scheduled to leave Tuesday morn(Turn Tn Page 4. Cnlumu 6) — O’" State Legislature Will Meet Tuesday Leaders Hoping For Only Short Session Indianapolis, Apr. 10 (UP) A snappy, one-day special sesalon of the Indiana general assembly tomorrow appeared more than likely today as Republican majority mem tw-rx gathered In caucus to decide whether to limit It to passage of a soldiers' vote bill. Republican legislators, who control the assembly, were button hoi ed by the various district GOP chairmen with the Idea that a short session devoted only to the soldierin' vote bill would be for the best interests of the party. Shortly before the caucua began, the GOP legislative policy committee voted unanimously to hold the special session solely to consideration of the saddlers' vote measuxe. The action was referred to the caucus. GOP repreaentaUven and senator*. mindful of a recent resolution adopted by tbe state party central committee for a oneday ■esslon. said privately that as they were up for re-alection. they did not want to get caught tn controversies just before the May 2 primaries. Sen Floyd 1 Garrott. R. Battle Ground, chairman of the state budget committee, typified that group “If we open up the session and get Into a lot of controversial lexis latlon " Garrott said, "we will just hurt the Republican party since it (Turn Tn Page 4. Column 1) ■ >■■ , —.o— - r Four Are Stricken By Food Poisoning Fort Wayne. Ind.. Apr 10 — (UP>—St. Josephs hospital at teudani* reported this morning that four people stricken Saturday with food poisoning at the General Electric cafeteria, were improving tapMly. City health commissioner Dr Karl C. Eberly said be believed ’bo poisoning came from cream pie which the four persona had eaten. Rema.niug plea wtra removed but Dr Eberly did not close the cafeteria.

Hull Defends United Slates Foreign Policy Appeals For Unity To Prevent Tragedy Os Third World War Washington. Apr. 10. (UP) Secretary of Slate Cordell Hull’s vigorous new defense of U. S. foreign policy was halted enthusiastically in administration cliclea today but some critics charged anew that this government la still sidestepping a specific stand on many pressing questions. Hull's defense came last night in a 45-mlnute nationally broadcast address In which he reviewed the principles behind hia concept of foreign policy and appealed for national unity on world questions to help prevent a third world war "a tragedy to you and to your children and to the world for generations.” He said In brief that: The United States cannot recognize the French committee of national IHieiatlon as the government of France because Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower must have absolute authority when he leads Allied armies Into France, the Alliee will adopt a firmer attitude to stop neutrals from aiding the enemy; more democratic elements will be Introduced into the Italian government; the United States is ready to help settle all European boundary disputes; the Allies will make no compromise with Naziem and Fascism; and the United States has not made, nor will it make, secret agreements or commitments. Hull also revealed that he hae ask<-d chairman Tom Connally, D. 1 ex., of the state foreign relations committee to appoint a representative bi partisan group to consult with the state department on foreign problems so that the United States will be able to go Into international conferences with plane that are likely to win congresalon al support. Many congressmen were absent from the capital for the Easter recess but most of those present — Republican* as well as Democrats - approved Hull's annoumed decision to consult with the special congressional committee to prevent a repetition of the experience of 191X1919 when friction In-tween the executive and legislative branches (Turn To Page I. Column T) Easter Service Held On Italy War Front American Guns Are Still For Service Gartgliano Front. In Italy. Apr 10. — (UPf — American guns were stilled along this one mile front Easter morning while loud speakers carried Easter services to front line doughboys and blared across no mans land with a special message tn German for enemy troops. Over loud speakers only 400 yards from German emplacements, chaplain ('apt. Oscar Refnboth of Seward. Neb., wished the Germans a happy Easter and extended greetings to the American fightets Immediately after the conclusion of the ceremonies, the Americans fired one mortar burst and then the front lapsed into semi quiet No German shells landed in the vicinity of lhe ceremonies during the service bat prayers and the sermon were intoned against a background of thudding artillery sheila and the chatter of ■ noisy machine gun from a asrtor only a mile away. The service was eonducted before an altar set up on a steep rocky slope les than a mil* from the Geemans who bold the I (Turn Ts PM« K Cotaaa U

Buy War Savinas Bonds And Stamps

Price Three Cents

Last German Strong Point In Southern Ukraine Liberated By Russian Forces London. Apr. 10— (UP) —The Red army has captured the great Black Hea port of Odessa, "poweri ful German defense base which I covered the ways to central Romania," Premier Josef Stalin announced today. He ordered the victors saluted with an unprecedented 36 salvos <ii 444 cannon Gen. Rodion V Malinosky's third army of the Ukraine, returning in triumph to his native city, outflanked Odessa and then stormed It frontally to liberate the biggest Ruslan metropolis in enemy hands. Htalln revealed in a special order of the day Moscow announced the capture of Odessa. the last German stronghold In the southern Ukraine, a few hours after Berlin acknowledged the loss of the city and claimed the evacuation of its battered garrison. The fall of Odessa, which had been Isolated by land, doomed the German army of the Ukraine, recently estimated to niwnber as many as IM,MO men, to annihilation in the marshes west of the city or a perilous attempt at a dunkerque evacuation under the bombers of the Red air force. The significance which Russia attached to the capture of Odessa, one-time city of 6U4.UOU in which the Red army held out under siegs for two months before It fell o> Oct. 15, 1941, was signalized by the honors which Htalln ordered paid to the captors. For the first time the Black Hea fleet joined in a salute to triumphant Russian forces, firing 12 salvos of 120 cannon ulutard Its warships to hail the liberation of Its big base. In addition. Moscow’s cannon thundered 24 salvos of 324 guns, given previously only to the capture of Kiev, the lifting of the le-ningrad siege, and the Red army's arrival on the Romanian and Cxeihusiov.ik frontiers. Red army cavalry and mobile units swung around Odessa in a flanking maneuver which clamped i .in arc of steel against the Ger- ' mail defenses. Htalln revealed, and Soviet shock troops charged ill to take the city by frontal assault. Thus the combined assault "captured the important enoiiotnlc and political center, the regional town of the Ukraine and first class Black Hea port of Odessa, powerful German defense base which covered th. ways to central Romania." Htalln said in hia order addre-sed to Malinovsky. Meanwhile the German radio reported the evacuation of the "eastern part" of Tarnopol. key city junction in prewar Poland where street fighting had been going on for several days. The ambiguous broadcast did not make clear whether It was an adI mission that Tarnopol had fallen. Berlin coucedvd the fall of Odessa even as Moscow reported Malinovsky's troops blasting their way into th.- city from thiee di* rectlors Soviet dispatches also revealed tha> Hovlet and Czech formations had driven Into old Czechoslovakia and Russian forces slashing down Into northeastern Romania virtually had isolated the key rail center of lari In a push toward the rich Ploestl oil fields. Czech sources here said the Red army had <M-cupled the village of Jarims Ift miles inside the (Turn Ta Pa«a 4. Calams S> TIMPCRATURff READING DEMOCRAT THERMOMETER 8:00 a. m. 47 10:00 a. m. 47 Noon .. 01 2:00 p. m. .... M 8:00 p. nt. ..54 WEATHER Mostly cloudy with shjw>*« and thonOsrstorma Tuesday and in ■south auction tonight; minimum temperatures M degress in eatrems north to 50 degress in extreme eouth; little change in temperatures Tuooday; winds 10 Ito 20 miles psr hour.