Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 43, Number 56, Decatur, Adams County, 7 March 1945 — Page 1

KURD ARMY RIPS THROUGH GERMAN LINES

ffigrh Waters Flood Lowlands

lousands Os ■amilies Flee ■aging Wafers ■ Ohio River Waters I On Rampage, Eight ■ Persons Known Dead ■ By United Press ■'looil waters of the Ohio river over lowlands from Pitts* ■„ h to Cairo, 111., today. of families fled from homes along ,the twisting ■ rse of the river nearly 1,000 ■les long. ■rhe most critical point along ■ Ohio was at Portsmouth, 0., ■..,. the swollen river threaten- ■ 1() sweep aside an emergency ■rricade of sandbags. The barribroke at one point, and ■trials feared the turbulent ■’..r might sweep over the indus■al city of 40,000 population. All ■ailable state guardsmen were ■dried to join the brigade work- ■ on the flood wall. from the flood was ■timated at $1,000,000 in Cincin■<i alone. ■w, stern Pennsylvania, West ■rginia. Ohio, and Kentucky ■eiv the hardest hit. Other flood ■air.s rolled across the river val■s of southern Indiana and Illi- ■<. and Mississippi and Arkan■Eiaht persons were known ■ad. High waters lapped around plants, forcing them into Thousands of schools ■ere closed. ■About il.mm families were homebetween Pittsburgh and ■raisville. Another 1,000 persons ■»! from their homes in Indiana, ■til 1.700 evacuated river bottom in Illinois. high water forced coal to close in some sections, other areas armories and pubbuildings were used as dormi- ■>» for flood refugees. At Ros.■are, 111,, grocery store employes the stock from their ■>o<ied sthre and set up shop in a church. ■The weather bureau forecast weather for the Ohio river The forecaster at Chicago the temperature drop prob- ■? would not be great enough ■ check the flood, however. ■The flood in the Ohio valley to be the worst since The main areas hit by the water were: ■ Pennsylvania — An estimated mine, mill, and shipyard ■>rkers were forced into idle- ■* 88 ,- The American Bridge com- ■* B y plant at Cambridge, Pa.. os?| l down. Six open hearth at the Jones and Laughsteel plant in Pittsburgh were Th® water was seven ■ (Tll rn To Page 2. Column 2) ■ ern ’ n 9 Memorial ■®fvice On Sunday ■ Memorial services for Pvt. Ar- ■ lT L - Berning, IS-yearaHd eon of ■‘■ and Mrs. Fred C, Berning, De- ■ route 1, who was killed in BL. January 27 while 6erv■ifnn'• S2 . 2nfan,l t 'y unit in Lux- ■”® rg, win be held Sunday at■L T at 2 °' c 'l°ok at the St. K .uv hCTan churc! ’- Decatur A - B °”- ■e si T i t ni . ing was a member of ■ r«idPn°’ n£ Lutheran church and KZ nt ® Allen county and was ■r»hi n l I1 , {a,lmin ® ia Marion ■ a!y k iS ,e H eilt^i ng the amy ■ae recoi,. j ' ls Daaic training ■‘'"■r afu -i 4 CaWp Hood - Tex - sent 0,88,1 last December, he tho ° verseas - Survivors oe* ■tt W are one brother, ■d Leila tWO sist erß, Ottilie ■ °2cRAT T t RE REAC "’S ■ 8:00 a CR^ T THer MOMETER ■ m - - 28 II 2:00 p ;i'- 29 P W - — 29 ■ CIu riB WEA THER ■ Th|, '*l»v 9 f»| B- C ° ld * r ton '9ht. S rale and warmer. ■ll I

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Reports Anti-Nazis Revolts Spreading (London, 'March 7 —(UP)— The Moscow radio said today that, riotous anti-Nazi demonstrations are spreading imside Germany and taking on the appearance of an insurrection. o Hoosier Families Homeless By Flood Threat Is Lessened Os Major Disaster By United Prese Cold weather added to the misery of more than 1,000 families in southern Indiana, made homeless by floods on the Ohio and Wabash rivers and smaller streams today. However, the promise of a cessation of rainfall and of clearing skies lessened the threats of a major disaster in the south and eliminated much of the danger in the north and central parts of the state. Brig. Gen, Elmer W. Sherwood, Indiana adjutant general, directed emergency relief work of eight state agencies, including disaster committees of the American Red Cross. Sherwood mobilized Indiana state guard units at Madison, Salem and New Albany under the command of Maj. Marehall D. Lemmon of New Albany to assist in removing isolated families, livestock and personal property along the Ohio river. The principal suffering and danger were reported at Lawrenceburg, where an appeal for emergency food' was made; Madison, where more than 100 families were homeless; Aurora, two-third under water; Cannelton, where power was shut off, and in the Mt. Vernon area. Sherwood’s office said reports from the stricken areas along the Ohio indicated that the flood crest of the stream would be eight to 10 feet below the disastrous overflow of 1937. Rep. Ben Herr, R., Lebanon, coordinating calls for assistance in ithe adjutant general's department, said that an early thaw and improved protective measures would (Turn To Page 2, Column 3) 0 ’War Os Nerves' On / Coal Miners Strike Operators Split On At Least One Issue Washington, Mar. 7. — (UP) — John L. Lewis subjected the nation to a growing “war of nerves” today over whether his United Mine Workers will call a soft coal strike on March 31. The burley UMW president apparently has divided the bituminous operatore on at least one issue and avoided tipping his hand on the new contract demands for which he would call a strike. The present contract expires March 31. The apparent split among the mine operators became evident yesterday when they about-faced on plans to give Lewis a formal reply on his most controversial re-quest—a-10-centa-a-ton royalty on all soft coal mined in the country. One group wanted the reply issued at once; a spokesman said it would require Lewis to “tip his hand” on any plan to call a strike over that demand. But a majority finally decided that an answer now might give Lewis a chance to stomp out of dhe meeting and accuse them of forcing a breakdown in the negotiations. The operatore proposed instead that (the parties discuss more of the UMW demands. This action prevented the development of any dispute warranting a summons for government conciliators who are observing the progress of the daily negotiations. Operators and the UMW estimated that 10 days to two weeks would be required to cover in detail all of the other aspects of the con(Turn To Fags 2, Column 6)

Marines Battle To Smash Japs On Iwo Island — Embattled Enemy Fight Like Madmen To Prolong Defeat Guam, Mar. 7. —(UP) —Three marine divisions crawled and fought foot, by foot toward the north coast of Iwo today in a general offensive to smash the last organized resistance on the tiny, bloody island. The last 5,000 or so Japanese crowded into the rocky, steaming northeast corner of volcanic Iwo were battling like madmen <to delay Jinal defeat. Their backs to the sea, they poured withering mortar, machinegun and rifle fire into the ranks of the advancing marines. Knives and bayonets flashed in close quarter combat when positions were overrun. Gains were measured in feet and yards. The end may come suddenly under unremitting marine pressure, or the last thirst-crazed Japanese may expend their remaining strength in a bloody “banzai” suicide charge. A total of 14,456 Japanese dead had been counted by 6 p. m. yesterday for the 16-day campaign. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, more enemy dead remained behind the Japanese lines. Though the garrison originally was estimated at 20,000, officers now believed the numer actually was closer to 25,000. The third-, fourth and fifth marine divisions, already firmly holding four-fifths of Iwo, launched their general offensive against the remaining enemy positions yesterday morning after the most intense American artillery bombardment of tne entire campaign. Naval guns and carrier* planes also supported the attack. By 6 p. m. yesterday, however, only “small local gains” had been made against very stiff resistance, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz reported in a communique. — o Wodehouse Released From Paris Hospital Paris, Mardh 7—<(U'P)—(French police have released P. (5. Wodehouse, English novelist, from detention in a Paris hotel, it was learned today. He had been held at the hospital since December following investigation of his broadcasts from Berlin. o Italian Political Crisis Heightens Mob Attack Is Made On Prison in Rome Rome, Mar. 7. — (UP) —A mob attack on Reginia Coeli prison, two more bombings and other scattered violence heightened the -political crisis threatening to overthrow (the Bonomi government today. The executive committee of the communist party issued a formal warning that all communist ministers and undersecretaries will resign unless Premier Ivanoe Bonomi immediately effects wide-sweeping changes in Italy's internal politics. Bonomi presided at an extraordinary cabinet meeting starting at 8 a. m. The meeting was called to discuss the crisis, which was touched off by the escape of Gen. Mario Roatta, one of Italy's principal war criminals, from a military hospital Sunday night. Received by Bonomi last night, demonstrators demanded the immediate resignation of his government and the absolition of the Carabinieri, from whom Roattta had escaped' in the midst of his trial. They charged the government with laxity, if not complicity, in connection with the escape. No deaths were reported in the new outbreaks of rioting, but a second victim of bombs thrown dur(Turn To Pare 2, Column 4).

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, March 7,1945.

Yanks, Canucks Meet In Gelbern I ' W I Jfelt ML 4 -A It I '■ k : JwKS SHOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME in this picture is the joining of forces of the U. S. Ninth Army and Canadian First Army, as foot soldiers from both meet in Gelbern, Germany. The junction of the two armies cut off two Nazi armies, and brought up strong Allied lines to stamp out the biggest of he Rhine pockets and fight the battle of the Ruhr basin. This Signal Corps photo was transmitted via a mobile station somewhere in Holland.

Two Local Soldiers Are Killed In Action One In Philippines, Second In Germany Two Decatur men have been killed in alction with the armed forces, one in Germany and the other on Luzon in the Philippines. Pfc. Merle C. Dick, 22, an infantryman with Gen. Patton’s Third army, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl , Dick of 903 N. Tenth street, for- . merly of Geneva, was killed in action in Germany on Feb. 23, . the parents were advised last evening. The young infantryman entered the army in December, 1942, and went overseas last July, He received basic training at Camp Phillips, Kan., was on maneuvers in Tennessee and received specialized training at Camp McCain, Miss. Pfc. Dick was born in Lancaster township, Wells county, on May 5, 1922. He was graduated from the Lancaster high school and prior to entering the army was employed at the Magnavox company. The family moved here from Geneva. The father is employed here at the Central Soya company. An elder son, Pvft. Clarence V. Dick, 25, was wounded in action in Luxembourg!!, on Jan. 20, and is now confined to a hospital in England. He is married and his wife and two children reside in Ossian. Pfc. Dick's engagement to Miss Betty Garton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Garton, 610 South street, Bluffton, had been announced. They planned to be married as soon as he returned from overseas duty. Besides the parents and one brother, the soldier is survived by three sisters, Peggy Lou, Patty Ann and Nina Jane, at home. Pfc. Truman F. Krueckeiberg, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Krueckeberg, of Union township, Decatur route five, a member of the First Cavalry division, was killed in the invasion of Luzon on Feb. 15, the war department notified the parents last night. The Decatur soldier entered the army on Jan. 19, 1942, taking basic training at Fort Bragg, N. C.. and specialized training at Fort Sill, Okla., Camp Carson and Camp Hale in Colorado and at Fort Bliss, Texas. He went overseas in July, 1943 and was attached to the armed forces under the command of General Mad Arthur. Pfc. Krueckeiberg was born in Union township. He attended the Emanuel Lutheran grade school and was graduated from Monmouth high school. Prior to entering the arm}’ he was employed at the Cen(Turn To Page 2, Column 1)

Returning Veterans Entitled To Increase (Washington, March 7. —(UP)*— When a returning veteran resumes his old job, he is entitled to all length-of-servicei wage increases granted in his absence and which he would have gained if continuously employed. This principle was stated by the war labor board today in affirming a decision handed down by the Chicago regional board in a dispute between Marmon-iHarrington Co., Indianapolis, ind., and the United Automobile Workers (CIO). Overtime Session Os Assembly Ends State Legislature Overlaps 20 Hours Indianapolis, March 7 • —(UP)’ — The 1945 session of the Indiana General assembly was history today. but before the 84th legislature adjourned, it had outlived its 83 predecessors. Gavels in the senate and house of representatives , ended the lawmaking activity last night — 20' hours and 17 minutes past the constitutional deadline. The house adjourned first at 8:11 p. m. Six minutes later, Lt. Gov. Richard T. James dismissed the upper branch. It was the first time in Hoosier history that a regular session had extended into the night of the 62nd day. 'Previously, however, the assemblies had violated the constiuttion by stopping clocks at 11:59 p. m. on the 61st day and continuing in session until all work was finished. The previous record was 4 p. m. of the 62nd day, set by the 1939 assembly. The labor shortage, held responsible for many situations these wartime days, was blamed in part for the length of the session. But a record number of bills jammed the legislative machinery and helped prolong the session. Only 12 to 100 representatives and four of 50 senators were on hand when house speaker Hobart Creighton, R., Warsalw, and James signed the last bills to be enrolled. The last three bills to leave the enrolling rooms included two of the major measures of the session —The biennial budget bill and the liquor measure. Both were lengthy, and considered so important by Republican leaders that they deserved unually careful checking. Chief delay, however, was caused by scrutiny of the GOP-sponsor-ed election code measure. Constituting 470-pages, the measure was checked and double-checked by (Turn To Pagie 2, Column 4)

Powerful Offensive By Third Army Smashes 40 Miles Before Coblenz

Takes Insect Powder To Commit Suicide Brazil, Ind., March 7 —(UP) — Insect powder, taken internally, was iblamed today by authorities for the death yesterday of Mrs. Elizabeth Butte 18, a restaurant operator. Police were unable to discover a reason for suicide. 0 Yanks Prepare Final Drive On Luzon Island Americans Close In On Summer Capital On Luzon Island Manila, Mar. 7 — (UP) —American troops closed in on the former summer capital of Baguio today as the sixth army prepared for a final assault against the Japanese on Luzon. (A Japanese Domei agency dispatch, recorded by FCC, said a “full-scale battle was imminent in the Montalban area. 12 miles northeast of Manila, with American artillery already shelling the enemy positions.) A front report said that troops of the first corps already were nearing the city limits of Baguio, which once was the headquarters for Lt. Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita’s Japanese forces in the Philippines. It was not disclosed from which direction the Americans were approaching Baguio, one of the principal cities in northern Luzon. The last reported U. S. positions in that area were Santa Rosa, 17 miles to the southeast, and camp one, 14 miles to the southwest. The surprise thrust toward Baguio was revealed as Gen. Douglas MacArthur announced that Lt. Gen. Walter Krueger’s sixth army was preparing for a final drive to clear Luzon of the Japanese invaders. “Throughout all sectors,” MacArthur said, “our troops are regrouping for the final phases* of (Turn To Pagie 2, Column 4) Fifth Army Seizes Heights In Italy Key Town Taken By Brazilian Troops Rome, Mar. 7. —(UP)—American mountain troops of the fifth army have seized three more important Apennine heights in a three-day drive while supponting Brazilian troops to the right captured th£ key town of Gastelnuovo, 13 miles southwest of Bologna, headquarteaid today. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the Germans and 1,200 prisoners were taken, including a battalion commander and his staff. The drive, described as a “limited objective attack,” was reported accomplished with “relatively few" casualties. Headquarters announced today that the Americans had captured Mount Della Casteliana, Mounte Della Spe, and Mount. Granj d’ Aiano and the mountain village of Castel d-’ Aiano, about 21 miles southwest of Bologna. Fighters and fighter bombers supported all of the attacks, striking enemy gun positions, troop concentrations, and transport. Thunderbolt fighters of Brig.-Gen. Benjamin W. Chidlaw’s 22nd air command pounded enemy occupied points directly behind German lines in the Mount Belvedere and Mount Torraccia sectors. One formation destroyed four buildings and started large fires in the bivouac area nearby. • 4 „

Russian Army Launches Big Berlin Drive German, Russian Reports Indicate Big Push Underway London, Mar. 7. —(UP) —The Germans said (today that the Red army had started a powerful offensive aimed at Berlin and was storming the Oder river defense line 30-odl miles east of the capital on both sides of Kuestrin and north of Frankfurt. Both German and Russian re-, ports indicated that Marshal Gregory K. Zhukov's flrsit White Russian army was shoving off on the big push to Berlin. The German high command said ' Soviet tanks, troops, and artillery ' were hammering the defenses around Kuestrin, key citadel on the ! east bank of the Oder 38 miles east of Berlin, and north of Frankfurt, ' west bank strong point 33 miles ■ from the capital. A Nazi communique said the pre- ’ liminary aim of the Russins was ' to “gain basic positions for major ! operations”—apparently solid footholds across the Oder to use as ’ springboards againtst Berlin. ' The high command said the ’ Soviet attacks failed against de-' termined defense and counterblows. But signs from both Berlin and Moscow hinted that Zhukov might already have a more or less solid ' bridgehead across the river. He , won several after reaching the ' Oder a month ago, but their status was blacked out later. Moscow gave tacit confirmation to the Nazi reports that 'the big ’ push against Berlin was on. The government newspaper Izvestia 1 said that “on all roads leading to Berlin there is visible evidence of i the furious battles our troops now . are waging.” (Turn To Page 2, Column 6) . o Smoke Causes Damage ! To Decatur Residence Considerable smoke damage was caused late Tuesday afternoon at the Harvey residence, Indiana and Seventh street, when an oil stove in the kitchen became out of control. No fire damage was caused but the home was consideralbly damaged by smoke. The Decatur fire department was called. o War Bond Purchases ' Over SIOO,OOO Mark ' Report Issued For Month Os February Citizens of Adams county con- ' tinued their splendid record of war bond purchases last month, with total sales $108,196 for February reported today by Earl ' Caston, co-chairman of the Adams ' county war finance committee. While no definite quota has been set in recent months, the ' county has consistently been 1 over the SIOO,OOO mark each ! month. Decatur again far outstripped - other communities in the county, 1 residents of this city purchasing all but approximately $20,000 of > the bonds' bought during the - month. • No quota has been set for March. Mr. Caston stated, hut • the county committee is making ' plans for the seventh war loan I drive, which will open in April. > The breakdown of sales by the ; various areas in the county folt lows: Berne $13,731.25; Decatur SBB,i 371; Geneva $4,275; Monroe $525; Preble $1,293.75.

Price Four Cents.

Lightning Thrust By American Army Turns Withdrawal Into A Near Rout Paris, Mar. 7—(CP)—Lt. Gen. George S. Patton's American third army struck within 10 miles of the middle Rhine today in a powerful offensive that ripped almost 40 miles in 48 hours through the center of the German lines before Coblenz. In a lightning thrust that apparently caught the Germans ip the process of pulling their Eifel mountain line back to the Rhine, tanks and motorized infantry columns of Patton’s fourth armored division broke loose in the Nazi rear and turned an orderly enemy withdrawal into a near rout. Vanguards of the fourth division were closing on Mayen, 15 miles west-southwest of Coblenz and only about 10 miles west pi the Rhine city of Andernach. German resistance broke under the American armored drive, and field dispatches said Patton's' hard-riding tankmen swept up vast quantities of German arms and supplies and hundreds of prisoners in their path. The Nazis still were fighting hard on either flank of the fourth armored division, but Berlin broadcasts indicated they were beginning to pull out of the entire Eifel mountain region in an attempt to escape envelopment. Vanguards of the American first army barely 25 miles to the north already were at the outskirts of the Rhine city of Bonn, 12 miles south of captured Cologne, in position to wheel southward along the river for a junction with Patton’s troops. The German DNB news agency, which had been hinting at a general Nazi withdrawal behind the Rhine, said all German troops between Cologne and Neuss, 18 miles to the north, had been pulled back to the east bank of the river. DNB said the Germans took "all weapons and heavy equipment. with them,” which appeared at least questionable in view of the destruction of the Rhine, bridges in the Neuss and Cologne areas. Patton's spectacular end run through the rugged Eifel mountains covering Coblenz momentarily overshadowed the great Allied victory to the north, where the Rhineland capital of Cologne fell almost without a struggle and three Allied a*» lies were massing for a plunge across the Rhine in(Turn To Page 6, Column 1) a William H. Davis To Succeed Vinson Senators Confirm Vinson Nomination Washington, Mar. 7. (UP) — Chairman William H. Davis of the war labor board will succeed' Fred M. Vinson as director of economic stabilization, the White House announced today. Vinson was confirmed by (the senate yesterday as the new federal loan administrator. He will take over his new duties tomorrow. George W. Taylor, now vi<e chairman of the WLB, will become its chairman. Davis and Vinson have been among the most prominent figures in the administration program to combat inflation. Taylor is generally credited with being the author of the “little steel” formula of wage stabilization. Davis been head of the WLB ■since Ms formation and has had in- • timate knowledge of virtually every major wartime wage dispute. Red Cross Fund County’s quota $16,700.00 Donated to date 2,444.87 Turn to page 4 for list of section reports.