Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 May 1944 — Page 1
FORECAST: Partly cloudy with scattered thundershowers tonight and tomorrow; little change in temperature,
VOLUME 55—NUMBER 64
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1944
Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice Indianapolis 9, Ind. Issued daily except Sundsy
PRICE FOUR CENTS
By COLLIE SMALL ~ United Press Staff Correspondent
NINTH AIRFORCE MARAUDER BASE, England, May 25.—The lieutenant stuck his head out from the nose
compartment, wiped his hand
weakly.
across his brow and smiled
Above the sound of the Marauder’s throbbing engines,
tian you never will be one.”
+ 1 heard him yell: “Brother if that didn’t make you a*Chris- _
yewitness: ‘Invasion Coast
He was talking about the thick flak all around us.
I tried to answer, but my
mouth was dry and the gum
which I had been chewing frantically slipped into my
throat. It was just as well
I was too weak to talk.
I have made a lot of jokes in the past about the airforce's old cliche about “flak so thick you could get out and
walk on it.”
I'm not laughing now.
The Marauders went out today to raid rail targets
Home Of No Living Thing’
héads, homeward bound after an early mission. Farther
near Liege, Belgium. Riding in “Jill Flitter,” a tough old
Marauder piloted on her 100th
mission by 1st Lt. Garland
C. Oliver, Sacramento, Cal.,, I watched the spectacle of great armadas wheeling endlessly across the sky in two directions like tremendous schools of silvery fish, swarm-
ing in our Sportsmen’s stream
$s back home.
As we crossed the coast near Dunkerque, a mighty fleet of Flying Fortresses winged majestically over our
down the shoreline were specks of other continent-bound bombers, looking like flies climbing across the blue ceiling. Fighters whizzed diagonally past us on their way to un-
known destinations.
The blue sky was laced with creamy white ribbons,
vapor trails left by formations
we no longer could see.
(Continued on Page 3—Column 2)
AIRS r ’ A ——
Jehs | THE
* i 1 §
DIT'S ; TION'S GEST
Agency Lauded by Ex-Foes
As House Group Backs
Billion Measure. (Table, Page Two) WASHINGTON, May 25 (U. P.).—The house appropriations committee, which a year ago emphasized its contempt for the office of war
information by sharply cur-| gd
tailing its expenditures, today described it as.an agency making &! “valuable contribution” and voted! ® it $20,000,000 more than last year's appropriation. At the same time, the committee, |
fn recommending a $1,033,358,367 §
supply bill to cover expenses of 17] War agencies during the year start- | ing July 1, heaped praise on the | others, even upon the committee for congested production
that its job is done.
Where cuts were made below
budget estimates—the decreases totaled $37,955.058—the committee in virtually all cases said it was acting because of decreased war needs
areas 2 which it is eliminating on the basis be
74 Missions—and Never Fired a Shot
“And then they would come down on us out of the sun like this,” sald 8. Sgt. John D. Baker, hero of 74 combat bombing missions, now
home on furlough.
in particular fields. The total allowed was $1,770,490,175 less than appropriated a year ago, again refecting war needs. Follows Investigations The changed attitude toward OWI followed extensive hearings and investigations that started last summer into its entire operations. The commitiee did not give full credit for what it calls the more effective operation of the domestic branch—which hore the brunt of last year's criticism—to OWI Chief Elmer Davis, for it said: “The domestic branch is fulfilling an important function as now organized and conducted and the committee is glad to report to the houset that its action at the oc session has had a beneficial effect and an improved service from the OWI on the home front.” The committee said the value o propaganda and psychological war. fare has been proven throughout | history and the nation not using them is at as much of a disadvantage as though it were short of men and weapons, Less Than Asked
It pointed out that the Nazis, | who are “past masters” in the art, are now spending about $540,000,000 8 year for these purposes, as against the total of $58,625,367 which would | be allowed the OWI next year under | the committee recommendation, The proposed appropriation is $5,764,633 less than asked, but $20,- | 402,863 more than allowed for the current fiscal period Which ends June 30. The entire increase over the 1944
(Continued on Page 3—Column 1)
160,000 Aircraft Produced in U. S. Since War Began
WASHINGTON, May 25 (U. P). «Here is the war production record of the United States since Pearl Harbor: 160,000 planes. 225,000 artillery pieces. 130,000 tanks and other combat vehicles. 1,300,000 military trucks. 31,500,000 dead-weight tons of merchant shipping. 4,000,000 displacement tons of
ig
gaval shipping. — The figures were given by War Production Chairman Donald M. Nelson before a house appropriations subcommittee and made public today.
TIMES FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES
| dent of the Continental Optical Co.
|the bill to extend the Small War
BULLETIN
WASHINGZON, May 25 (U. P.). ~The navy announced today that an explosion and fire on an ammunition-laden landing craft at Pearl Harbor on Sunday destroyed several small vessels, and caused “some loss of life” and injuries, oo
OITES TAX LOAD ON SMALL FIRMS
Senate Committee Told Heavy Levees Prevent Expansion.
Unless business is relieved of excessive taxation after the war, it will be practically impossible to ex- | tend any kind of help to small busi- | ness which will enable it to expand, Howard T. Griffith, president of the Udell Works, told the U. 8S. senate’s sub-committee on small business here today. Similar opinions were voiced by J. W. Dunn of the Rockwood Manu- { facturing Co. and T. S. Hood, presi-
as the two-day public hearing on
Plants Corp. into the post-war era came to an end at the Indianapolis Athletic club. These three men were the first to voice vigorous objections to the bill. The seven persons testifying yesterday favored the bill generally. Opposes Agency Interest in the measure is high among businessmen because it is the first of several expected bills to prolong the life of wartime governmental through the post-war period. Objections listed by Mr. Griffith, similar to the objections raised by Mr. Dunn and Mr. Hood, were: “This bill would project one or more wartime agencies in the postwar business picture. I am opposed. to that because I think the war agencies should be dissolved as soon
1(Continued on Page 3—Column 3)
PRESENT AWARDS TOR. 0.T. C. UNITS
Manual, Shortridge, Crispus
7|Ruth Millett. . 14
Attucks Take Part.
{ i
Hl
Sgt. Baker Back From Italy After Record Combat Tour.
By VICTOR PETERSON IN ALL HIS 74 missions as a gunner on an A-20 twin-engined bomber, 8. Sgt. John D. Baker has never fired a shot at an enemy plane. We cocked a doubtful eye at Hat, » 354 xe did it again when t his beardless, youthful ke as i announced he was 21. He said it with a look of “you'd better believe it, too." He is the son of Mrs. Fern Baker, 1536 N. Rural ‘st. But whether he is 13, 18, 21 or
JUNCTION OF ARMIES IN ITALY
PAVES WAY FOR ROME ASSAULT; 7000 PLANES HAMMER EUROPE
Yank Pincers Jars France From 2 Directions.
LONDON, May 2% (U. P.).— Russia has agreed to approach the Japanese government regarding the treatment of British prisoners of war in the Far East, Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden told commons today.
LONDON, May 25 (U. P.). —American heavy bombers struck 1000 strong from Britain at French and Belgian air and rail centers today and another big Italy-based force made the deepest penetration of Prance from the south to hammer Lyon and Toulon. The Flying Fortresses and Liberator fleets clamping. an aerial pincers on vital German strongholds in France spearheaded allied forces totaling perhaps 7000 planes which rounded out an unbroken week of record assaults on the Nazi antiinvasion defenses. The 8th air force sent 1000 heavy bombers with a fighter escort nearly as strong against perhaps a dozen targets in northeastern Frafhce and Belgium, including airdromes and major rail yards. Twelve of the American heavies and four escorting fighters were lost in the big sweep, but the fighters shot down nine enemy planes.
Raids Widespread
(Continded of on Page 7—Column B)
MODERATOR'S POST
Presbytery Elects Today in
Chicago.
By EMMA RIVERS MILNER Times Church Editor CHICAGO, Ill, May 25.—Spurred by encouraging support from all parts of the nation, Hoosier Presbyterians worked energetically today in promoting Dr. Roy Vale of Indiafiapolis for the office of moderator of the general assembly of the Presbyterian church in the U.S A. The meeting of the general assembly opened here yesterday in the Fourth Presbyterian church with the retiring moderator's sermon and the Holy Communion. celebrated by nine clergymen, assisted by 60 elders. The retiring mod-
DR, VALE BACKED FOR ::
(Continued on Page 3—Column 4) |
Thousands of other allied raiders streaked out across the channel durthe day in attacks on widespread targets after hundreds of Buti bombers had blasted by t at Berlin, the rail center of hight Antwerp, and other enemy bases in France and Belgium, The American targets included freight yards at Mulhouse, Belfort, Sarreguemines, Charleroi, Blainville, Metz and Thionville in northeastern France and the Brussels and Liege yards in Belgium. Air fields near Nancy and Bretigny, France, and Antwerp and Brussels also were attacked. Other U. S. heavy bombers plastered the Piacenza air field 40 miles southeast of Milan, the Montfalcone harbor and other objectives in northern Italy.
Rail Yards ‘Well Hit’
Rail yards were the main targets at Lyon and Toulon. In the latter area the Carnoules yards 15 miles northeast of Toulon were “well hit,” returning crewmen reported. Other Italy-based American and British planes had a field day over Italy, gunning and bombing German transport and concentrations
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and retire to mountain positions in
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The Apzie beachhead forces have made a juncture with main front American troops of the 5th army near Lake Fogliano (where arrows meet), forcing the Germans to retreat from the entire coastal area
defense of Rome.
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FRC OSINONE
DE GAULLE GROUP FAVORED BY EDEN
States Their heir Government, Will Be Recognized.
LONDON, May 25 (U. P.).—Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden said today that Gen. Charles de Gaulle's French Committee of National Liberation will be recognized as the acting government of all parts of metropolitan France as rapidly as the sections are occupied by allied invasion armies. Winding up a two-day debate in commons on foreign affairs, Eden said the allied armies would deal with the committee in all matters affecting" metropolitan France as “the French authority which will exercise leadership in France as the liberation progresses.”
LOCAL TEMPERATURES
(Continued on Page 3—Column 5)
6a.m.....66 10am..... kk] Tam..... 6 1llam..... 80 S8am.....7 12 (Noon)... 82 9a. m..... ki] lpm... 84
"Otto N. Frenzel, a member of In-
which has been prominent in banking circles since the city’s early his-
of the Indiana Bankers association. Mr. Frenzel, who is president of the Indiana Trust Co. and vice president of the Merchants National
-dianapolis’ Frenzel banking family
tory, today took over as president -
Indiana Bankers’ Association Here Elects Otto N. Frenzel to Presidency for Year
Judge Deplores Big Increase in
hild Weddings
By NOBLE REED
A WAVE of child marriages |
here, involving children as young as 14 along with reports of many so-called “gin weddings” among transient military personnel during week-end parties in Indianapolis today spurred public officials to seek elimination of license abuses. Juvenile court records disclosed an alarming increase in marriages among children who have been giving false information on their birth dates in applications for marriage licenses. Also the all-time high divorce rate in Marion county during the last year was blamed by judges mostly on hasty and silly marriages contracted during a moment of frivolity. Judge Mark W. Rhoads of juvenile court in an open letter today appealed to County Clerk A. Jack Tilson to try to stop some of the child marriages before the licenses are issued. Judge Rhoads urged Mr. Til-
(Continued on Page 7—Column 2)
Hoosier Heroes—
FIVE MORE AIRMEN
LISTED AS MISSING
Three Local Men Lost in
Raids Over Europe.
FIVE MORE HOOSIER army air force crewmen are missing following raids over Germany and Italy. They are: ‘8S. Sgt. John D. Burke Jr, 4025 Washington blvd. . Sgt. Richard A. Schmutte, 3314
|N. Tiinois st.
S. Sgt. Marion Mason, 3520 E. Fall
{Creek pkwy.
8. Sgt. Norbert J. Arvin, R. R. 2,
| Montgomery, Daviess county. : Second Lt. John J. Megan,
YANK ROCKET GUNS
: Trap Is Set Upon
17 Divisions of Nazis.
WASHINGTON, May 25 (U.P.). ~The 60-mile advance scored by American elements of the 5th army moving northward in Italy during the past 14 days was accomplished by new divisions comprising the 2d army corps, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson revealed today. French elements in the 5th army likewise were fresh troops, he said. Stimson gave a large measure of oredit for the advance to a newly devised system of throwing fresh troops into combat. He did not identify the fresh divisions,
By REYNOLDS PACKARD United Press Staff Correspondent
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS, Naples, May 25.— Fifth army columns from the Anzio beachhead and the main front to the southeast
joined forces early today, a special communique announced, setting a trap for 17 outflanked enemy divisions and paving the way for an assault on Rome. (Military observers in London sald the junction foreshadowed the early fall of Rome, though they acknowledged that the allied march on the capital may be delayed un-
LONDON, May 25 (U.P.).~The Berlin radio sald last night that the official German news agency had told all editors to be prepared to record a “possible special announcement” this Sunday.
DESTROY NAZI SUB
Navy Reveals Aircraft Use New Type Weapons.
WASHINGTON, May 25 (U. P.). ~The navy announced today that American submarines have sunk 15 more Japanese ships, including a .destroyer, to maintain their average of better than one enemy vessel a day. These latest successes—the third group announced this month—raised to 573 the number of Japanese ships sent to the bottom by U. S. submarines.
WASHINGTON, May 25 (U. P). —The navy revealed today that aircraft rocket guns have been in use
‘Where's That
By UNITED PRESS
“WHERE THE hell do you think you're going?” “I came up here to make contact with the Anzio forces.” “Well, you made it.” Two American soldiers met on the Italian coastal highway five miles south of the Mussolini canal today and with that laconic exchange marked the historic juncture of the main allied 5th
ITALY-—Fifth army from Anzio beachhead and main front joins forces, paving way for assault on
BURMA—Allied troops beat off new mpm on out-
(Continued on Page 3—Column b
til an attempt can be made to anni. hilate the enemy divisions to the southeast.) The junction was effected by patrols from the two forces a few miles southeast of the bridgehead on the Anzio-Terracina coastal highway, the communique said. “This brings to a climax a spec-
! tacular advance of the 5th army of
more than 60 miles in only 14 days,” the communique added. Only a few hours earliér, the official German DNB news agency acknowledged that the axis forces had withdrawn last night from the entire coastal sector between the two forces to a “shorter line” in the mountains northeast of the Appian way. The junction gave the allies a continuous land front up to within 20 air miles of Rome—the northwestern end of the bridgehead, A subsidiary statement issued by
(Continued on Page 3-iCoum 7)
Anzio Beer?’
One G. I. Joe Asks Another
army with Anzio beachhead forces. The meeting was reported by the Columbia Broadcasting system, CBS Correspondent Eric Sevareid reported the meeting ina special broadcast from the front. He identified the two soldiers as Lt. Francis Buckley, Philadelphia, attached to the main Sth army,
(Continued on Page 7—Column ¢) » s 2
On the War Fronts
(May 25, 1944)
RUSSIA—Soviet: guards repul ' series of Nazi attachs ou |
|PACIFIC—American 4 troops cross Tor. river New