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St. Paul Sunday Pioneer Press

CHINESE TRAP JAPS IN BURMA

A well-hidden Chinese force marched 90 miles and struck against the rear of the assaulting Japanese lines. For their efforts the Chinese recaptured the former Allied headquarters of Maymyo, Burma and have made pushes toward Lashio and Mandalay. The sudden maneuver “cut off the main [Japanese] communication route and line of retreat of the Japanese units that pressed so quickly along the Burma road….”

Victory Caravan nets $20,000

Hollywood and radio stars netted $20,000 for Army Navy relief during Saturday’s performance at the St. Paul Auditorium. Gross receipts were $28,329, with 10% going to the Federal Government as tax. Other deductions are being made for expenses.

Don’t have a critical job? Uncle Sam may come for you.

There are about 8.5 million workers in war production right now. That number must be stepped up to 17.5 million by 1943. As a result, the War Manpower commission is considering a process of having every American justify his or her present job or “face assignment to tasks the government considers more vital to victory.”

While such actions are not possible under current legislation, it’s becoming a topic of consideration. “Nothing will be allowed to interfere with war production. Those 9,000,000 jobs will be filled, even if it means industrial conscription,” wrote John Grover for the Wide World.

St. Paul Pioneer Press

8 JAP SHIPS SUNK IN SEA BATTLE

Off the coast of Australia the U.S. Navy took on and sunk a Japanese light cruiser, two destroyers, four gunboats and a supply vessel. These craft were all part a larger threat to America’s supply lines to Australia. Beyond these vessels, four ships were badly damaged and six Japanese planes were destroyed. “The action was carried out with the loss of but three United States planes.”

Exchange ship sets sail

A Swedish liner left New Jersey’s docks yesterday filled with 948 Axis nationals, including ambassadors and ministers. The ship, Drottningholm, is making its way for Lisbon. The ship has been painted brilliant white and the word “Diplomat” has been painted on the side in big, black letters. In the evening the ship will be illuminated with 40 floodlights. Drottningholm is moving across the Atlantic under a safe passage guarantee signed by both sides.

Brits control Madagascar’s port

After two days of fighting British forces now control Madagascar’s naval base, Diego Suarez. The balance of the island remained under control of the Vichy French. The island’s governor, Armand Annet, said in a message that the rest of the island, “ will be defended with the same resolution….”

St. Paul Pioneer Press

British and French Battle In Streets for Navy Base

The battle for Madagascar now hinges on removing Vichy French control of the Diego Suarez naval base at the island’s northern tip. The naval base has been under “pulverizing bombardment from land, sea and air all day Wednesday and far into the night.” The Nazi-aligned French have conceded the loss of four warships and are pledging to take to the hills in a guerilla style effort for control of Madagascar.

The Battle of Madagascar lasted May 5 to November 6, 1942.

Japanese drive into China’s Younan Province

Despite counterattacks from America’s air forces, Japanese ground troops have pushed 50 miles along the Burma road into China’s Younan Province. As the Japanese kept up their push, large American bombers based in India struck the Japanese airdrome at Rangoon again, “adding to their total of 40 planes destroyed and 25 damaged during Monday night’s raid.”

Car seizure measure up for debate

The U.S. Congress will soon debate legislation authorizing the requisition of private automobiles whose owners drive over 40 miles an hour. This move is being considered as a disincentive against speeding, which causes the increased use of rubber. “The officials presented a picture of the rubber situation which was so serious the committee suggested that President Roosevelt explain it to the nation in a radio broadcast.”

St. Paul Pioneer Press

JAP TROOPS ATTACK CORREGIDOR

The U.S. Army announced Tuesday that Japanese forces have landed on Corregidor, the island bastion which defends the Manila Bay. American resistance is being hampered by constant Japanese barrages, and shortages of both food and ammunition. There are nearly 7,000 Filipino and American defenders on Corregidor and other nearby islands. “The attack followed a day which saw the island fortress bombed thirteen times, and shelled continually for a period of five hours.”

Vichy French angered over Madagascar

The pro-Axis, Vichy French government angrily reacted to America’s decision to back the British pre-emptive invasion of Madagascar. Pierre Laval urged that his forces on the island resist the British as a matter of “French honor.” Madagascar has been a French colony since 1896 and the Vichy French government is upset by American warnings to not interfere with control of Madagascar.

St. Paul Pioneer Press

BRITISH SEIZE MADAGASCAR – STEEL BANNED FOR 400 ARTICLES

Understanding Madagascar’s strategic implications for the control of shipping lines in the Indian Ocean, British forces are invading the island. The Allies are worried that this Vichy French held island, 225 miles southeast of Africa, might be used a base for Japanese ships. Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island and the U.S. State Department said it would be held in a trust for the Free French.

Metal Goods Making Halted

The War Production Board halted the production of 400 consumer items routinely made from steel. “From asparagus tongs to amusement park devices the list ranges from beer mugs to bird cages, from compacts to culverts, from door knockers to dishwashing machines…. And so on through the alphabet.” The War Production Board order means, “… that manufacture of these articles will stop for the duration.”

Names released since Pearl Harbor

The Navy department [sic] released the names of 2,991 officers and men from the Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps who have died since Pearl Harbor. The names were released regionally. “California suffered the heaviest losses among the states… Most of the 2,991 officers and men who made up the list of heroic dead lost their lives in action with the enemy, although some were killed in accidents at sea or in the air while on duty directly connected with wartime operations.”

St. Paul Pioneer Press

Nine Army Fliers Killed in Two Bomber Crashes

Two different B-17 Flying Fortress accidents have cost the lives of nine Army airmen and injured three. The first crash was in the Blue mountains near Pendelton Oregon. The explosion killed six.

A separate crash in Tacoma, Washington resulted in the death of three. The aircraft was on a routine flight from McChord Field.

War deaths rise after Philippines accounting

121 soldiers who died defending the Philippines have been added to America’s war dead, bringing the total dead to 3,395 since Pearl Harbor. Most of the 121 deaths occurred during fighting on Bataan. None of the 121 soldiers are from Minnesota. “The war department emphasized the list of Philippine casualties is incomplete and the names of others will be announced periodically.”

Register for sugar ration today

St. Paul elementary schools are open today from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. today to allow residents to register for a sugar ration. Registrations will go through Thursday. To prevent crowding those with names ending in the letters A through E are encouraged to register today. “Every person, regardless of age or of the fact that he does not have any use for sugar, should be registered because the books of stamps, which will be given at this time, may be used for other commodities later on….”