The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1942-02-19
A WEEK OF
THE WAR
Continued from page one)

erve beds have been set up. TIL
House approved an appropriation c
500, 10000 for the OCD. The Wa.
department. cautioned civilians nc,
molest any military aircraf
friendly or enemy, grounded in CIV
IN territory because such plane
ften carry live bombs or ammun
ION.
c War Front
The Navy announced u. S. attacks
IN the Marshall and Gilbert Islands
January 81 inflicted enemy losses
totaling l6 ships and Al planes,
and destroyed fuel storage, ammun;-
ion supplies, hangers and other
facilities of the Japanese. The Navy
said the power and surprise of the
attack was emphasized by destruc-
ton OF approximately IS percent of
he large Japanese bomber force on
he islands and between 60 and 80
ercent of the shipping sighted. u.
$. losses were IL scout bombers mis-
sing and superficial damage to two
ships. The State Department an
nounced that at the request of the
Netherlands Government U. S. Army
to assist in defense Of the islands
and their oil r~efineries.
The Army reported a week Of
sporadic fighting in Bataan and said
reinforced Japanese troops we're pre-
pairing for new assaults. During the
week the Army and Navy reported
at least 20 enemy planes were des-
troyed. U. S. losses included three
tankers sung in the Atlantic, an
Army transport sunk off Hawaii,
and a submarine sung off Panama
after collision with another U. S.
vessel. A Combined Chiefs of
Staff group composed of toprank-
ing U. S. and British military Of
ficials was named to coordinate the
war effort.
President Roosevelt asked Con-
gress for 23 billion dollars in sup
Elemental appropriations for the
Army. The War Department an
bounced the Army Air Force will be
expanded to 1,00O,0 900 officers and
men this year and 100000 in
i943. The President ordered all
personnel of the reserves to active
service at dates to be set by War
,ecretary Stimson. The Presiden.
also ordered Federal departments
and agencies to follow uniform
practices in applying the Selective
Service Act to Federal employees.
Secretary Stimson announced all
men will be immunized against yell
low fever to make them-available
for service in areas where it is
known to exist. He said to relieve
he people of Ulster from added
train the American Army Forces
in Northern Ireland will be supplied
with food and equipment from the
y. S., except for some fresh food
products available in Ireland.
Shipping
American shipyards, now launch
ing ships at the rate Of one-a-day,
will double production within so days
and triple it within six or seven
months, the Maritime Commission
announced. President Roosevelt ask
ed Congress for almost four billion
dollars in cash and contract author
izations to expand the merchant
fleet. The President established a
War Shipping Administration, head
ed by Maritime Commission Chair
man Land, to control operation, pur-
chase, charges, requisition and use
of all U. S. merchant ships to as
sure their most effective use in the
a The Commission awarded a
contract for sc Liberty freighters.
Twenty-three American yachts, for
merly owned by prominent U. S. citi-
zens, have been presented to the
Navy, Coast Guard and Maritime
Commission.
Navy 49,.
The President signed the Navy
Supply Bill carrying "a billion dol
lars in cash appropriations and four
billion dollars in contract authorize
tions, a bill authorizing expenditure
Of $75O,0O0,00 for facilities to
build 1900 minor combatant, aux
iliary and patrol vessels, and legisla-
lot authorizing expenditure of
Si5O,000,0 900 for naval shore facili-
les The House passed and sent to
the Senate a bill to allow commits
sioning of warrant officers as Of
ilcers of the Regular Army. The Navy
asked for loan of binoculars meeting
service requirements, either 6x30 or
7x5O, and said they would be re-
turned after the war is over. The
Navy lowered the minimum age limit
OF mechanic learners from Is to 16
years.
and Conversion
The WPB ordered all radio manu-
%facturers' to convert their facilities
10 war production within four
months. The industry did 5000. OOO.-