davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
War Reporter
In Hollywood
Hates Place
BY FREDERICK C. OTHMAN
UNITED Press Hollywood Corre-
SpOndent.l

Hollywood, June 21-(UP)-War
Correspondent c. r. Cunningham,
suddenly finding himself in Holly
wood to supervise production of the
Ernie Pyle movie, emerged from be-
hind the kleig lights today to an
nounce that he wished he were back
at the front in Italy.
"Where life is peaceful" he said,
rubbing a sleepless eye, land all is
serene"
AS one of the United Press star
war reporters, Fss1nningham went
through the African, Sicilian and
early italian campaigns with Pyle
as his tent-mate; when producer
Lester Cowan started production of
a picture based upon Pyle's daily
stories on the infantrymen, Cum
nmgham was detached from active
DUTY to serve as story consultant,
technical adviser, and actor.
so what happened?" moaned
Cunningham. The day all nv pals
marched into Rome, was at a cock
tan party with some movie beauties.
who, I now can report, are no diff
terent from ladies anywhere else.
That was bad enough, but the night
OF the invasion, you know where I
WASP watching a rhumba contest
with CoWan at place called the
Irocadero. That was the climax"
When Cunningham arrived in
hollywood, he spent four straight
hours telling the writer's of "The
story OF G. !. Joe" what they didn't
know about Pyle.
Then" he said, they gave me
Continued on Page a
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
Take 2 More
AirfieIds
BY DON CASWELL

United Press War Correspondent
Allied Headquarters, South Pacific,
June 2l.-(UP)-Sixth Army troops
virtually completed the conquest of
Biak island in Dutch New Guinea
today with the capture of the en-
emy's two remaining airfields to
bring the American front lines less
than 300 miles from the Philip
pines.
With tank forces spearheading the
attack, the infantrymen broke
through the last Japanese resist
ance in Biak's northern hills and
occupied Borokoe and Sorido air.
dromes yesterday almost without
opposition.
After taking the two airstripS, the
enemy'S only remaining developed
installations on the island, the
troops set out after the scattered
Japanese retreating rapidly toward
Sorido village, three quarters of a
mile northwest of Sorido air field.
A spokesman at Gen. Douglas
MacArthur's headquarters said the
Japanese losses on Biak were heavy
and predicted that the remainder
probably won't be troublesome
hereafter"
ince the Americans landed on
Biak May a. more than 1920 enemy
dead have been counted on the
battlefields where the japanese put
up some of the stiffest resistance
OF the southwest Pacific warfare.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
DistiIIers To
Make Whisky

Washington, June 81. (UP)-The
bottles Of brandy, rum and wine
which have dominated U. s. liquor
store window displays for two years
soon will be Joined for a brief spell
by that vanishing American-the
bottle Of whiskey.
DiStillerS expect to pour an extra
200 900, 900 quarts of blended whiskey
about five pints for every adult
American-on the market in the
next three or four months with the
blessing of the federal government.
War Production Chief Donald M.
Nelson gave the signal for turning
on the spigot when he notified dis
tillers yesterday that their August
output of war alcohol will not be
needed, thus clearing the way for
resumption Of beverage alcohol pro-
duction.
The action came at a time when
the liquor industry was planning
t cut to a mere trickle the already
drastically reduced flow of whiskey
to the retailer.
Not a single drop Of the amber
colored beverage has been made
since October 8, 1912, when the in
dutry was converted to 100 per cent
industrial alcohol production. Ac-
cording to industry statistics, the
country now has In reserve only
900, 1000, 600 gallons, compared with
the normal pre-war stock of $780,
100000 gallons.
Industry sources said the psyche
logical effect of Nelson's action
may result in more abundant re-
tail whiskey supplies than the fig-
ures indicate.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
Rain Death.
Destruction On Berlin
tsignal Corps Radiotelephoto from NEA Telepl

London, June 81. - CUP
More than 1000 American
heavy bombers and fighters
struck one of the heaviest
blows of the war at Berlin to-
day, kindling. furnace-like
fires which threw off a cur
tain of smoke that almost
obscured the sprawling city.
Nazi broadcaStS said part
of the massive raiding fleet
flew east beyond Berlin, sug-
costing the possibility that
they might have gone on to
Russian bases in a shuttle
attack from Britain.
Several relatively small forma-
tons of German fighters tried to
break through the Gordon Of some
1000 Thunderbolts, Mustangs and
Lightnings protecting the more than
1000 flying fortresses and Liberia
tors.
The raiders flew through one OF
the most intense anti-aircraft bar
RACES yet thrown up in defense OF
Berlin to smash at the city itself
and its Basdorf suburb for the first
time since the invasion Of France,
AS the Liberator section Of the
fleet approached Berlin about go
Messerschmitts reared at the bomb
ers, but massed machine gun fire
and the counter action Of the es-
corts forced them to veer away and
they never got reformed for a sus-
tanned attack.
Another combat wing of fortress
es was attacked by nearly so twin
engineer Junkers 88s designed pri-
marily for night fighting. They
broke off contac twhen they failed
to divert the bombers from their
course.
Despite occasional clouds, the
CONTINUED on Page A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
oyIor Sees
Pope Plus

Vatican City, June 21.-(UP)-
Pope Plus XII today conferred for
40 minutes with President Roose-
velt's personal emissary. Myron c.
Taylor, in his private library, re-
viving speculation of a new peace
move centering about the Holy See.
Taylor arrived in an American
military car put at his disposal by
the Allied high command.
After his conversation with the
Pope, he visited Vatican secretary of
state, Cardinal Maglione, and fol-
lowed up with him the converse
ton he had had with the Pope.
Taylor was accompanied by his
aide Harold Tittman.
Taylor held press conference
with American correspondents yes
terday, but he refused to discuss the
purpose of his visit or even to say
how long he expected to remain in
Rome.
He intimated, however. that he in
tends to see large number of for
Continued on Page q
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
YANKS STORM CIIERbOURc inner FORTS
Big Naval Battle Believed Imminent
ALTE R NATE
JUROR Called;
1ST Time HERE

An alternate juror was i'm
paneled into a jury for the
first time in Waterbury's his
tory today when a Meriden
woman, who was serving in
the superior court trial Of the
$4,000 Cheshire road bus
truck collision suit, was ex-
cused because of illness.
The incapacitated Juror. Mrs.
Grace Mitchell, reported her illness
yesterday but said at that time she
would try to continue her service
Today she appeared before Judge
Edward j. Quinlan before the open
ing Of court and asked to be ex-
cused.
In accordance with statutory pro-
vision, a lot was drawn to deter
mine which Of the two alternate
jurors, selected at the opening OF
the trial, would serve. Superior
Court Clerk James e. Mcknight an
nounced that the name OF Charles
H. Jackson Of Cheshire was drawn,
and the venireman took the place
vacated by Mrs. Mitchell.
The two alternates had been
seated at the far side of the jury
box, and were under strict orders to
stay away from the regular jurors
The remaining alternate will con-
tinue to serve in that capacity, lis
tening to all testimony, but having
no part in deliberations unless one
Of the regular members should be-
come ILL.,
Abraham Alderman, secretary of
the Elm City Filling Stations, Inc,
Of New Haven, who was on the stand
during most Of yesterdays hearing,
resumed his testimony today. The
Elm City concern and the Colonial
Beacon Oil Company Of Massachu-
sets are defendants in the litigation
which is brought by Mrs. Cecile De-
schesnes, widow Of Louis Deschesnes,
the brissdriver who was killed In the
accident
Questioning yesterday afternoon
and this morning was based on the
relationship between the two oil
concerns and the arTangelntnts
made by the Massachusetts concern
with the Elm City company for
transporting Oil.
Conversations conducted by Mr..
Alderman with w. B. Wyman. for
merly an assistant transportation
manager and plant engineer for the
Massachusetts, company, were the
Continued on Page A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
.LyttIeton
Is Chostened
After Error
NEA Telephoto.
BY r. II. SHACKFORD
UNITED Press Staff Correspondent

Washington, June 81. - CUP -
Secretary OF State Cordell Hull's in
dignant denunciation of a careless
British statement that the United
States provoked Japan into war APP
peared certain today to bring quick
apologies from the highest British
officials.
Lord Halifax, the British ambas-
sador, was expected to call on Hull
soon 70 try to make amends for the
colossal diplomatic blunder made
by his colleague. Captain Oliver
Lyttelton, British minister Of pro-
duction.
Prime Minister winston Church.
i'll himself may participate in the
effort to correct the unfortunate
impression created here by the re-
marks Of his cabinet minister. Hall
fax and Churchill were understood
to have conferred already by tele-
phone.
Lytteltons assertions left Hull
and other State Department off,
SAdAS h1O4SIldA4L. SO1lSI SSSIIlSQ WcIc
just plain mad. And British Off
Gals, ordinarily the tactful, suave
diplomats, were Inundated.
The blast by the 72-year- old Sec
rotary of State could have had no
other effect than to make a chas-
tened man Of Lyttelton, who boasted
in his address yesterday that
"frankness bordering on indiscre-
ton Is the right way to treat our
American Allies" He then went
on to say that Japan was provoked
into attacking the Americans at
Pearl harbor."
He discovered that Hull will not
tolerate silently what he considers
to be unjust criticism of the United
States or unfair approisals of his
country's policies.
Even after Lyttelton had issued
memo explaining that his remarks
should not be construed as implying
Continued on Page p
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
Tokyo Says
u. S. Loss Bio
(By United Press,

Tokyo radio broadcast today spe-
ciflc claims Of heavy American
naval losses in the area Of the
Marianas Islands where Japanese
broadcasts had reported fierce"
naval battle between large American
and Japanese fleets.
Apparently engaged in propa-
ganda war to goad the United
States Navy into premature dis
closures of the situation in the Mar
ianas, Tokyo radio broadcast q
statement of Admiral Kenisuke Ia
kahashi that "the enemy's landing
operations on Saipan has offered us
a golden opportunity to smash him
with staggering effect, the enemy
on Saipan is dependent on his COM
munications and will meet with
serious crisis before the fun force Of
our counter offensive"
The broadcast heard by the Uni
ted Press listening post at San
Francisco, made no mention Of
previous Japanese broadcast, heard
in London, that fierce" battle was
raging. A home broadcast Of Tokyo
radio was heard acknowledging that
the Japanese feet had suffered
considerable losses Of ships and
planes"
Tokyo broadcast a Domei dispatch
claiming that a Is, 000-ton American
batlteship of the Iowa class was
'sent to the bottom instantly" near
Guam Friday morning. It alleged
that two American battleShips, in
GLIDING one of the 35,000-ton North
Carolina class, and four aircraft
carriers, including three Of the a.
900 ton Essex class and one Of the
10000 Independence class, were
damaged.
It claimed that one heavy and
one light American cruiser were
sunk, and three heavy and one light
cruiser damaged.
Another Domei dispatch asserted
the American offensive on Saipan
has "slackened considerably since
Monday because of the severe re-
ception" by the japanese garrison.
Seeing 1t impossible to occupy
the island promptly" said the dis
patch the enemy gave up his con-
centrated offensive and undertook
setting up defense positions, How
ever, these are now effectively
smashed by the Japanese forces
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
OUTCOME MAY
Determine
SEA CONTROL
By WILLIAM r. TYREE
United Press War Correspondent

DIX WILLIAM r.. xnEE
United Press War Correspondent
Pearl Harbor, June 81. -
CUP - The greatest naval
battle since Jutland appeared
in the making, If not under
way, on the approaches to
the besieged Marianas today
between the American Fifth
fleet and possibly the entire
Japanese fleet.
The outcome of the battle
may determine the control of
the Western Pacific, includ-
ing the sea approaches to
Japan itself, as well as the
length of the war against
Japan.
Admiral Chester w. Nimitz, COM
mander in chief Of the U. s. Paci-
fic fleet, disclosed at press con-
ference yesterday that strong jap
anese units-"possibly their entire
fleet'-had emerged from the jap
anese home islands In force for the
first time In nearly two years and
had been sighted between the Ma
rianas and the Philippines.
"A major engagement Is a pos
sibility," he said in q confident re-
view Of the developing battle for
the Western Pacific. I'VE have put
enough muscle into our Fifth Fleet
to handle the situation. We assume
the Japs will put in everything they
have. II the fleets Join, 1t will be a
decisive battle"
Japanese naval quarters also hint
ed at far-reaching developments in
the Pacific. A japanese Domei
broa0cast recorded by the Federal
Communications Commission quoted
a japanese naval spokesman as say
ing that war results Of the imme-
diate future should be watched close
ly. ~ y 80 So, s-.aass -
"A big naval battle in the Ma
rianas area will have far-reaching
results on the Pacific war situation"
he was said TO have added.
The American fleet already has
won what may be the preliminary
to the main engagement by shooting
down o record 600 Japanese planes
which sought TO interfere with
American invasion forces rapidly
completing the conquest Of Saipan,
Japanese naval base and admins
trative center Of the Marianas, some
$500 miles south Of Tokyo.
Three hundred Of the enemy
planes were shot down in single
day, Sunday, and the others have
CONTINUED on Page a
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
Bombs Rip
Nozi Carrier

Rome, June 21.-(UP)-Amerlca
Thunderbolt fighter-hombers at
tackled and seriously damaged an
enemy aircraft carried in Genoa
llarbor, believed to be the 20.000-ton
Italian carried Regolo which was
seized by the Germans last Septem-
Der, It was announced today.
A formation Of Thunderbolts led
by 1t. Gordon A. c. Moody, Cold
water. Mich, scored five direct hits
on the warship.
The Thunderbolts drove their
bomb home through intense anti
aircraft fire thrown up by the Re-
gola's batteries and every other ship
and shore gun in the harbor, then
swung back to rake the vessel with
machine gun fire.
One Thunderbolt was so heav-
lily damaged by flax that the pilot
was forced to bail out six miles out
side Genoa harbor. He was picked
up later by a Catalina flying boat
which landed In the middle Of a
coastal minefield to rescue him.
The Regola was believed to have
been damaged previously and TAX
en- to Genoa for repairs and refit-
ting.
The attack was carried out with
CONTINUED on Page A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
'TriumpF,ont
Reds Chase
Beaten Foes
by M. s. HANDLER
United Press STAFF CorresOpndent)

(Unlte0 freSS StaH COrreSOpnoent)
MOSCOW, June 2l-(UP)-Trium-
plant Red army troops struck out
from newly-captured Viipuri to-
day in pursuit VI disorganized Fin
nish columns retreating toward Hell
sinki under q hail Of fire from Rus
sian bomebrs and fighters.
Marshal Leonid A. Govorovs
Leningrad army stormed into the
ancient fortress city yesterday to
complete a rapid 1l-day campaign
through Finland's strongest defens-
es in the Karelian Isthmus and
bring the Soviet Forces within 1856
miles east Of Helsinki, Finland's
capital.
(BBC also said the Finnish radio
was broadcasting constant appeals
to the people Of Helsinki to evacu-
ate the capital due to the scope of
the Russian offensive in Karelia. y
"a Finnish communique said the
defenders of Viipurt had withdrawn
to new positions Immediately north
and northwest of the city and re-
ported that Russian assault troops
had landed on the Koicisto Islands
Continued on Page a.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
DOOMED men
HAVE STARTED
EVACUATION
BY VIRGIL PINKLEY
UNITED Press War Correspondent

Allied Supreme Headquar-
tiers, London, June 21.-UP)
American assault forces
stormed the inner fortifica-
tons of Cherbourg today,
and a front dispatch written
at 9 a. m. quoted unofficial
sources as saying the doomed
German garrison had started
evacuating the beleaguered
port.
The Vanguard of 1t. Gen.
Omar N. Bradley's army
closing in on Cherbourg had
crashed through the German
first defense line, and was
reported approaching the
city's outskirts in steady
gains rolled up under cover
of a heavy artillery lombard
ment.
Henry T. Gorrell, United Press
War Correspondent, in a dispatch
from "the vicinity Of Cherbourg."
said the fast shifting battle line app
peared to run from Beaumont
Hague, at the center Of the north
western cape, down through Martini
vast, about two and one-half miles
due south of Cherbourg proper.
Fighting from prepared positions
extending from the neigrborhood Of
Beaumont Hague southeastward,
the Germans all night resisted the
U. S. Infantry advance with artil-
lery, mortar and small arms fire."
Gorrell reported.
The Frenchmen and German war
prisoners Gorrell saw outside Cher
bourg told him that the Nazi gar
rison had begun pulling out north
westward into Cape De La Hague.
where they would face the choice
of surrender or death.
United States artillery, including
the 155-millimeter long Toms which
had been Smelling Cherbourg, sent
Continued on Page -
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
BritislsForge
3 To4 Miles
Past Peruqio
BY REYNOLDS PACKARD
limited Press War COrreSnnndeni


Rome, June 81. (UP)-British
9th Army troops have cleared the
Germans from Perugia and ad-
vanced three to four miles beyond
the town, a communique said to-
day, while French and American
units Of the Allied 5th Army on the
British left flank pushed slowly
northward against bitter enemy OPP
position.
Driving rains slowed the Allied
armies all along the central battle
front and desperate Nazi rear
guards were putting up fierce de-
laying fight everywhere, but there
was no indication that the main
German forces had been sent into
action.
Eighth Army veterans wiped out
the last enemy resistance In Perugia
yesterday morning after an all
night battle against snipers and
machine gunners entrenched in the
streets and houses of the ancient
cathedral city.
Latest reports said the British
were tanning out swiftly beyond the
town in full pursuit of the retreat
ing Nazis.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
Air Borne General
Killed In Fronce

London, June 2l.-(UP)-The
first high-ranking American in
vasion casualty was disclosed today
in a supreme headquarters an
nouncement that Brig. Gen. Don F.
Pratt. 81. Brookfield, Mo-, had been
killed in the first days operations
while leading unit Of an airborne
division into France.
Pratt, a pioneer In airborne tao
tics in civilian life before the last
war, died in the wreckage Of a
glider which crashed into a tree
when his formation landed north
west Of Carentan. Reports from
the front said the general was buried
In. France.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
Robot Attack
Stepped Up
BY BRUCE MUM
UNITED Press War Correspondent

UNITED Press war correspondent
London, June 2l.--(UP)-The
Germans stepped UP their robot
bomb assault ON southern England
last night and in defiance of Allied
air fleets that have pounded their
launching bases with tens Of thou
sands of tons of explosives in the
past five months.
Just as Allied officials were about
to congratulate themselves on "a
hour lull in the enemy attacks, the
winged, jet-propelled torpedoes be-
gan to roar across the Channel
coast from the Pas De Calais area
again with even more frequency
than previously.
A British announcement laconic-
ally acknowledged that the at
tacks had increased slightly" and
caused damage and casualties" In
southern England, which geogra-
phically includes the London area
though specific districts hit were
CONTINUED on Page -
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
BY LYLE c. WILSON

United Press STAFF Correspondent
Chicago, H., June 2l-(UP)-Re-
publican national convention pre-
liminaries began today in resolu-
lions and other committee meetings
with certain diversions in disputes
involving former President Herbert
G. Hoover, Wendell l.. Willkie and
Rep. Glare Boothe Luce, r., Conn.,.
the @. o. P. pin-up girl.
The resolutions committee
charged with drafting the 1914 plat
form, win meet this morning under
the chaiFmanship Of Sen. Robert
A. Taft, r., o. The Republican ma
tional COMMITTEES will meet at the
same time and Subcommittee On
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
Firms Press
For Peace
BY JACK FLESCHER

United Press Staff Correspondent
Stockholm, June 2l-(UP)-The
fall Of Viipuri, Finlands third larg-
est city, to the Russians brought
increased pressure today on Pres
idcnt Risto Ryti to establish a peace
government, although 1t was under
stood the Germans were active be-
hind the scenes to prevent Fin
capitulation.
(The British radio said Stockholm
dispatches from Finland reported
that Marshal Baron Carl Manner
helm had taken the lead in forming
a new Finnish government to dis
cuss peace)
The German minister to Helsinki.
Wipert Won Bluecher, was reported
to have delivered an ultimatum to
the Firms, in an apparent attempt
to avoid peace government, al
thought the nature Of the note was
not revealed.
fNoufias,ad m. Dana ~
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
Quick Approval OF Price
Control Bill Anticipated

D., Ala.
Both Bankhead and administra-
ton officials indicated that the set
Element was satisfactory to them.
The final agreement by conferees
cleared one Of the major hurdles in
the path of Congressional plans to
begin a summer recess this week
end.
Bankheads original amendments
would have linked cotton textile
prices directly to the parity price
Of raw cotton. with an elaborate
formula to guarantee cotton mills
reasonable profit. The OpA esti-
Continued on Page u
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
Disputes Disrupt G. O. p
Contention PreLiminaries

credentials contests will convene
this afternoon. The convention
opens next Monday, June 20.
Lovely Mrs. Luce, whose selection
to address the convention was wide.
ly acclaimed as a tribute to herself
and her sex, learned only few
days ago that she was to go on the
air late at night after MIR. Hoover
had spoken for As minutes and re-
ceived the customary half hours
ovation. Members Of the Connect
cut convention delegation report
that Mrs. Luce said-nothing doing
she would speak before Mr. Hoov-
er or not speak at all.
frontin,,aA an page Al
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-21
BY HELENE C. MONBERG

United Press Staff Correspondent
Washington, June 81. = Cup =
A final compromise version of a
price control extension bill went
before the House and Senate today
and Congressional leaders predicted
it would be approved and sent to
President Roosevelt for signature by
nightfall.
House and Senate conferees COM
pleted work on the bill to extend the
Office Of Price Administration for
another year after reaching q COM
promise last night on the contro-
yersial cotton amendments spon-
soFed BY Senator John u. Bankhead.