FRIDAY, JUKI 9, 1M4
BUffi GIMR TRAINS IAMHHG *i
MORETROOPS ON FRENCH SOB.
"
Allies Seize Mere Towns
As Advance Proceeds
Inland; Calais Coast
Also braided
Supreme Advance Command Post,
Allied Expeditionary Force — Freeh
troops from a huge sky glider train
Mixed key positions on Cherbourg
peninsular early Wednesday and reinforced
Allied soldiers fighting
against Nazi tank counter-attacks.
Three waves of U. S. Ninth Air
Force gliders strung out in a 51-milelong
train across the channel brought
"a steady stream of men, equipment
and supplies" to troops already
smashing inland from initial landing
points In France, supreme headquarters
announced.
' Front dispatches said airborne
forces had seised bridges and roads,
and linked up with troops landed from
the sea at several points. Some towns
already have been captured.
Field reports placed U. S. troops
well in the fore of the advance,
striking intend after establishing
beachheads at several points, but
said they were under heavy counterattack
early Wednesday.
The German high command in
its broadcast communique declared
heavy fighting continued pn both
sides of the mouth of the Orne River,
above Caen, and north of Carentan, a
town farther west. Berlin claimed
most of the Allied beachheads had
been "smashed," with most of the
airborne formations "wiped out."
Nearly 80 hours ofter history's
greatest overseas military blow
had begun, the third invasion bullyetin
telling of the reinforcing said
"satisfactory progress was made."
No details of fighting areas were
disclosed by the Allied commander-in-ihief.
U. S. Rangers and British Commandos
form part of the assaulting
forces streaming inland, the bulletin
said.
Weather Slightly Improved.
The weather, a source of anxiety
for Allied officers, has shown a
- very slight improvement, but landings
are still difficult for the troops
The Germans till spoke of the
Caen area, aire miles u{> the Orne
River tram the coast, as a battle
site, bat there was no official word
beyond Prime Minister "Churchill's
statement Tuesday that Allied
troops were fighting- in the streets of
that old Gothic town.
(Allied troops are moving up to
Caen, BBC said in a broadcast heard
by the Blue network.)
German broadcasts also said
fierce counter-attacks had "been
hurled against the Allies east of
Cherbourg, apparently a major Allied
objective, 66 miles nrfrthwest
of Caen.
But the Allied command neither
mentioned any Axis ground resistance
nor disclosed specific objectives
at the American, British and
Canadian infantrymen, parachutists,
and glider txoops.
"No further attempt at interference
with our sea-bourne landing was
made by enemy naval forces," the
1 ..it - j * __;j \
tmiieasi Bam.
"Those coastal batteries «*'" in
action an being bombarded by Allied
warships."
Report Stream Air Support.
Moat of the communique was devoted
to the tmuundous aerial assistance
being given the Allied ground
cupied * 50-mile atretch of the coast
and advanced inland .at gonve places
to * depth of 12 miles or man, -Herbert
M. Clark, Blue network correspondent
radioed from lipjfift He
■aid the Americans were moving inland
swiftly to join up with air-berae
forces landed In the first hours of
Tuesday's invasion.) - - ■
No More Naval Losses.
The American Navy announced
that there had been no more American
naval loases since President
Roosevelt's statement yesterday that
two destroyers and one landing craft
had been sunk.
The German navy was conspicuous
by its absence, although the Nasi air
force started to react violently toward
nightfall Tuesday, sharply engaging
the last strategic missions.
It was apparent that the German
High Command still was in doubt as
to Allied intentions and had not yet
brought the full weight of his armies
to bear, although more Axis divisions
were being committed to Che unfolding
struggle.
Bad weather hampered air operations,
but the fliers struck -with unprecedented
power in the greatest
series of attacks ever carried out'on
any war front.
31 Aircraft Loot. .
Most of the more than 13,000 sorties
(individual flights) were flown by
Americans Tuesday, and a complete
report recorded the destruction of 53
German planes for a loss of 31 Allied
aircraft.
The attarlu were concentrated in
support at gronnd troops and on corominications
"choke" points behind the
beached .Atlantic Wall.
The "completely successful" air
coverage included heavy bomber attacks
oh railways, communications
and bridges in the general battle
area and low-flying fighter-bomber
and fighter assaults on the enemy's
truck columns.
Objectives Bombed.
Military objectives were attacked
at Serqueg in the Pas-De-Calais
area by medium and light bombers,
and also at Abancort, thirty-five
miles inland from the coastal city of
Dieppe; at Amiens, and also at Vire,
35 miles southwest of Caen on the |
Normandy peninsula.
Vire is on the road along which
the 'Germans could tnove reinforcements
into northern Normandy from
Brittany,. (
Heavy night bombers also, struck
road targets behind the invasion
area, including the junction at"
Chateaudun, 70 miles southwest of
Paris. Canadian
fighter pilots back from
their first sorties over the invasion
coast today said that "tilings generally
were going well" on _ the
Airierican-held stretches.
Staff officers explained their taciturnity
here by saying that the German
command thus far probably was
ignorant of the true strength and
disposition of the invading troops.
At points where the Germans think
they might be engaged by a division
there may be only a handful of Allied
troops, they said. T£» opposite |
situation also could oecur. t <&,
;> Berlin radio clerly indicated the
airborne assaults were spreading
gnat confusion behind German lines,
and said the Nasi* had been doped by
parachuting sacks of straw load
explosives that blew up when they |
toadied. '
)
jmrnt—
• 15th Army Air tforee, June 6.—
Fimt Lieutenant Robert H. Baker, 25,
of Farroville, North Carolina, pilot of
an Italy based AAF B-17- Flying
Fortress, has beeft decorated with the
mmm **yh»g Crow for "extraordinary
achievement and heroism
while participating- in . aerial flight
against enemy aircraft plants in
Weuner-Neustadt, Austria, on- May
10, '1944.
The presentation of the medal was
made by Major General Nathan F.
Twining, commandiing general of the
15th Air Force, during a formal review
of the heavy bombardment
group at an army air base in Italy.
He was called forward with five other
members of his Group. His citation,
in part, read:
"For extraordinary -achievement
and heroism while participating in an
aerial flight over Weuner-Neustadt,
Austria„ as pilot of a B-17 type aircraft,
Lt Baker led his formation in
such a manner which prevented enemy
fighter intrusion. His formation,
flying on the lead squadron, held the
first wave' of the Group so compact
that the German fighters did not attack
it His action in the capacity as
squadron leader contributed immaasureably
to the success of the mission.
His ability and courage reflects
great credit upon himeelf as
well as upon the United States Army
Air Forces."
Lt Bator led his formation over
the target through a concentration of
flak, "So intense," he said,, "that it
appeared as if a fallow could step
right out and walk on it. Our tight
formation defeated the intentions of
the enemy fighters who desperately
ignored their own ack-ack fire to attack
other formations of our sky battlewagons
in a vain attempt to prevent
destruction of messerschmidt
aircraft factories so vital to the waning
power «f the Nasi Air Forces."
In making the presentation, General
Twining paid high tribute to the
skill and outstanding leadership displayed
by Lt Baker. That citation,
however, tells only a part of the saga
of the youthful pilot On a previous
mission to Vicenza, Italy, an April
20, 1944, flak pieraed five cockpit
tearing his leather flyii.g suit and
wounding his right hand. In spite of
the pain caused by the razor-edged
bits of flak ripping across his right
hand, Lt Bakftr managed to maintain
jjprfect position in the formation
while the Bombardier and Engineer
spliced shattered control cables
with radio antenna wire. On that
occasion he was awarded the Order
of the Purple Heart fffit "wounds received
in actioin aganst the armed
enemy."
Lt Baker ia the' son of Mrs. John
Ivy Baker and the late Mr. Baker of
Farmvflle. He was graduated from
the Farmville High School in 1986
utd enlisted in the Coast Artillery at
Port Bragg, in 1987. He was stationed
at Fort Kamahameha, Hawaii, until
1940, when he returned to the
States for the purpose of attending
an Army School for Specialized work
in Coast Artillery Defense at Fort
Monroe, tjigmia He later transferred
to the Air Corps and as a
Cadet received his Pre-Flifht Training
at Santa Asia, Cal. Then followed
Primary training at Calaero
School, Cal., and advanced training
at Maife Field, Texas, where he w»a
commissioned
upon
Lt
bombing
man, and
mission was
slavia, on
Near Philippines
Allied Headquarters, Southweat
Pacific, June 8.—American invaeiai
forces captured Mokmer airdrome an
Biak IBland on Wednesday, U days
bold in Dutch Nor Guinea, to give
Gen. Douglas MacArthur an airfield
within eauy bambing distant of the
Southern Philippines, 1«* than 900
mile* away, ft was -announced -today.
SOFT BALL LEAGUE
(By Walter Jones, Sports Editor)
Four Ga*erff Rayed Daring Put
W«*; ChrktisM Gai* Lmim
""Lead V :''
.£ ; ^7,. • iW~* - 'r**"' •
On 1%OT*l*y, June 1st, the PieeEpe.
team defeated the Methodist »
to 7. The Youngsters gathered together
by Paul Swell were too much
for «*»—" *,«»»■ Morriss' team.
The Methodist took an early lead but
wen noon outaoored by the Pres.-Eps.
Frank William,, catching Us flrst
game for the winners looked geod
in his new position.
SHE
Methodist: 3000040—7 9 3
Pres.-Epe.: 0 0 2 6 2 1 x—J1 11 1
Batt: Meth.: Fisher and Johnson—
PretL-Epe.: Caraway and Williams.
On Monday, June 5th, the Baptist
were beaten 10 to .7 by the much improved
Pres.-Epe. Hie winners seared
6 runs in the first inning to take
a lead that proved to be the downfall
of the1 Baptist. The losers excelled
in only department, that of making
error*—committing nine. Camnnty
pitched a steady game and was never
in trouble except for a "too late with
tso little" rally pot on by the Baptist
in the seventh inning.
R H E
Pres.-Eps. 6 2 0 1 1 0 0—10 6 4
Baptists: 0000214—7 7 9
Batt: Pres.-Epe.: "Carraway and
Williams. Baptist: Martin and
Jones.
In the flrst game of the Wednesday
Afternoon donbleheaders the
Christians knocked the Baptist off the
top of the League with a 10 to 7 victory.
With the help of Baptist errors
and several nice hits by the winners,
including two mighty wallops off the
bat of James Monk, the winners scored
9 runs in the second inning. This
was a new record for runs scored in
Dite inning.
SHE
Baptist: 0^ 0 4 1 1 1- 7 9 0
Christians: 0 9 0 0 0 1 x—10 9 7
Batt: Bapt.: Martin and Jones.
Chris.: Allen and Harris.
The final game of the Wednesday
program saw the Pres.-Eps., beat the
Methodist to die tune of 6 to 1. Ibis
was the best played game of the entire
season. The losers scored 1 run
in the first inning and thai was all
For them, while the winners scored
twice in the third, fourth, and sixth
inninga.
R H E
Pres.-Eps.: 0 0 2 2 0 2 0— 6 8 2
Methodist: 100000ft— 1 6 8
Batt: Pres.-Eps.: Carraway and
Williams. Methodist: Fisher Ad
Johnson.
Standings Thru Wed. Jane 7.
Won Lost Pet
Christians 8 '& 600
Pres.-Ep* a 3 500
Baptists 8 8 600
Methodists 2 8 "400
Games, Week of Jane 18th
Monday, June 12—Pres.-Eps. vs.
Christians.
Thursday, June 16—Baptist vs.
Methodist
Pitt Candidate Ask .
For Second Primary
Greenville, Jane 3. — A second
Democratic primary hu been ordered
to be held on Saturday, June 24,
to name a nominee from Pitt County
to the State Senate.
In laat Saturday's primary, J. Con
Lanier, Incumbent, received 2,007
ballots, Arthur B. Corey 2,31,7, «*vd
Dr. J. L. Winstead 1,297. Lanier today
requested the County Board oI
Election* to call a second primaryHe
has served two terms in the Senate.
5fSii;"""
At the same time, John G. Bailey,
candidate for constable of Chiood
Township, announced that he had
called for a runoff with Van 1011a.
In last Saturday's primary Kills received
296 ballots, Bailey 2*8, and
W. A. Buck 173 in a three-cornered
race. :f
EMi imv'f
riiui Annj 5
^psi Extends
Dcyow iiDcr
Reach Positions 10 Miles
North and Northwest
of Rome; 18,000 Prisoners
Taken
Allied HeadglMrten, Naples—Fifth
Army infantrymen, charing Km*
Field Marshal Albert Kasseiring's
fleeing army, have punched their way
10 milt* aorth of Some to a point
only five miles abort of Lake of
Bracchiano, it m> announced Wednesday.
1~
Another column has driven at least
10 milee northwest of the Italian capital
after Crossing the Tiber and still
is forging steadily ahead behind enemy
rearguards.
Patrols probing went from Rome
reached points throe to five miles
from the sea and nearly a dosen
miles north of the Tiber's mouth.
Resist safe Spotty.
Only spotty resistance was being
encountered by the Fifth Army
forces but the Eighth Army ma engaged
in brisk battlee with strong
German delaying forces in the mountainous
sac ton east of the capital.
New Zealand troops captured Balaorano,
about six miies north of Sara;
in their advance up Highway 82 toward
Avezzano. f
The newest sains ware reported
after Gen. Sir Harold'Alexander, Allied
commander-in-chief in Italy, in
a broadcast to Italian patriots, declared
that "in less than a month the
strength of the German armies has
been broken."
Alexander urged the Patriot* to
rise against the Nazis and do all
in their power to sobatage enemy
communications and hinder Kasaelring's
efforts to disengage his troop*
ud retire northward.
"The liberation of Italy now is
well under w*y," die Allied commander
declared."
Over Ut,«M Prtooner* Taken.
The total of prisoners taken in
he Allied Italian offensive still was
rising steadily with the Fifth Army
done now claiming more than 18^00.
A headquarters spokesman said
the Germans "appear to be forming
mall battle groups composed of
slements from varied units," pulled
Tastily together to fight desperate
inlaying actions,
The Mediterranean Allied Air
Force Joined Tuesday in the manyfront
assault on Hitter's Europe by
sending between 600 md 760 Flying
ffufUeaatu and Liberators into
the B»'Vv* Targets the
011 refineries at Ploesti, rail yards
at Brasov and Pitead and the
"Iron Gate" Canal at Tunm-Sawbrin
in Romania, and rail targets in
Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Thirty-four
enemy planes wane destroyed sgainet
a loss of 16 heavy bombers and 17
other aircraft.
Shuttle-Basa betis Active.
These air attsskn from the Mediterranean
cams aa other American
bombers from the new shuttle
bases in Russia were striking oat
■gainst a German air field in RoTaigets
north of Rome ware attacked
from the air Toeaday night,
the daily communique said. '
WAR IN BRIEF
Alilad invasion finopa drive inland
rapidly as initial atagea of groat and
historic attack upon the Atlantic Wall
W aneeeeafal, alonr with ton
jMctadly light tame* in BMn and nalifii^^UinlaRMnanta
now being
FanburaLt, whan invaaion front baa
beea aat up from La Havre to Char
Gea inane ahow amaeing Inch of air
pow^r, only 00 Nasi plana* coming
up to challenge overwhelming Allied
fleet of 11,000 planee.
Uade Sam "a Navy plnya conapicioua
part In moneter operations by
4,000 ahipe in carrying Invading
troopa aenaa the channel. Naval
loeae pronounced very light
Pennine American Indiana were
among thousands at Allied paratroape
spearheading the invaaion.
Ruaeiana are thrilled at newa of
npeniag of second front Grant Had
Amy now poised for attack from
Prapm and calm confidanee feature
American roeeptioa of invaaion
newa.
' Preeident Rooeevelt any* invaaion
going according to schedule, bat again
warna against overccmfidenoe.
Germans in Italy oartuaam to disorderly
retreat north of Rome.
Prima Minister Churchill optimistic,
aaya invaaion meeting greater
nr nma than wn antViyatH
General JSiaanhower has .'a'^aaien
signal from his motor trailer offtee.
General Montgomery pitted against
Bommel again.
NOTES FROM THE LOCAL
(Mniif night nut of Mr. and
Mat. & A. Joyner); Pvt. Joseph a
Rsfcss, Benton villa, Ark.; Pvt. Clayton
Hill, ftxnona, CaL
Camp Lejsuns: Sgt. Thaddeus A.
Ruuecld, and Pvt. Joseph P. Chmura,
of Indian Or*hard, Man, (guests
Saturday night of Mr. and Mrs. J. W.
Holmes.
Camp Davis: Sgt. Charioa W.
Adams, SWbyvUle, Ky., (Saturday
night guast Of Mr. and Mrs. A. J.
Groene and Sunday night *upper
guest of Mr. and Mrs. J. 0. PolUuJ);
Sgt. Harry L. Carpenter. Philadelphia,
Pa.. (Snsday night guest of Mr.
and Mrs. R. D. Souse); Pvt. G. B.
Meeting Called For Friday
Afternoon at 5:80;
County Chairman J. H.
WaSdrop To Address
Assembly
Farmvflle and oommeaity are asked
to meet in the City Hall, Friday after
aoon (today) at 6:80, to parfaet the
organisation of the toad unit in the
6th War Lou Drive which starts
Monday, June 12th.
/. H. Waldrop, of Greenville, chair
man at the Pitt County War Finance
Committee, will be praaent to address
the aaumMy. Mayor George
W. Davis, who ha* been appointed
chairman for Fsrmville Townahip,
will also make a brief talk.
Josh W. Munden, chairman of the
Merchant* and Salespeople group, for
which this mooting la called, has
reguaatad all mmhanta to dsas their
places of haslnsas at 6:90, and with
their aataapooplu, oomo in a body to
the City Hall tod join in perfecting
the organisation of thia group ao that
no time wfll bo loot in gutting everything
in reaiHasaa for "tick-Off
Day," Monday, June 12th.
Farm villa's quota, aa wall aa that
of the Townahij; and County, haa
been greatly increased over that of
other drhrea, and It b therefore necessary
that a more unified effort ba
pot forth in ordsr that we can again
go over the top, showing our boys
on the fighting fronts around the
world that we are 100 percent active
on the "Homo Front"
News Of The Invasion
Put People On Knees
Fprmville dtiteni mitii to n*wa~
at the long-awaited D-Oay with an
InxtfcctiTa daain.to
■ehraa *a the churohaa, and
town airen had ftvan the
aicnal and the
beUa began to peal, they ba^aa to
mora with one accord to
worahip <aiitaia and Ml oa
Imaaa in town* pn
rictory and aanf luatily tha oM hymns
"Gad, Our HfBlp in A*m Pa*."
The «pMt ot "w
M "inoon*ruoua and bratally •
by a foraisn newa eeeraapoedi
an account of thtnaaMr in
trfeieh
affected loilliona of
made ooeispicioua by Ma I
for the Dm* of Farm villa
All baainaaa activity *ma halted
from 10:00 to U:00, according to
ware the center oC I
out the day, the local Red Om »
<m 0-Day than <a any ethar
to Ate. All
joined the nation aa It a«ain fW! oa
ita kneea at the call to prayer by I
hmi hi.
om day only on
bat "to
the MR 01
front, lor thoee at hocoe and far "a
peace that wfll let all Men lira in
fraadem, reaping the juat rewarde of
khair honaat tdL" *