The Mercury from Pottstown, Pennsylvania • Page 1

WEATHER FORECAST For today in Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and cloudy and cooler. (Temperatures In Column One) BUY WAR STAMPS and BONDS Pottstown VOL. 13, NO. 217 TELEPHONE 2263 ASSOCIATED PRESS CENTRAL PRESS POTTSTOWN, WEDNESDAY Mercury Re Glad To Help QUICK POTT SMALL LOAN CO fa Lottata A 213 HIGH ST MORNING JUNE 7, 1944 TELEPHONE 2283 ASSOCIATED PRESS CENTRAL PRESS THREE CENTS A CO ft rriTEEN CENTS A WEEK ALLIES RID NORMANDY REACHES OF NAZIS Council Ties Pay Into Plug Fund Weis Report Asks for $2500; Additional Pay Will Require Another $1500 Recommendations by Councilman Ralph Weis for im- provemnts of borough fire protection facilities totaling near $2500 were referred to borough council's Fire and Finance committees during the monthly meeting or council last night. No immediate action on proposed program for installation of new fire plugs in areas now without them, and the installation of fire alarm boxes and new fire alarm wire, was taken after it developed that the fire committee is faced with another possible expenditure of $1500.

During the same session. William Reifsnyder, council president, named a five-man borough manager committee consisting of Councilmen William H. McCabe, Leonard Hatfield, Peter J. Lawler, William Bartman and William A. Griffith.

Joseph L. Prince, council solicitor, announced to the members that direct negotiations for the acquisition by the borough of the Pottstown Water company will commence shortly after June 16, original recommendations to council, at an estimated cost of $2172, were new fire plugs at Spruce street and Lee avenue, Cherry Lane, Hillcrest village, and Hanover and Oak streets; new fire alarm boxes at Penn village, Hillcrest village. Cherry Lane, and Diamond court. They also included new wire for fire alarm boxes from Farmington avenue and East street to Borough hall. Councilman Griffith proposed that Weis include new plugs for those outmoded ones at King and York streets, Chestnut and York streets and Walnut and Evans streets.

At this point, McCabe was asked whether or not there is sufficient money for the proposed work, which raised the question of what will be done with the requests for the three local fire companies for additional appropriations totaling a minimum of $1500. Both questions, Reifsnyder said, are hinged one upon the other, since the firemen are asking for money to employ drivers on a 24-hour basis. He reminded the councilmen that without firemen, a fire be fought even if the equipment is available; and by the same token, a fire be fought without equipment even if the firemen are on the scene. As a result, tne Finance committee and the Fire committee will confer to ascertain a solution to the double problem. McCabe pointed out that there is a $1700 for emergency which has as yet not been collected in the form of taxes.

He added that the fire companies made their request because they are no longer in receipt of social which had been previously received. McCabe did not specifically refer to what the social funds" were, but councilmen in general received the impression that he was referring to coin machines. Bills aggregating $14,081.29 were ordered paid, as requested by committees. They included Highway, Property, Health and Safety, Police, Finance, Board of Health, Fire, Sewer, Building, $90.75. Council also passed a resolution transferring a county aid bill of $7131.03 from the Highway committee to the Finance committee.

Borough Secretary Edmond W. Crttchley, reporting on a trip last week to the Stats Department of Internal Affairs, said department of- (Contlnued on Page Three) FOR SALE 1940 Chevrolet coach, A-l condi- Good tires. Priced to suit buyer. Apply George Makarezitz, R. D.

3, near Halfway House. tion. RUMMAGE SALE TODAY At Walnut and Washington streets, by St. Greek Catholic club. Open at 9:30 a.

m. Borough Responds Quietly To Allied Invasion News Pottstown, like thousands of other cities, boroughs, towns and hamlets in the United States, greeted the official news of the arrival of H-hour on D-day yesterday with a feeling of solemnity and of relief. Long awaited with tension on the part of the general pub- lie, the announcement of the land-1 le(ujed (rom Londoa banks and ing by Allied soldiers on the coast business houses on High street ob- Of France pvriipmpm. rariirvs which wprp on But the tension of waiting and for convenience of patrons. At wondering snapped like a broken Tire exchange, 427 High FOR SALE All Metal Baby Coach Apply 1046 South Street BEER PHONE 2205 84 Mercury 60 Antics High Low TEMPERATURE EXTREMES Local temperatures yesterday and bowstring.

There was no shrieking of sirens and no ringing of bells in the early morning, as had been reported in other communities throughout the East. The throaty voice of the bell in Trinity Reformed church, however, was heard for five minutes at noon and again at 6 p. m. Throughout the day there was only mild comment, and expressions of satisfaction of the progress reported to have been made by the Allies. street, a rado was set up on the sidewalk.

Full confirmation of the invasion was received in The office at 3:50 a. m. from General Eisenhower's headquarters via the Associated Press. At that time, all but 50 of The 15,000 circulation had been run off the presses. Rationing of newsprint prohibited the publishing of a special edition.

First word to the general public from Allied headquarters came from In order to follow at first hand the radio at 3:32 a. at. which the developments as they were re- (Continued on Pajre Ten) 36-Piece Coast Guard Nazi Attacks Ebb, Band Here Tuesday Russians Announce A United States Coast Guard band of 30 men and six SPARS will drop anchor on High street Tuesday to remind citizens to invest their dimes and quarters in war bonds and stamps until it hurts. Appearance of the band was announced last night by Ernest V. Hunter, general drive chairman.

Hunter said the band, which is on a four-week bond tour, will play on the south side of High street between Penn and Hanover streets at 2 p. m. and again at 7:30 p. m. The band will play under the baton of Dino Cortese who once played under the internationally known musician, Leopold Stowkowski.

In case of rain the concerts will be given in the auditorium of the Senior High school. Hunter said. The affair will be under the promotion of the division of effort to raise $4,000,000 during the Fifth War Loan which opens Monday. Mrs. James I.

Wendell is in charge of this division. LONDON, Wednesday, June 7 indication that the Germans are weakening in their savage eight- day battle near Iasi, Romania, was given by Moscow early today. Germans in the last few days have suffered heavy losses and Tuesday brought into action comparatively smaller forces of tanks and the broadcast supplement to the Russian communique said. The Red Banner Baltic air arm sank three German transports totaling 11.000 tons Monday night and fierce air battles shot down 20 German the supplement added. Tlie three-year-old dream of a western land front came true for the Russian people when they heard by radio that the Allies had invaded France.

At the same time the Red army was understood to be massing for its expected blow from the east following up the assault from the west. Vital Paris-Cherbourg Railroad Cut at Caen; Churchill Declares Casualties Are Extremely Light 'V I WtGrtT English Channel I CMANNIt SUNOS JtltSfY 7 Aiti nontirvu -V 1MM tIVM OOtfuOiJ ARRAS 'J" War Memorial Campaign Opening Set for July 4 July 4, the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. has been set by War Memorial of Pottstown Vicinity as the opening day of a long campaign to raise from $100,000 to $150,000. This was announced last night following a meeting of committee chairmen of the non-profit corporation held at the George A. Amole Post home, King and Franklin streets.

One of the major questions of the will be the memorial to servicemen and women who have donned uniforms to preserve the American way of neared an answer with the decision of the committee heads to have the selection made by the time the drive opens. Between today and the opening day of the campaign, public opinion from all walks of life will be sounded by corporation members in an effort to determine the most popular of several suggestions given in the past and those which are expected to be made before the end of next week. Some suggestions already submitted are: an airport, a library, a community center, a public park, (Continued on Page Three) Our Maitre de Hotel MR. GEORGE KOCHELL Is nearly ready to open our attractive new BLUE ROOM RESTAURANT Best of Food will be Including Seafood MERCHANTS HOTEL High and York Ste. NOTICE! Will the person who picked up the wallet in Gibbs-Peoples phone booth on Saturday afternoon please return the cards and personal belongings.

You may have the $63. Mrs, Helen Reilly, 107 High Street. early this morning were: 4 a. m. 604 p.

m. 82 5 a. m. 61 5 p. m.

6 a. 7 a. 62 6 p. m. 84 xtx 63 7 m.

1 8 a. m. 64 8 p. 9 a 67 9 p. ni 77 10 a m.

70 10 p. m. 73 11 a 7411 p. m. 72 12 77 Il p.

72 1 m. 79 a. m. 71 2 m. SO 2 a.

m. 70 3 P. m. Si3 a. m.

69 FOR SALE 15 shares National Bank of Pottstown. Inquiries invited. SUPLEE, YEATMAN Security Trust Bldg. Phone Pottstown 3174. WANTED LABORERS Apply William Boalton 334 Chestnut St.

Eye Examination Lense Grinding Is My Only Profession Dr. Phillips, Optometrist, 340 High Open All Day Thursday. UNBELIEVABLE PRICES For Clean Cars During Next 10 Days Defense Must Have Transportation USED CAR EXCHANGE West High Street Phone 2547 A i Hitts OF NOF.MANDV a 1' ft rv AUNcc The Allied landings yesterday were on the French coast directly under the words Channel" on the map. On each side of the Seine mouth at Le Havre are coastal towns that the Germans admit were captured. Paratroopers landed at Rouen, up the Seine river from Le Havre.

On the coast southwest of Le Havre, on the Orne river and a few miles inland, is Caen, where invasion ground troops are battling for the railroad lines running between Cherbourg and Paris. The Channel islands lie off the coast below Cherbourg. Says Yank Airborne Landings 'Beautiful' A U. 3. FIGHTER BASE IN ENGLAND, Wednesday, June 7 iJP) American airborne troops landed in a three-square-mile area in fields near the coast of Fiance yesterday and it was a said Lt.

Arthur Washburn of George street, Plainville, a fighter- bomber flight leader. American beachhead was going along very he said, the British and Canadians were getting the hell beat out of them for awhile. In the afternoon their position eased A U. S. Ninth Air force pilot said he saw American soldiers in France standing alongside roads and leaning on their rifles awaiting chow during a low-level flight over the beachhead at dusk yesterday.

Lt. James B. Crawley of Springfield, 111., declared, see any firing anywhere. The craters looked less than 100 feet The German controlled Vichy radio said that a vicious fight developed last night north of Rouen, on the Seine 41 miles east of Le Havre, powerful Allied paratroop formations and German anti-invasion Heavies Blast France at Night Minesweeper Brings First Wounded Back By RUTH COWAN AT A PORT IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND, June 6 A British sailor, his young face grimey with coal dust and his dark eyes solemn, stood at attention with fixed bayonet at the head of the gangplank. The first American dead in the invasion of western Europe were being brought off minesweepers, dubbed Joes" the first ships out and the first back.

There were survivors, too, 19 of them, "picked up at I was the only correspondent present. Those with a job to do went down to the quay. A big truck drove up to take the survivors to a British camp. Ambulances lined up. American soldiers on the wharf with rifles and blue arm bands marked watched all comers.

I was told not to attempt to Normandy Beaches Picked Months Ago LONDON, June 7 The beaches across which the Americans, drove into France were selected many months ago but only recently did the Germans seriously start to build up the defenses there and the attack found them far less heavily gunned and fortified than the great port areas in Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. This chosen stretch remained almost. without beach obstacles and the inshore defenses were nothing like as massive as those stretching for hundreds of miles on either side. This left a breech of about 60 miles between the northern wing of the defenses keyed around the Elbe and Weser estuaries hook of Holland and the ports of Dunkerque, Calais. Boulogne, Dieppe and Le Havre, and the southern chain running from Cherbourg through St.

Milo, Brest, Lorient, Nantes and Bordeaux. Week by week through the Winter German Dawn Broadcast Says We Are Pouring Reinforcements Into Channel Beachheads SUPREME HFADQ1IARTFRS Fxperiitirm.ry Forces, Wednesday, June 7 troops swiftly cleared Normandy beaches of the dazed Nazi survivors of a punishing sea and air bombardment and armor-backed landing parties ranged inland today in a liberation invasion which the Germans themselves predicted would expand. Reinforcements streamed across the white-capped channel. The German radio, in a dawn broadcast, said the Allies had made landings at the mouth of the Orne under cover of naval and that heavy fighting was raging on the coast. The German transocean agency broadcast at 6:55 a.

m. (12:55 A. E.WT) that the Allies since last night were pour- LONDON, June 7 German Transocean News Agency said today in a Berlin broadcast that fierce German counter-attacks had been launched against Allied invasion troops east of Cherbourg. Just after midnight, the agency continued, strong German bomber formations attacked Allied warships and landing craft off the bay of the Seine and north of Le Havre. are purposely kept back as yet, but results were the agency added.

ing strong reinforcements into the beachheads established on the French channel coast. Some reports reached here that Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery men had cut at Caen the Pans-Cherbourg railway, a main route supplying defense forces in the Cherbourg peninsula. The German high command, however, insisted that no Allied troops had penetrated Caen.

Up to early morning, there were no reports from any quarters of a single major engagement. Prime Minister Churchill first disclosed that Allied tTOops were fighting in Caen, on the River Orne, nine miles inland, a hub of roads and railways radiating all over northern Normandy. He said the invasion was proceeding a thoroughly satisfactory and with unexpectedly light casualties. Returning RAF pilots said: could easily tell the beaches were could see our soldiers standing In the first dispatch received from the soil of France, Canadian Press Correspondent Ross Munro said the Canadian invasion force won its beachhead and moved inland after just two hours and 45 minutes of fighting. Caen was the only point specifically named here as a scene of fighting, although penetrations as deep as 13 miles were reported.

Nazi-controlled radios, however, reported Allied landings at a dozen points, with the mast important on both sides of the estuary of the river Orne. From west to east along the 100- mile shoreline, Axis accounts said and some 200 airline miles northeast of Cherbourg. The Nazi-controlled Paris radio said important American- British naval squadron is cruising off Cherbourg two hours after The Allied High command disclosed that more than 1000 troop- carrying aircraft, including bore fighting specialists on invasion missions and said this phase was executed with suc- cesB." Allied bulldozers slashed out coastal landing strips. Naval casualties were officially regarded as It was disclosed that among the Allied armada was the U. S.

S. Nevada, 29.000-ton battleship repaired and restored to duty after she was badly damaged at Pearl Harbor, The U. S. S. Augusta.

9050 ton and sss east of Cherbourg, tne tisning np.r Admiral Alan Kirk a lage of St. Vaast La Hogue, five! of Rear Admlral Alan a l-he Allied reconnaissance showed the i miles south of Harfleur; both sides to the dock. No one cheered. I Iof the Valognes-Carentan highway, I porce veteran of the Sicilian campaign who commands Western Naval The first minesweeper eased up sl0K in conVerUng There a3 call' I htsh rl Another American cruiser in- Places as the auain and volved was the 9975-ton Tuscalwsa. to board and Capt.

Thomas Newbold, Brooklyn, N. responded. Standing nearby, Chaplain Meyer Miller, Greenwich, said saw them now we see them Then the first survivor came onto deck and up the gangplank. He was a young lad with light brown hair. He wore the two- piece white pajama like suit given men picked up at sea.

Willing British hands helped him into a waiting truck. LONDON, Wednesday, June 7 Others came, some very tired, one again again showed marked signs nervousness about this spot or that but never about the chosen stretch. Not until Field Marshal Erwin first extensive western inspection in February did the enemy show increased interest in these invitingly bare beaches. Even then lie gave first attention to multiplying mine fields in the immediate inshore areas, to lengthening and deepening anti-tank ditches close to the inland iiom the commanded by Rear Admiral Mor- 01'coast; the 27-mile-long area be- ton Deyo tween Carentan and Bayeux; the Allied Air forces maintained their river Orne estuary; a 15-mile stretch missions despite the wind. The U.

S. Ninth Air force alone flew 4000 sorties yesterday. Clearing the way for ground troops, 10,000 tons of of beaches in the Villers-Trouville region across the Seine estuary from Le Havre; and the town of Honfleur, on the Seine six miles south- explosives crashed down upon the east of Le Havre. i German positions from the air. Channel weather was adverse, a Among them were some described strong northeaster kicked up the ln a fieid dispatch as bombs waves.

But this was not permitted 0f a mysterious halt the of reinforce-; a British naval officer, who ac- Ti emplacement of many ments and supplies for the forces companied the task forces, said the ngnt neid guns to tire each way 1 hacking out positions along a 100- supreme command is worried great force of RAF bombers: tumbled, one wore borrowed Navy i lon8 beaches and to general miie front between Cherbourg and about the and that there swept across the English channel gear. A few wore green dungarees, improvement of the deeper Havre. had been much seasickness among last night continuing the mighty aerial assaults that prepared the way for the Allied invasion, during which more than 1000 troop-carrying aircraft at dawn yesterday dropped the largest air-borne force in history into France. LAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT DANCE TONIGHT Music and Entertainment by HARRY WELSH and His Orchestra MERCHANTS NEON BAR High and York Streets A they came ashore another mine Only after the storms had The German radio expressed fear the invasion forces. The wind over sweeper eased alongside with three blown out along toward the middle of fUrther landings.

Fresh and the channel grew stronger during survivors. One as hes April did the four commonest strong naval forccs were reported the night. climbed into a truck, made it types of offshore beach obstacles sjohted this morning off the Dun-I There were indications that after begin to appear. They were thick kerquV-Calais area, opposite Dover Bring up the came a command. Litter bearers began placing them beside the gangplank.

No one spoke. Watch for the Opening of the DOROTHY KAY SHOP at 13 N. York street on Saturday, June 17, featuring a high-grade line of Junior, Misses and Women's Dresses. Inspection Fri. tfune 16.

NOTICE! Kiwanis Park needs five used lawnmowers immediately to get park in shape for Summer use. Call A. Eugene Smith. Telephone 2244. WANTED Two sales girls, for shoes and sportswear dept.

BETTY LEE SHOP. 248 High St. Diamonds and Wedding Rings Charles Longacre, Bahr Arcade OKIL1EB Beer. Haag Bros. Ph.

ZZI FOR SALE 300 One-Gallon Coca Cola Bottles Call at Ellis Drue Storp Walnut and Charlotte Sts. CLAM BAKE AT TAVERN Friday, June 9 Route 422 Philadelphia Pike For Reservations Call Birdsboro 24019 20'r, DISCOUNT ON ALL SUMMER DRESSES Open Wed. and Fri. Evenings Until 9 Close Saturday at 6 PHYLLIS ANNE DRESS SHOP 162 N. Charlotte St.

along our target areas although still not as numerous as at many other points. NOTICE There will be prayer service in the Mount Carmel church Thursday, June 8. A 7:45 p. m. sharp.

The public is cordially invited to come and pray for the boys. For general work, with some experience in lubrication. Apply Atlantic Service Station, High York Streets. CLOSED Every Afternoon WILKIE FURNITURE HOUSE 818-824 Queen Street REMEMBER JACK and SUE PLACE At Douglassville On the Old Reading Pike WANTED Saleswoman for Saturdays, experience desirable but not necessary. Good salary.

Apply TUBIS SHOES, 253 High Street. WANTED Driver for light delivery truck; permanent position. Apply Keystone Store, King and Hanover Streets. Diamond and Wedding Rings SPECIAL NOTICE! St. Lodge respectfully requests that parents or friends of all its members now in the armed forces give or send their names for the Club's Honor Roll to Peter Dori, president, before June 18.

Living Room Suites to Order Suites and Chairs Recovered All Kinds of Furniture Repaired JOHN M. JOHNSON Reasonable Prices 148 High 2d 2763-J WANTED Waitress, experience preferred, part or full time. Apply SWEISFORD'S Star RESTAURANT 133 High St. NOTICE All customers who formerly bought coal from Flicker and Obermoyer and from William Bagenstose can get their rationing forms from Milton E. Yohn, coal dealer at Pottstown Landing, as their coal tonnage has been turned over to Milton Yohn.

WANTED BAKERY HELPERS Apply MRS. SMITH PIE CO. Charlotte and Water Streets the Germans were losing touch with their battle groups and that they were not sure where the main force of the Allied assault was striking. At a late hour last night hundreds of Allied planes still were in the air, guarding the convoys and the beachheads and striking beyond the zone of operations to paralyze Nazi defense positions and com! munications. During the first day of the as(Continued on Pase Two) ON THE MAIN DRAG FUR COAT STORAGE Bring in your fur coats for Summer storage in clean and safe rooms at of their declared value.

All furs insured. Pottstown Cold Storage Co. Watches. Wedding W. POTTSGROVE PTA FESTIVAL Tonight at 6 p.

m. At St. Old Lodge Grounds In case of rain, it will oe held at the High school auditorium. WANTED WAITRESS AND COOK Full Time and Good Wages RESTAURANT 423 High St. E.

K. Weikel, 10 North Hanover St, A. E. Willauer, 317 High St. LOST Short fingered fielder's glove at Eighth street diamond.

Phone 3164-W. Reward. Can identify. All is back JS.A.S.K.V.H3, JUDY B. KKICK the latest family news to her husband.

JEANNE CALEEN dramatic. DICK YERGEY furlough. MRS. GERTRUDE KESSLER out for War Memorial Inc. BILL FEROE on the Invasion.

MARJORIE C. SCHAEFFER a brand new hairdo, JfOHN McCABE over a oolis question. BETTY FILLMAM GIRL or Tftoor flj.