The McGregor Mirror and Herald-Observer (McGregor, Tex.), Vol. 55, No. 27, Ed. 1 Friday, October 8, 1943 Page: 1 of 8
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German Army Still
Strong As Defenders
'-Move Into Italy
The steady progress of allied
arms, upon the battlefields, in
reality should not lead us to
conclude that ^the fighting is
about.rover. Rather the repeated
warnings of our military and po-
litical leaders, that the real bat-
tle is juust beginning, should be
soberly considered in connec-
tion with the black lines on the
^ maps that show territory captu-
red and recovered.
The campaign in Russia illus-
trates the observation very well.
It is encouraging to note the
vast area reclaimed by the Red
army and to contrast what is
happening in Russia with what
went on in Russia last summer.
Just the same the reversal is not
as overwhelming as it appears, j
There is little reason to be- j
lieve that the German army has
been badly hurt in the fighting
in ussia. Every sign points to
^ an extremely successful retreat
by the Nazis. While Hitler’s
strategy is not yet clear the fact
is that the withdrawal in Rus-
sia has shortened the battlefrout
and may put the Germans in a
position to go on the defensive
against the Red Army.
,About all we know of the cam-
paign is that the Nazis have ab-
andoned much territory. Whe-
ther the retreat was caused by
military pressure, exerted by the
Russians, or by motives of high-
er strategy remains undisclosed.
^ ' As we understand the situation
our own military leaders do not
know whether pressure or strat-
egy predominated in the Ger-
man maneuver.
There is every evidence that
Germany-, facing the growing
Anglo-American threat, talking
cognizance of the surrender of
Italy, was forced to readjust her
armed strength. Despite the ab-
sence of what Stalin calls a
^ second front”, the entire milita-
ry outlook in Europe was alter-
ed when the U-boats failed and
there was no doubt about the
arrival of American fighting sol-
diers.
These facts were known in
Berlin many weeks ago. Nazi
strategists could not overlook
the new threat. They had to
regroup their soldiers and recast
their strategy. The retreat in
Russia indicates a decision to
adopt tjtiC:- defensive on a broad
scale but without overlooking au
opportunity to strike a heavy
blow whenevhy.a favorable op-
portunity p’ hitted itself. ,
/The abandonment of territory
* in Russia at this time, does not
seriously affect the Germans.
Their armies have fallen back to
positions that do not involve
long communications lines. The
Red army, on the other hand,
has advanced over battle-scarred
terrain, with consequent length-
ening of its supply lines, which
now have to move over much
devastated land. ,
We must watch the campaign
* in Russia a while longer before
attempting a conclusive analysis
of what has happened. Even if
the Germans surrender the Dne-
iper river line and fall back to
the German frontier we cannot
know, with certainly, the state
of the Nazi army until we see
Iioav it reacts to continued Rus-
sian pressure. We must wait for
the unfolding of German stratey
in Italy, the Balkans and else-
where.
The campaign in Italy pro-
ceeds favorably to the Anglo-
British invaders and the steady
^ (Continued qn back page.)
Photo—McGregor Tin Gan Pile
— EXCLUSIVE MIRROR PHOTO
Citizens Urged. To
Revive Interest In
Tin Can Salvage
The salvage of tin cans is cer-
tainly one of the most important
jobs that we have to do. Eyery
tin can in Texas is needed at
our copper mines for use in the
precipitation mining of copper.
So far, McGregor has failed to
produce salvage tin cans in lots
commensurate with supplies in
the city. Chairman A. P. Cherry
urges everyone to save cans and
bring them to the lot across the
street from the Texas Theatre,
so that they may be picked up
and shipped to centers where
they will be employed in -manu-
facture of vital materials.
At the outset of the salvage
program, enthusiasm was at a
high pitch, but donors have laps-
ed into inactivity as if the need
fop this precious metal had been
satisfied. This is not true. A tin
can is 99 per cent steel. But the
processing returns it in a cop-
per state and this provides the
needed metal.
Gather your cans today and
every day and bring them to the
salvage lot. Don’t delay.
--o-
Bluebonnet Guards
Will Receive Award
For Their Efficiency
The guard department of the
National Gypsum company, op-
erators of the Bluebonnet Ord-
nance plant in McGregor, will
bring national x recognition to
BOP Saturday, October 9, when
they will be awarded, at four
o’clock, by Brigadier General
Luther Smith, commanding of-
ficer of the 33rd Flying and
Training wing, a Guidon for ex-
cellence. The presentation will
take place in front of the Ad-
ministration building on the
area to which the public is in-
vited. The guidon will be accept-
ed by Chief B. B. Bruner, of the
guard department.
The Guidon is an award, cor-
responding to the Army and Na-
vy E for production, given for
superior guard forces which are
outstanding in training, appear-
ance, and efficiency, and award-
ed by the Commanding General
of the Eighth Service command.
It is a pennant, twenty - four
by thirty-four inches in size,
with a blue field and gold bor-
der.
All members of the guard force
at Bluebonnet, in addition to
their job of protecting the plant,
are sworn in by the United
States government as Auxiliary
Military Police, and as such
stand by at all times, for duty,
in case of any emergency. The-
pennant to be awarded Satur-
day, will have the names Blue-
bonnet Ordnance Plant,, and Aux-
iliary Military Police, printed in
gold letters on the blue field.
In charge of the guard de-
partment at BOP is chief B. B.
Bruner of Waco. Chief Bruner
is a graduate of Baylor Univer-
sity, and a lawyer by profession.
Before coming to Bluebonnet, he
was for four years in the office
of the district attorney in Waco.
-o-■
BUSINESS OFF HERE
A Survey this week show-
ed that business had-declin-
ed sharply since the fifttenth
of September. Decreasing
numbers of soldiers during a
temporary lull, and lack of
activity in cotton picking
were believed contributing
causes of the slump.
Nearly 700 Register
At Servicemen Club
Nearly seven hundred service-
men have registered at the head
desk of the McGregor Service-
men’s Center — less than two
weeks after it opened, according
to Mrs. J. S. Halley, hostess.
Although it is generally be-
lieved that passes and furloughs
have been much less numerous
than usual, the figure proves
that the need for such accommo-
dations existed here, and the
response from visitors further
proves that it is appreciated.
Many games have been provid-
ed for the center, find lounging
furniture makes it an ideal spot
for tired visitors to while away
the time in clean, attractive
quarters, while ^special commit-
tees offer programs at inter-
vals.
-o--
BOY SCOUTS RECEIVE
NEW FLAG FROM TROOP
CHAIRMAN, DR. CAGLE
The Boy Scouts are the proud
possessors of a new silk Ameri-
can flag, presented to Troop No.
9, by Dr. R. W. Cagle, chairman
of the troop committee.
Our regular meeting night is
Thursday of each week at 8:00
p. m. at the school house. Any
boys between the ages of 12 and
14 wishing to join or visit with
us are cordialv invited.
-o-
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
Citizens of McGregor should
be observing Fire Prevention
Week (Oct. 3-9) by removing all
fire hazards from their property.
Destroy oil-soaked rags and oth-
er rubbish inflammable, and
clean attics of refuse that might
be costly when least expected.
Temple Team Falls
Before Bulldogs In
Home Game Thriller
Stalled on the ground by a
fighting team from Temple, the
McGregor Bulldogs turned to
the air lanes in the second half
Thursday night to ride to vic-
tory, 18 to 0. It was the good
throwing arm of Captain Gene
Guinn that threw three touch-
down passes that allowed the
Bulldogs to win going away.
Virgil Spivejr was on the re-
ceiving end of two of the scoring
plays while J. W. Arbuckle also
tucked one pass away that car-
ried for about fifty yards and a
score.
A heavy gridiron and a slick
ball, aided and abetted by the
hard charging Wildcats held the
Bulldogs at bay throughout the
first, half of the game. With
Guinn handling the ball on most
plays, Spradley and Spivey
broke loose very few times on
running plays.
Outstanding games were turn-
ed in by Bud Johnson, who con-
tinued his good work at a block-
ing back position and who came
near going all the way to score
in the third period when he took
a Temple punt and scooted down
the sideline only to be hauled in
by the safety man. Other boys
showing up well were Riley and
Westerfield in the line. Jim
Mize continued to play a steady
game at end.
On Friday, October 15, the
Bulldogs will go to West where
they inauguate the season’s con-
ference play in a game with the
Trojans.
-o---
Buy ten per cent every week!
DO VOU IIEED IROIIEY FOR
nnv OF THESE PURPOSES?
-Wi/
Member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Red Cross Workers
Suspend Sessions
The voluntary Red Cross work
that has been conducted in the
bank building for some time has
been suspended temporarily, be-
cause of lack of materials, a
spokesman announced this week.
Those who have worked so
diligently during the year in
making bandages- deserve the
thanks of the entire community,
and others are invited to assist
in the work upon resumption of
those duties, which will be an-
nounced later.
-o-
Library Now Open
Every Day at Offices
Chamber Commerce
Good news to book lovers is
the change from the McGregor
city hall to the chamber of com-
merce offices of the McLennan
County Library this week.
Effective first of this week, the
local branch of the library unit
has been transferred to the o-
fices over the bank, where Mrs.
Cpnnally will offer library ser-
vice from 9:00 a. m. until 5:00
p. m. every day except Sunday.
Many new books have been
added to the McGregor series,
and patrons are urged to avail
themseleves of this accommoda-
tion.
-o-
McGregor War Bond
Sales Show Increase
McGregor citizens have pur-
chased $167,343.75 in war bonds
during the recently - closed cam-
paign.
Although the drive locally was
dragging at the outset, Chair-
man G. W. England expressed
satisfaction over the outcome of
sales, and emphasized again the
important contribution of small-
er buyers whose purchases are
largely responsible for the to-
tals in every drive. Several lar-
ger denomination bonds were in-
cluded in the figures, of course,
but regular buyers remain the
backbone of the Avar bohd effort,
he said.
“These campaigns are timed
to meet demands of immediate
import,” Mr. England remark-
ed, “but we must bear in mind
that the all-important thing is
regular purchases Aveek after
week, month* * after month, every
payday.” He urged the payroll
plan buyers to continue Avith at
least ten percent purchases, and
make extra purchases when pos-
sible.
USO Still Needs Few
Items For Soldiers
Donations for the USO Room
last Aveek Avere a calendar by
Mrs. Walter Amsler; a card ta-
ble by Mr. and Mrs. Billie Sehe-
pers; a dust pan, by Mrs. Tap
Wells; phonograph records, by
Emily England, Rosemary Man-
ske and Anne Freeman; a ping-
pong table, by Mrs. Walter Am-
sler, and tAvo door stops by Mr.
J. A. Jackson.
The Lutheran ladies haA7e kept
the cookie jars full.
Needed badly at- this time are
Avaste - paper baskets and vases.
-o-
Sun Helps Cotton Pickers
Clear weathqr is bringing pick-
ers to cotton fields again, and
gins are resuming activity.
| JOE ABB’S ii
“QUOTES”
| by ' ;►
l WELDON OWENS <<
THE time is at hand when the
citizens of McGregor could en-
joy a novel entertainment fea-
ture — a Servicemen’s Diaper
Derby. Yessir, it’s the very thing
for an autumnal evening, A\Then
the frost is on the pumpkin, and
the soldier’s on the loose. And
besides, it Avould furnish needed
prize money to several experts
who really know their stuff Avith
infants. Those in favor of this
idea should inform The Mirror
immediately, so that plans can
be made for the eATent to be of-
fered in .grand style. There are
many seiwicemen Avho can attend
to baby duties as Avell as a Avife,
and many of them are even fan-
cy with it. They feature compli-
cated knots,, trick-pinning, and
juggling the infant Avhile the
triangle is being fitted. All of
these things Avould have an im-
portant bearing on the results,
and judges could not remain
phlegmatic toward such woman-
ly art in khaki. So Avhat do you
saAr? Do atou Avant a Diaper Der-
by?
* *
FOR eight long years, Mrs. Cal-
lie Abel has been confined to
her room with no outside com-
munications other than her trus-
ty little radio which remained
faithful until a feAV Aveeks ago.
When it failed, it Avas like one
being plunged into total dark-
ness, for it had been truly the
comforting light of entertain-
ment, education and condolence
to Mrs. Abel. She had several
favorite programs, so she Avrote
ope radio performer of her loss,
requesting that he help her se-
cure needed parts. And iioav she
is listening to her programs ev-
ery hour of the day . . . but not
with tye old tubes. The radio
star sent her a brand new set of
tubes as a gift!
% # #
THAT little convention celebrat-
ing the 81st birthday of Mrs. Wm.
Schroeder Sunday, October 3rd,
Avas an example of how many
people can cure some of their
ills in these racing times. With
forty-three relatives attending,
they drank of a mental tonic
unsurpassed for reneAving confi-
dence in life and felloAvman. No
substitute has ever been found
for a gathering of people Avho
love one another. They share
joys and troubles alike, and
have fun Avhile doing it. There-
fore, first, I congratulate the
honoree on her 81st birthday,
but chiefly upon having that
many relatives and friends Avho
still take, time out to reflect up-
on the past and plan the future
together.
# # #
I FIND myself at variance Avith
those A\rlio sincerely believe that
this Avar has reached a climax,
and is on the doAvn-grade. Al-
Avays, I have_ held that the opin-
ions of a village observer on
enormous international events
are deficient in authoritative
knoAvledge of the real Avorkings
of such events; but by studying
the history of past progress dur-
ing such periods and develop-
ments converging toward the
point at AAdiich present battles
have reached, I simply cannot
see enough sound reasons for
predictions that even Hitler will
be subdued by tye first of next
year or next Spring. Prominent
analysts employ elimination me-
thods to determine possible out-
comes. By weighing one side of
(Continued ou page four.)
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The McGregor Mirror and Herald-Observer (McGregor, Tex.), Vol. 55, No. 27, Ed. 1 Friday, October 8, 1943, newspaper, October 8, 1943; McGregor, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth883777/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting McGinley Memorial Public Library.