CBS World News - December 30th, 1941
December 30th, 1941
CBS World News
"The world today. The Columbia Broadcasting System now presents a summary of the all the important world news today. Reports from CBS correspondents by trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific short wave radio, and the latest developments as received by the Columbia's news room here in New York. John Daly will report on the major news events covering the past month, and recent developments regarding those events. We will start off the the recent collapse on the Russian front, then we will go to Britain and Africa, and end off in the Pacific and India where the Japanese, British and American units continue to engage in combat. And here is the news from John Daly"
"Good evening, and I hope you enjoyed your Christmas holidays as much as we did here in the station. Sadly, many parts of the world are unable to celebrate this Christmas, and soldiers abroad have been in constant fighting over what should be holidays. Some people even here in America fight a different war, one to keep warm and live another day. We encourage you to make donations of winter clothing to those who are unable to provide for themselves. Now to the news that has headlines across the world."
“Russia is reeling from the huge offensive the Germans launched late November. Early in December Leningrad fell to a concentrated attack and the Red Army withdrew into Finland or eastwards. The Germans launched an offensive on December 15th, its aim to encircle and capture Moscow. Initially, it seemed Moscow could hold out for months, as the supply depot near Red Square was heavily fortified and well under ground. However, on December 28th, two weeks into the siege of Moscow, Red Square finally fell and the Moscow garrison surrendered. The German troops had advanced eastwards as the siege was still on, and as the Germans advance towards the industrial base of Russia and the oilfields in the south, the only ray of hope is the Russian counter attack, aimed at breaking the German armies around Stalingrad.”
“The remnants of German troops in Britain have been cleaned up in Scotland. It appears that Britain has been fully liberated; however a few scattered troops have still been found or are turning themselves in. The government has been in chaos trying to repair the old administration system, and it will take some time to get them back on their heels. Our government has been sending massive amounts of war materiel, most notably the 100 barrels of oil per day, equipment and weaponry for three motorized divisions, and we have also sent 9 divisions to help repel any German invaders.”
“In Africa, the British launched Operation Crusader against the German Afrika Korps and Italian divisions. It is to early to tell any details, but it appears that the Italian units are in full retreat, and the British are closing in on the Egyptian – Libyan border. American has pledged support to help in Africa; however no timetable or specification of this help has been released to the public.”
“And finally, news on our very own front, from the Pacific theater. Our marines have been fighting ever since November to counter the growing Japanese threat. The garrison on the Philippines has surrendered, and there are rumors that many have escaped to allied Australia. Japanese warships have attacked our own fleet several times, but the limited engagements have resulted in minimal casualties. The Japanese forces have advanced on Singapore, where the British units have been busy shoring up defensive lines. The fortifications built around Rangpur in eastern India have been fortified as the Japanese troops advance towards them. The American 1st Army Group, led by Patton, has been engaging in a fighting retreat to the fortification line to buy the British more time. Japan’s days are numbered, said the President, and their treachery will not be quickly forgotten.”