[Homer_J_Simpson]

Note the small item titled “’Father’ Riker Cleared,” on page 2. The lawyer who told the jury that William Riker “may be a little goofy” was Melvin Belli. For extra credit I recommend doing a search on William E. Riker of Holy City fame.

Allies Check Foe (Daniell) – 2
Enemy at Agheila Reported Jittery (Parr) – 3
War News Summarized – 3
Hitler Adds to Nazi Party’s Power in Another Move to Curb Uprisings – 4
Cruiser San Francisco Home; Took ‘Big Ones First’ in Fight (Davies) – 5-6
Allied Siege Lines Hold in New Guinea (Durdin) * – 7
Guadalcanal Job Now Held Mop-Up * – 8
The Texts of the Day’s Communiques on the Fighting in Various War Zones – 9-11

* The microfilm photo of page 6 of today’s Times was a little out of focus. Sorry.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1942/dec42/f12dec42.htm

Germans attempt to relieve Stalingrad
Saturday, December 12, 1942 www.onwar.com

On the Eastern Front... Operation Winter Storm. German Field Marshal Manstein begins his attack to relieve the forces in the Stalingrad pocket in the south near Kotelnikovo. His forces are comprised of 13 divisions including 3 panzer units. The Soviet 51st Army is defending the area. Farther north the German forces have fought to within 25 miles of the trapped 6th Army, they will get no closer. Once the attack begins, the Soviets quickly move the 2nd Guards Army to take up positions on the Myshova River, however it takes several days for them to arrive and the 51st holds off the German attack alone.

In Tunisia... Four ships are sunk in the Algiers Harbor by Italian midget submarines. Heavy fighting continues near Medjez el Bab.