http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/frame.htm
December 17th, 1942
UNITED KINGDOM: London: In the House of Commons today Anthony Eden, the British foreign secretary, read a lengthy declaration by the Allied governments condemning the Nazis’ systematic extermination of the Europe’s Jews and giving warning that those responsible for the atrocities will face retribution after the war. The declaration is being broadcast simultaneously from London, Washington and Moscow, personally approved by Roosevelt and Churchill. It is carried on the BBC and other Allied radio stations.
The declaration speaks of “the appalling horror and brutality” of the Nazis’ actions. Poland , it says, “has been made the principal Nazi slaughterhouse”, where “the able bodied are slowly worked to death, the infirm are left to die of exposure and starvation or are deliberately massacred”. Sidney Silverman, the Jewish Labour MP for Nelson and Colne, asked whether the Allied governments would consider what measures of immediate relief could be given to Europe’s Jews. “We shall do what we can,” Eden said, “though I fear that what we can do may inevitably be slight.”
In the House of Lords, where Viscount Samuel, speaking as a Jew, expressed the gratitude of British Jews for the action they were taking. He hoped that something could be done, to save at least the children. Other speakers suggested that neutral nations should be offered Allied help for the maintenance of Jews to whom they gave sanctuary.” It also described “the systematic mass murder of millions of Jews”, which it called “this bestial policy of cold-blooded extermination”. (Sidney Allinson)
Escort carrier HMS Rajah laid down. (Dave Shirlaw)
GERMANY:
U-774 laid down.
U-237, U-363, U-961, U-962 launched.
U-953 commissioned
. (Dave Shirlaw)
U.S.S.R.: The logistics for the Soviet supply forces in the Stalingrad battle becomes much easier as the Volga freezes. The German relieve column continues to advance.
Black Sea Fleet and Azov Flotilla: Submarine “M-31” - by surface ASW ships and Uj80, at Jerbiyanskaya Harbor, close to Sulina. (Sergey Anisimov)(69)
MEDITERRANEAN SEA: The British submarine HMS SPLENDID sinks the Italian destroyer AVIERE off Bizerta.
NORTH AFRICA: Rommel leaves a rearguard to cover his retreat to Buerat. Tunis and Gabes in Tunisia are targets of US air strikes.
ALGERIA: Algiers: Admiral Darlan orders French ships in North African ports to join the Allies, saying: “French Africa ... must make the maximum military effort for the defeat of Germany and Italy.”
BURMA: The 14th Indian Division occupies Buthidaung.
SOLOMON ISLANDS: Guadalcanal: The 1st and 3rd Btns of the US 132nd Infantry begin their advance from the Lunga perimeter toward Mt Austen and the Japanese position that will become known as the Gifu.
CANADA: Minesweeper HMCS Wallaceburg launched Port Arthur, Ontario. (Dave Shirlaw)
U.S.A.: The motion picture “Random Harvest” premieres at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City; it plays for a record 11 weeks breaking the record set by “Mrs Miniver.” Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, this romantic drama based on a James Hilton novel stars Ronald Colman, Greer Garson, Susan Peters and Reginald Owen. (Jack McKillop)
Submarine USS Bluegill laid down.
Escort carrier USS Corregidor laid down.
USCGC Natsek disappears in Belle Isle Strait. There were no survivors. It was thought that she capsized due to sever icing. (Dave Shirlaw)
ATLANTIC OCEAN: Whilst escorting convoy ON.153, destroyer HMS Firedrake is torpedoed and sunk by U-211 (Kapitanleutnant Karl Hause) 600 miles South of Iceland at 50 50N 25 15W. 35 crew members cling to the stern section and fire star shells to attract the attention of HMS Sunflower which is able to rescue 26 survivors in heavy seas. (Alex Gordon)(108)
U-432 sank SS Poitou. (Dave Shirlaw)
Homer and Mrs. Homer enjoyed the novel. We’ll send Crowther to Radio City to see how it translates to the screen. Report tomorrow.