– NBC Radio – News Of The World – February 27, 1945 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
News for this February day in 1945 was full of optimism and momentum.
The Western front was now pushing East toward the Rhine River with good reports coming in from all sectors. The U.S. 1st and 9th Armies were meeting German resistance west of Cologne, but during the newscast it was reported the 1st Army was advancing within 8 miles of Cologne. On the Eastern front – Red Army forces had begun what was described as “the final drive to Berlin”. Radio Moscow was silent over the reports, but Berlin Radio was describing the situation as “a merry go-round of death”.
In the Pacific, U.S. Marines were making steady progress on Iwo Jima and were expected to capture the strategic island within a few days. In Manila, General MacArthur proclaimed the Philippine capital as the restored seat of government for that country and turned control over to President Sergio Osmeña. Manila celebrated.
Prime Minister Churchill appeared before the House of Commons to make the first public pronouncement regarding the agreements reached at the recently concluded Big-Three Yalta Conference.
Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill – whispers and speculation over a potential strike by Coal Miners. Union President John L. Lewis wasn’t saying much about the situation, but it was suspected he was getting ready for a list of demands including a .25 an hour pay raise, since contracts were set to expire within weeks. Secretary of Labor Ickes said there was potential for a 50 million ton deficit of coal in 1945, even with steady production, and that the labor force in the coal mines was down to a new low of some 390,000 and it was projected to be 30,000 workers smaller by the end of the year. Ickes went on to warn that the U.S. could ill-afford another strike, no matter how short it lasted.
And that’s a small sample of what went on this day – February 27th, 1945 as presented by NBC Radio’s News Of The World.
