CBS World News Today – February 18, 1945

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles and the occasional radio broadcast delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
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Find the following description of today’s broadcast here.

“2/18/45: Doug Edwards: General MacArthur announced that Corregidor has been invaded. [The U.S. 5th Air Force dropped a parachute regiment on Corregidor on February 16th.] Iwo Jima is being shelled in support of an imminent landing by U.S. forces. [This invasion occurred on February 19th.] Japanese troops inside Manila were told to surrender. In France, Charles Collingwood reports that the 1st Canadian Army is pushing its way through the Siegfried Line and is a mile away from the town of Goch. From somewhere in Belgium, Bill Downs reports that rain is hindering troop movements. The Germans are preparing for a final great battle. Teaser ad for the Admiral “dual temp” refrigerator: “two refrigerators in one.” London (Eric Sevareid): Surrender for Germany will be unconditional. It is still being debated as to who will run Germany after the war ends. This includes German industries, police, fire, press & radio, etc. Pearl Harbor: Staff Sgt. Charles Alamin who flew 13 missions over Tokyo as well as missions over Iwo Jima and Truk is interviewed. Carrier-based planes attacked Tokyo last week. [These attacks began on February 16th and lasted for two days.] Control of Iwo Jima is important because it is only 750 miles from Japan. Major George Fielding Eliot reports that there has been no official confirmation of Japanese radio reports that the invasion of Iwo Jima has begun. The carrier strikes against Tokyo are not isolated events and might be an attempt to bring out what remains of the Japanese fleet for a final sea battle. Washington: Chris Coffin interviews a private who was starting a career as a professional baseball player when he was drafted in 1941. Serving as a medic, he lost both legs at Anzio. After the war, he plans on becoming physical ed instructor. In a message to his troops, General Montgomery said that they are engaged in “the last and final round” of the German war. Major Eliot returns to comment that this remark is “significant.” Teaser ad for the Admiral “Slide-away” phonograph, which will be available “when peace comes.” PSA for car-pooling. ‘Join one today for victory.’”

To listen to the broadcast click on the link below.

CBS World News Today, February 18, 1945

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