April 18, 1944
The post-war Iron Curtain of Communism might have had a different shape if D-Day had been on the beaches of Yugoslavia rather than France. As the calendar pages turned toward an anticipated spring invasion, many ideas were floated, perhaps encouraged by Allied command in an attempt to force Hitler to distribute forces widely. The April 18, 1944 Telegram-Tribune featured a map from the NEA suggesting a vice-like plan of attack that would quickly trap the Nazi forces in eastern Europe. Early in the war Britain stood alone against Nazi power. At that time Stalin believed his border was protected with a paper agreement with Hitler. Staling was soon betrayed by Hitler. By 1944 Stalin was fearful that Britain and America would leave the Soviets alone to fight on the battlefield. Now that the Soviets were taking territory Churchill was interested in checking Russian ambitions after the war. The Balkan invasion plan ignores the logistical problem of getting the needed material from stockpiles in Britain. In addition President Roosevelt did not share Churchill's level of distrust with the Soviet Union.
A playground was planned for City Park in San Luis Obispo. Now known as Mitchell Park, playground installation had been stalled because of wartime manpower shortage. Exchange and Lions Club members were buying, painting and installing benches, swings and slides. The city would provide concrete work and oil and sand for the play area as soon as oil could be obtained.
April 20, 1944
An inside page continued the practice at the time of showing leggy actresses. Paramount's Noel Neill was pictured having her legs sprayed by an unnamed studio painter. Nylons were almost impossible to find during the war.
Six-month-old Yvonne Marie Beze of San Luis Obispo had her name on the nose of a Liberator Bomber in 12-inch-tall letters. Her father, Sgt. Victor W. Beze of 1205 Higuera St. was working in England drafting field plans and maps used to plot attacks over enemy territory. Beze had only seen his daughter in photographs, and the 87 men of the engineering department were inspired and named a training bomber after her. Yvonne is the granddaughter of Frank Quintana, member of one of the area's pioneer families.
Optimistic Americans sent their worst wishes to Adolf Hitler on his 55th birthday. At the Elwood ordnance plant near Joliet, Ill., a high explosive shell was decorated with the painted greeting: "Hope this reaches you soon, Adolf" Hitler would survive to see one more birthday, in an underground Berlin bunker as the Red Army closed in.
The Turkish government announced that nation would no longer ship chrome to Axis powers.
Marshal Josip (Tito) Broz reported the German offensive in Montenegro against Yugoslav partisans had been broken.