The production of military airplanes hit a new high in Oct. 1941, with a rate of 25,000 per year during the month.
That meant the US had reached the halfway point to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s original goal of 50,000 planes a year.
President Roosevelt, OPM officials and army and navy chieftains banned the exact number of planes produced, holding that such information was a military secret.
The most impressive gains were made in the production of navy four-motored bombers, twin-engined medium bombers and dive bombers for both the army and the navy.
OPM reported that there was enough military planes rolling off the assembly lines to set a 25,000 yearly pace. In the same month of 1940, a year earlier, production was only at a clip for 8,904 planes annually.
Rea and Derick Cut Rite store at 1056 PA Avenue, had fountain specials with double-rich ice cream sodas only 10 cents for all flavors. Fresh fruit limeade was five cents and they featured a Saturday special for peanut butter fudge sundaes only 10 cents. Spice drops were nine cents a pound, orange slices 10 cents per pound, and spearmint leaves were 10 cents a pound. A bottle of 100 Anacin cost 98 cents, listerine was 59 cents, and pepsident tooth paste was 49 cents.
Steel’s Drug Store at 5 West 10th Street, was having a one-cent sale for four big days, Wednesday-Thursday-Friday and Saturday. You could buy any two items for the price of one plus one cent.
The U.S. destroyer Kearney was damaged when hit by a torpedo, while on patrol near Iceland. The navy reported no casualties on the incident, which occurred about 350 miles south and west of Iceland. First reports assumed that the Kearney opened up with their guns under President Roosevelt’s “shoot first” order. Not much else was known in the first reports. The ship was able to proceed under its own power.
Tyrone police chief A. D. Mencer successfully completed 12 weeks of intensive training from the FBI National Police Academy. Mencer received a Certificate of Completion of the FBI training course from U.S. Attorney-General Francis Biddle.
Mencer was one of a class of 37 police officers from 25 states.
Training included such subjects as scientific and technical procedures, statistics, records and report write-up, firearms training and first aid, investigating, enforcement and regulatory procedures, police administration and organization and teaching methods. The graduation exercises marked the closing of the Annual Training Session.
The German drive on the Russian capitol of Moscow was halted by the Soviet army and reports of counter-attacks were announced. Heavy losses to the German troops were reported, along with the loss of Nazi heavy equipment-225 trucks, 18 staff cars and 14 artillery guns were destroyed.
S.A. Lozovsky, vice foreign commisar and chief Russian spokesman, declared the Nazi advance had stopped in the Mozhaisk, Maloyaroslavetz and Volokohmst regions of the Moscow defense arc.
The Daily Express in London, reported the Russians blew up two dams on the Don River near Rostov, and that 300 German trucks were trapped in the resultant flood.
Tyrone subdued a stubborn Bedford Bison squad on Nov. 7, 1941, putting all of their points on the scoreboard in the first half and using their tenacious defense keep a 20-0 lead secure.
The Eagles (9-1) got a 52-yard gallop, to the four-yard line, from Ralph “Red” Thomas near the end of the first quarter set up the initial score and then Elmer Parker had his number called on two straight plays for the touchdown.
The Golden Eagle defense, which limited Bedford to only 90 total yards, just 58 rushing, then set up both of the second-quarter scores. The Tyrone “D”” also intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble.
First, Bob Beckwith intercepted a Bedford pass, charging 55 yards with the interception, before a desperation tackle at the four saved a touchdown. A Bedford penalty moved the ball to the B-1, and Thomas blasted over for the TD. Hayes Bickel booted the extra point for a 13-0 lead.
Then, later in the period, Tyrone blocked a Bedford punt attempt and Eagle lineman John Forcey recovered, to set up the Eagle offense at the Bedford-11. Charlie Foust went around end for seven yards to the four. Parker plunged for a yard and Thomas added the short touchdown. Bickel’s PAT capped the scoring for the night.
Tyrone also marched to the Bedford-2 late in the game, but time ran out.
Calvin Noel returned a Bison punt 58 yards to the B-27. Vince Hagg carried twice for seven yards and Parker three times for 15 to get the ball to the two-yard line. Parker lost three yards in two more tires and the game ended with the ball at the Bedford-5.
