This Week in WWII - by Tom "Crash" Davis

September 6, 1944: 

• The blackout in London and other cities in England in replaced with a "dim out" as invasion is no longer a possibility and further bombing seems unlikely.
• Ghent and Liege are liberated by British forces.

September 8, 1943:

• General Dwight D. Eisenhower publicly announces the surrender of Italy.

September 8, 1944:

• Canadian troops liberate Ostend.
• Soviet troops enter Bulgaria.  Bulgaria surrenders and declares war on Germany.

September 9, 1943:

• The Allies land at Salerno.
• British troops enter Taranto.
• The Allies  begin the long trudge up the boot of Italy.
• The Soviet Army launches an offensive aimed at Kiev, the capital of the Ukraine.
• Iran, which has sat on the sidelines while entertaining overtures from both the Germans and the Allies, finally sees the writing on the wall and declares war on Germany

September 9, 1944:

• The first V-2 rocket hits London.
• The Allied Supreme Command is forced to re-evaluate its strategy.
• Men and material are diverted from Patton and given to Montgomery so that Montgomery can clear Holland of the V-2 launch sites.
• This will result in the disaster called Operation Market Garden

Cubs - Cardinals At It Again

Wrigley Field, Chicago
Wilks vs Wyse
St. Louis 8  Chicago 1
The Cardinals and Cubs went at it again, this time in Chicago, as they played back to back four game series.  After losing the series in St Louis the Cubbies were looking to turn the tables on the Redbirds at home.  If the first game of the series was any indication then Chicago was in for more of the same.  Led by Stan Musial, the Cardinals jumped on Hank Wyse for 4 runs in the 3rd and never looked back as they took the open 8-1.  "The Man" went 3 for 3 with 2 walks and Marty Marion had 3 RBI to lead St. Louis.  Ted Wilks tossed a complete game.

Wrigley Field, Chicago
Lanier vs Derringer
St. Louis 3  Chicago 0
Game two was a well pitched game and through 7 innings there were nothing but goose eggs on the scoreboard.  Something had to give and it was Chicago who gave up a run in the 8th on a Danny Litwhiler RBI single.  The Cardinals added two insurance runs in the top of the 9th when second baseman Emil Verban plated 2 more.  Three St. Louis pitchers combined on the shutout as the Cardinals take game two, 3-0

Wrigley Field, Chicago
Brecheen vs Passeau
Chicago 8  St. Louis 5
The Cubs finally got on the scoreboard first with a run in the 3rd and then added one more in the 4th and 3 in the 5th to take a 4-0 lead after 5.  The Cardinals offense came to life in the 6th as they tied the game with the help of a Johnny Hopp homerun.  However, Chicago regained the lead in the bottom of the inning as they scored 2 more runs and went on to win 8-5.  Ed Sauer led the Chicago offense going 2 for 3 with a homerun while scoring 2 runs driving in 3 and swiping a base.  Chicago's starter, Claude Passeau has been the only pitcher to date to figure out how to stop the high powered St. Louis offense as he has handed them their only 2 loses on the season.

Wrigley Field, Chicago
Munger vs Prim
St. Louis 8  Chicago 5
The Cardinals scored solo runs in the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th innings to take what appeared to be a safe 4-1 lead into the 8th inning.  But Chicago put together some hits to score 3 runs and suddenly the game was tied 4-4 headed into the 9th.  The bullpen broke down and allowed St. Louis to take the lead on an RBI single by Johnny Hopp and then, for good measure, gave up 3 more in the inning.  That was all that was needed as the Cardinals win the game 8-5 and the series 3 games to 1.  Johnny Hopp led the Cardinal offense with 3 hits and 2 RBI.

Mack-men and Bombers split

The fans were fearful of what was to happen, as their team had just limped home after being swept in New York.  Some fans were hoping for revenge, others just wanted to get it over.  On paper the Yankees completely over matched the A's both in pitching and in hitting.  For Philadelphia it was just another long series, more losses, more boos and more booze.
The A's used Bobo Newsom in the opener and were hoping to at least get one win with Bobo on the mound.  He wasn't clowning around, no red noses or clumsy feet, just a hard throwing right hander that was looking to make things right.  Bobo toiled through all 9 innings and it was not in vain as his guys scored 4 times and he was able to hold the hot Yankee bats to just 7 hits and 2 runs.  Kell went 4/4 driving in 2 and scoring 1. A's 4 - Yanks 2

Borowy took the mound for the Yanks in game 2 with an over 4.00 ERA and yet he handcuffed the Snuffy Stirnweiss both drove in 2 and the Yankees triumphed 5-2.

A's hitters for the first 8 innings.  The bright spot of the A's was their FIRST home run of the season, hit by Hayes.  The Yankees with 8 hits, the same as the A's, were able to gave a little help when Kell muffed an easy ground ball that should have ended the inning. The inning did come to an end but it was 2 runs later. Yankees hitters Bill Dickey and

No one foresaw the ugliness of the first game of the double header. The Yankees had fire in the tummy and viciously attacked Christopher in only his 2nd start of the year. He was punished for 2 runs in the top of the first, 3 in the top of the third and then was sent to the showers in the top of the fourth when they hammered him for 5 more. Scheib came in when Christopher's arm fell to the ground with a thump.  He only muttered to himself as he left the field "Damn Yankees, those damn Yankees" (and so it was on that  a future writer was "boinged" with a title for a book).  The Yankees onslaught lasted all through the game. Nick  Etten drove in 5 while Dickey scored 5.  The bombers went an amazing 21 for 47. 17-4

In the tunnels beneath the stadium, the A's felt sick as if the "black plague" or some other killer disease had been brought into the clubhouse. They all sat stunned.  There may have been no joy in Mudville, but in Philadelphia it was much much worse. Many of the fans were already so intoxicated by the end of the first game, they were considering bringing back prohibition for the rest of the day. But out came the A's, wearing the dirty sweaty uniforms they had just been defeated in.  They were seething, to be so humiliated, humbled in their own house. Blasphemy! Jesse Flores came out first, the pitcher led the way, then the catcher and then in order of their position until all were on the field.  A roar went up among the faithful... No one knew what they were saying as their attention was all on the game.  The Yankees took the lead in the first when Keller hammered one to deep left. A huge groan was released, some shouted "Not again, call it now!", but Flores raised his hand and silenced the crowd and then silenced the Yankees. The Yankees eeked another run in the top of the fourth but the A's fought back with one to stay only one down.  In the bottom of the 6th, the A's had three seeing eye singles that had followed Flores double.  A misplayed ball by Lindell in rightfield kept the good guys on the field until 3 runs had scored. Flores was pumped. He now led 4-2. But it wouldn't last for him, too excited, too anxious, he argued over a ball four call putting the tie run at the plate. The A's had already gotten Wheaton up, just in case.  "YOU'RE outta here" explained the ump. "I call the balls and strikes and you are gone". The ump turned to the A's bench, knowing he had been wrong but nonetheless, he was in charge.  No one came out to challenge, just Woody Wheaton ran to the pitcher's mound and began his work.  Wheaton settled it down as he retired the next two Yankees to end the inning.  When Wheaton took the mound in the top of the 9th, he still clung to the 2 run adavantage. He walked the first hitter, cries throughout Philadelphia went up, "WHY, WHY???". But the next hitters went meekly and weakly and game came to an end.  A's 4, Yankees 2.  They got a split of the double header and the series.

--submitted by Orion Bell--

Tribe and Tigers split series in Motown

GAME 1 - Briggs Stadium

Bagby vs Newhouser

Indians 2, Tigers 1

A pitcher's duel for the ages.  Jim Bagby went all 11 innings and gave up just 1 run on 6 hits to best Tiger ace "Prince" Hal Newhouser, "only" went 8.  Al Benton gave up the winning run in the top of the 11 to take it on the chin.  Bagby did it with the bat too, going 3 for 5 including a two out triple in the 11th.  Hockett doubled home Bagby to put the Tribe ahead for good.

GAME 2

Reynolds vs Trout

Tigers 3, Indians 2

Cleveland left 9 on base and squandered an 11 hit performance as Dizzy Trout bent, but never broke.  Trout gave up just 2 runs while going the distance.  Jimmy Outlaw was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate for the hometown heroes.

GAME 3

A.Smith vs Mueller

Indians 9, Tigers 0

A beautiful 1 hitter by Al "the Governor" Smith was supported nicely by a 9 run drubbing of Detroit hurlers.  Smith carried his no hit bid into the 6th when catcher Swift led off the inning with the only hit of the game for Motown.  Kid shortstop Lou Boudreau was 3 for 5 with 3 RBI's.  Leftfielder Heath (2-5), had 4 RBI's of his own.  Ken Keltner had 3 safeties as every tribe batsman had himself a hit.

GAME 4

Harder vs Benton

Tigers 5, Indians 2

After plating 3 runs in the bottom of the first the Tigers never trailed in the second game of this Sunday twin-bill.  Hammerin' Hank Greenberg, fresh off his discharge from Uncle Sam's world tour, was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.  Catcher Swift was 3 for 4.  Greenberg scored 2 runs and taught the Tribe a valuable lesson, "You can walk me if you'd like, but that won't keep me from finding home".  Hank, all of Detroit is glad you are home.  Roy Cullenbine, doing double duty for both the Tribe and Motown hit a 2 run shot to account for all of the former's runs on the day.

Jints take 3 of 4 from Reds in Queen City

GAME 1 - Crosley Field

A.Hansen vs Walters

Giants 4, Reds 2

Back to back RBI singles by George Hausmann and Buddy Kerr in the top of the 9th broke a 2-2 tie and propelled the Jints to victory.  Poor Bucky Walters took his 4th consecutive loss for the hometown Reds.  Mel Ott hit is 3rd homer of the season and had 2 of NY's 4 RBI's.

GAME 2

Mungo vs Heusser

Reds 2, Giants 1

Ed Heusser gave up 7 hits in 8 innings, but somehow found a way to limit the damage to just 1 run.  It's a good thing he was so stingy, because his teammates were only able to provide him with 2 runs.  RBI's by W.Willians and Clay in the bottom of the 5th were all Heusser needed.  Beggs came on and pitched a tenuous, but scoreless 9th to save the game.

GAME 3

Brewer vs Shoun

Giants 7, Reds 1

The visitor's from Gotham broke up a scoreless tie with 4 in the top of the 5th and never looked back.  The top 5 batters in New York's lineup was responsible for 10 hits and 5 RBI's to make Jack Brewer's day on the bump easy.  Leadoff man Mel Ott was 2 for 5 with 3 runs scored.  Billy Jurges knocked in 3 runs from the 5 hole.

GAME 4

Voiselle vs De la Cruz

Giants 5, Reds 2

New York added to their 1 run lead with 4 monster runs in the top of the 7th.  Pitcher Bill Voiselle went 8 2/3 and gave up just 1 earned run (2 total).  On the way he knocked in 2 runs with sacrifices.  Jurges had another big RBI day as well as he chipped in 2 from the leadoff spot.  The Redlegs were polite hosts dropping 3 of 4 to the vistors from back east.

Featured Player: Moe Berg by Tom "Crash" Davis

Moe Berg attended Princeton and was a star thirdbaseman for their baseball team.  After graduation he signed with both the Brooklyn Robins (as the Dodgers were then known) and Columbia Law School.  After his initial season with the Robins in which he batted a paltry .186, he was sent to Minneapolis and Toledo.  He returned to the majors with the White Sox in 1926. When all three White Sox catchers went down with injuries, Manager Ray Schalk looked down the bench and asked in anyone could catch.  Berg replied that he used to think he could but his high school coach told him differently.  Schalk sent him into the game asking him to prove the high school coach wrong.  Berg did and became a fixture at catcher.  He reported late the next two years so that he could finish his studies at Columbia from which he graduated in 1930.  

   In 1934 he went on a tour of Japan with some other baseball players.  During this visit he talked his way into St. Luke's Hospital on the pretense of visiting a patient.  Instead he went to the roof and used a motion picture camera to photograph the Tokyo skyline.  These films were used by General Doolittle in planning his April 1942 air raid on Tokyo, although their contribution was minimal.  

  He continued his playing career until 1939 after which he became a coach for the Boston Red Sox.  One of his most famous students was Ted Williams.  In his second year, Williams wanted to mold himself after Gehrig or Ruth.  Berg encouraged him not to, but to emulate Shoeless Joe Jackson instead.  He told Williams he had the best wrist action he had ever seen and he should use that.

  Berg spoke at least seven languages and some say as many as twelve.  When told this, Senator outfielder Dave Harris famously commented "Yeah, and he cant hit in any of them."

  In 1943 Berg was recruited into the OSS by Colonel "Wild Bill" Donovan (although a general when he retired form active service, Donovan preferred to be addressed as Colonel).  Berg was assigned to the Balkans and spent the next two years moving throughout occupied Europe.  His basic assignment was to meet and seek out European physicists and encourage them to defect.  At one point, he was sent to Zurich to determine how much a particular physicist knew about atomic weapons.  His orders were to kill the man if he thought the Germans were getting close.  Berg determined that they were not and so the physicist lived.   

   Berg returned to the US in April 1945 and resigned from the OSS.  He was awarded the Medal of Freedom which he refused to accept (his sister, with whom he lived the last 12 years of his life, accepted for him after his death).  Although both the White Sox and the Red Sox wanted him to return to coaching, Berg declined.  In the 50's he was hired by the CIA to investigate the Soviet atomic program using his contacts from WWII.  The CIA paid him $10,000 for expenses but got virtually nothing in return.  

   For the remainder of his life, Berg lived off family and friends who tolerated him because of his immense charisma.  He died on May 29, 1972 from injuries suffered from a fall at home.  The nurse attending him said that his final words were "How did the Mets do today?"  (They had won.)  A fitting ending to a man who when once criticized for wasting his intellectual talents on baseball replied, "I would rather be a ballplayer than a Justice of the Supreme Court."

Editor's Note:  If you want to learn more about Moe, read the book written about his life called, "The Catcher Was a Spy".

         

This Week in WWII - by Tom "Crash" Davis

September 1, 1944:  Canadians avenge the Disaster at Dieppe and capture the French town. 

September 2, 1944:  Allied forces enter Belgium
                                     Finland signs an armistice with th Soviet Union and demands the removal of Gernman troops from its soil.

September 2, 1945:  General Tomoyuki Yamashita of the Imperial Japanese Army surrenders to American and Filipino forces at Kiangan, Ifugao, in the northern Phillipines.
                                     The Articles of Surrender are signed by the Japanese and all members of the Allied forces on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
                                     Ho Chi Minh uses a copy of the American Declaration of Independence provided to him by the OSS to draft his Proclamation of Independence.  He declares himself President of Vietnam and seeks recognition byy the United States but is continually rebuffed by Prsident Truman.

September 3, 1943:  General Sir Bernard Montgomery lands Allied forces at Reggio di Calabria. starting the invasion of mainland Italy.  The Italian governmnt overthrows Benito Mussolini and signs an Armistice with the Allies.. 
                                      Hitler order the evacuation of civlians from Berlin
September 3, 1944.  Th British Second Army liberates Brussels while further south American and French troops enter Lyon.


September 4, 1943:  The Soviet Union declares wa on Bulgaria.
                                      The 503rd Parachute Regiment under General Douglas "Dugout Doug" MacArthur lands and occupies Nadzab, just east of Lae, Papua, New Guinea. Lae falls shortly thereafter.  Australian :Diggers: occupy Salamau 
September 4, 1944:  The British stop Operation Outward.  Operation Outward was the use of hot air balloons to disrupt the German occupation of europe.  The balloons either trailed a long steel wire designed to cut power and phone transmission lines or carried three incendiary bombs.  The first launches had taken place on March 20, 1942.  Outward's greatest success came on July 12, 1942 when one of the steel carrying balloons struck a 110,000 olt power line near Liepzig.  The failure of a circuit breaker caused a fire that destroyed a power station.  By August, 1942, British WRNS (Women's Royal Navy Serivice) were deploying 1000 balloons a day.  Up to 140 women were employed in this "cottage" industry.