This Week in Belmont History: Predictions for WWII

Belmont Citizen

Sept. 8, 1939

Historian States His Opinion on War Alignments

Professor Frank Nowak Sees Balkan Aid for Poland. 

"The United States, Russia, and Italy in self-interest will remain neutral, but the Balkan states, particularly Rumania and Yugoslavia, will soon forsake neutrality to join Poland against Germany," Dr. Frank Nowak, Polish historian and professor of history at Boston University, predicted this week.

He admitted it was not the function of the historian to prophecy, but said it was his opinion that if the allies gave her supplies, Poland would hold out indefinitely…

There was no doubt in his mind about the continued neutrality of Russia…

The Reich is not so weak as people think she is … I think she can continue the war for a long time…'

Prof. Nowak has spent many hours this week at his home at 12 Elizabeth Rd. listening to short-wave broadcasts from European capitals."

Belmont Citizen

Sept. 12, 1941

A sad and touching story:

Local Man Saves Boy From Harbor

Guided by directions from an amplifier-equipped police car on shore, Murdock C. Carmichael off 44 Brookside ave, piloted his cabin cruiser to the rescue of a 12-year-old boy who was drifting out to sea off Fort Heath, Winthrop Highlands, Sunday, clinging to an overturned homemade dinghy.

The boy was Charles McLaughlin of Winthrop. He said his "smaller brother George, 10, and sister, Teresa, 8, sank when the boat overturned and did not reappear on the surface."

Mr. Carmichael was the "proprietor of Carmichael motors on Flett rd.  He, his wife and young son were hosting Mr. and Mrs. Edward Atkinson of Maple terrace, and Mr. and Mrs. William Dunn of Brighton.  A police amplifier message caught Mr. Carmichael's attention and he then proceeded to search for the boy in the choppy sea.  He found the boy blue with cold, brought him near the shore, where he was brought by police to Winthrop Community Hospital.

Belmont Citizen,

Sept. 11, 1942

The fact that war industry was up and running was reflected on the front page of this issue.  Factories were calling for metal to be used in manufacturing arms and military vehicles for the World War. 

An article on the same page announces a collection date for "Scrap Metals".

The Belmont Salvage Committee issued instructions today for the preparation of scrap metals for next week's all out drive. All kind of scrap metal, except tin cans, will be collected during the week of Sep. 14-18.  (Tin cans will be collected September 21-26.

Belmont Citizen

Sept. 10, 1943

Col. Van Horn To Leave Army After 42 Years

After forty-two years of varied Army service, Col. James H. Van Horn of 43 Hastings rd, chief of the Signal Corps in New England since June, 1937, will be retired to the civilian life on September 30 under the Army ban on active duty for over age officers….

Principal Is Third Victim Of Infantile

Principal Wayne M. Shipman of Belmont High School this week was the third victim of infantile paralysis – polio – among a local group of eighteen persons who attended a boys' summer camp in the Berkshires.

Mr. Shipman, who with fifteen boys had been under quarantine since Saturday, showed symptoms of an apparently mild case of the disease Wednesday and was removed from his Pine st home to the Haines Memorial Hospital in Allston….