News on this particular February 8th was ominous. The Japanese had stepped up their assault on Singapore with increased air attacks on the city. It was an omen for things to come as the Allies were bracing for new loses, especially in the Pacific region. Feelers were put out to Russia for military assistance, but they had their own set of problems to deal with on the Eastern front.
U.S. shipping was suffering with 20 ships sunk so far in coastal waters and reports of an oil tanker torpedoed earlier on this day.
Domestically - reports were coming in of tremendous financial windfalls for companies getting defense contracts and there were rumors the Dairy Farmers were going to unionize. All adding to the headaches of running a war.
And speaking of war - the nation was switching to War Time as of this day with clocks moving one hour ahead and would stay that way for the duration. We usually call it Daylight Savings Time, but this was going to be permanent, at least for the time.
And that's how the news went seventy years ago on this February 8th in 1942 as reported by NBC and their Morning News Roundup.
