As was the case with most every report during the World War 2 years, news on battles, campaigns and the War Effort took predominance in radio newscasts of the time.
This day in January in 1944 the news was about the Italian campaign and the slow, mud-ridden push towards Rome. The main source of concern was in the Monte Casino area, where German troops were securely entrenched around the historic Monastery and the fighting was relentless.
Other news was on the diplomatic front. First came a report that The Soviet Union was refusing the recognize the Polish government in exile, based on reports that the exiled government was perpetuating Nazi propaganda that Soviet troops had committed atrocities against Polish civilians in 1940. An investigation and press confirmation revealed the atrocities were committed instead by German troops and the alleged massacre took place a year later in 1941. The Polish government in exile refused to back down and the freeze continued.
Also came news that the government of Argentina decided to join the allies and sever diplomatic ties to Germany.
And news on the home front was less than flattering with reports of an investigation on the Black Market and War Profiteering going on throughout the country revealed the practice was widespread and all but out in the open, with meat and stockings being the biggest sellers. Gotta look good at any price, I suppose.
And that's how it all went down, this January 26, 1944 via NBC News.
