World War II Chronicle: September 11, 1941
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The “air battleship” featured on the front page (story on pages two and five) is a Martin XPB2M-1 prototype, and is the largest Allied flying boat. The Mars had a 200-foot wingspan — nearly 50 feet longer than the Boeing 314 Clipper — and will make its first flight on July 3, 1942. The Navy orders 20 of these mammoths during the war, but only six can be built in time before World War II ends and production is cancelled.
For comparison, the Mars weighed about as much empty (75,000 lbs.) and loaded (140,000 lbs.) as a modern-day C-130. Some traded in their bombs and torpedoes for water tanks after the war for conversion to a firebomber, capable of dumping 7,000 gallons of water. Click here for more on Martin’s air battleship.
Pictured on page five are six American volunteers for the Royal Air Force whose ship was torpedoed by the Germans while crossing the Atlantic (see Sept. 9th’s paper).
Hidden away on the page 45 is a mention of the passing of bareknuckle boxing legend Jem Carney in London, England. In 1884 Carney defeated Jake Hyams for the English lightweight title in a bout lasting 45 rounds (Marquess of Queensberry Rules did not limit rounds). But more impressive was his 1887 fight against world lightweight champion Jack McAuliffe in Revere, Mass. which lasted an incredible 74 rounds (3 hours, 45 minutes) and resulted in a draw. McAuliffe, who defended his title on at least two occasions in East Coast barns, would retire undefeated in 1897.
Evening star. (Washington, D.C.), 11 September 1941. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1941-09-11/ed-1/