1948 THIS WAS THE WEEK THAT... Take a trip down memory lane Sixty years ago this week, there was fighting, a silk surplus and more...

Byline: ANDREW MELVIN

BRITISH forces and civilians were caught up in heavy fighting as Jewish and Arabic soldiers battled in the holy city of Jerusalem.

Around 1,300 Jews were surrounded by 10,000 Arabs in the old city with British troops in the nearby area becoming involved in the gunfire.

Cardiff councillors hit out at Government bureaucracy which had delayed a major development in the city.

Angry at high taxes and national policies to export cement vital for building schemes, they spoke at a building site at Gabalfa.

They said work on the project had been held up for 15 months, during which time 1,000 houses could have been built.

Cinema bosses were due to meet the Government to call for a 2d or 3d rise in the price of tickets, which cost around 1s 9d.

It was announced that during a planned visit to South Wales, Field Marshal Montgomery would stop at the Pontypridd Drill Hall, home to the 5th Battalion of the Welch Regiment, to have tea with the commanding officer.

The US Army Secretary delayed the execution of 17 German soldiers sentenced to die for the killing of unarmed American prisoners during fighting in the Ardennes.

The men had been convicted of complicity in the so-called Malmedy Massacre, but lawyers argued that they had been submitted to "third degree" methods to force them to confess.

Large stocks of fully fashioned pure silk stockings were piling up due to a lack of demand.

Industry bosses warned that there would be mass job losses unless more women snapped up the stockings.

In what was described as "one of the worst cases of the war", a court heard howa defendant turned into a different man following an accident in the RAF.

As a result of falling from a lorry he had developed schizophrenic symptoms and lost all interest in his wife.

The court heard that the serviceman, who admitted stealing a handbag, had been reduced to living alone in a garage and wrote letters to his cat, to which he was devoted.

He was ordered to undergo mental health treatment.

Opposing plans by Aneurin Bevan, Lord Hordet warned that if the state took control of medicine it would be more disastrous than the Church's domination of medicine in the Middle Ages.

In fact, he said, it would be worse, because "at least the Church was cultured".

A man in court for driving offences left officials astonished when he suddenly walked out in the middle of the case.

After being brought back by his wife, he explained that he was not in the habit of wearing a shirt and tie, and having to put them on for his court appearance hadmade him ill.

A scientist predicted that in 10,000 years nobody would have ingrown toenails - because by then human feet would be on their way out. He blamed shoes for causing people's feet to deteriorate over the years.

Air Commodore Frank Whittle was set to be awarded pounds 50,000 tax free by the Government for inventing the jet engine, even though he had not asked for any money and thought it would be wrong to accept it.

Local architectural sculptor G A Cording was working on armorial bearings for Princess Elizabeth. They were to be fitted to the portico of the royal pavilion when she visited the Bath and West Show, taking place in Cardiff the following week.

I REMEMBER...

PICTURES of Princess Anne from 1958 brought memories flooding back for Echo reader Joyce Davies.

Following our report of the young princess' treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Mrs Davies, of Felin Fach, Whitchurch, Cardiff, said: "My daughter Janet Lynne was a patient at the hospital at the same time.

"I remember the security and the press, but I didn't get to see any royalty.

"I also remember the bus strike that was taking place in the same week as I had to make my way from Brixton Hill to the hospital.

"I was told that if I stood at a bus stop I might get a lift.

"Luckily for me I did - it was one time I didn't mind being 'picked up'".

YOUR PART IN HISTORY

WERE you involved in any of the events described here, or do you remember anything about them?

We'd love to hear your memories of this week in 1958. Please drop us a line by writing to Andrew Melvin, South Wales Echo, Thomson House, Havelock Street, CF10 1XR, or e-mail [e-mail]

CAPTION(S):

DEVASTATION: Civilians shelter near a building in Jerusalem left in ruins during Arab-Israeli fighting that raged through the old parts of the city. Left and right, contemporary adverts from the Echo; A very young Princess Anne