SIGNS OF AWAKENING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 60, 3 June 1942, Page 4

SIGNS OF AWAKENING

NEWS of the staggering immensity of the raid upon Cologne had scarcely been absorbed by the awaiting ears of Empire, than was pictured the appalling scene of devastation, which was once the most beautiful frontier cities on the "Rhine. The greatest air armada in history has been launched by Britain in reply to the German luftwaffe' of two years ago, and its stupendous striking power can be realised by the cry of anguish which it has wrung from the long suffering people who will be known to history by the kinder appellation of "Hitler's Puppets." Three thousand tons of bombs raining like hail from the sky in a shower of but ninety minutes duration—this was terrific punishment to which the citizens of Cologne were subjected. This is the nightmare which turned, the fearful attention of the German populace, momentarily from the shambles of Kharkov and sent Goebbels screaming to the: microphone to hurl fresh invective at the brutality of the British Air Force. It is a vastly different thing when the Nazis have to suffer at their own game. It was a cause for delight when England was unmercifully blitzed! Now it is Germany's turn. But this time the retribution is tenfold. Can she take it as London did? We fear not. And to crown the deed, the familiar growl of Churchill's voice goes out over the air to beleagued Germany assuring that this will be the fate reserved for their country, city by city. It would almost appear, that with Britain's further development of her devastating striking power from the air, that the curtains were already gathering about the Nazi regime. Already Rommels new Libyan campaign appears to have crumbled under the weight of the British air offensive, while the Russian front isjikewise not a pleasant picture. Just where the destroying power of the next R.A.F. hammer blow will fall also remains unguessed by either side but we are thankful the nightmare of worry in this respect is no longer with the people at Home.