WIPED OFF THE MAP

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 84, 25 June 1943, Page 4

WIPED OFF THE MAP

WHEN 8.8.C. broadcasts speak of towns in the Ruhr Valley, such as Wuppertal, being literally wiped off the map, as the result of R.A.F. raids, the first impression served to bring- forcibly to mind the methods of the Nazis themselves in the earlier part of the war. The initial recoil of the average person from such stories as "a thousand acres devastated" and "200,000 rendered homeless," is a very natural one and in normal times would be sufficient to cause a gasp of horror to go up from the nation as a whole. But to-day it is a matter for bitter and painful reflection, and the memory of the average Britisher is not kind towards the land of Adolf Hitler. The stories of the calamitous raids in the Ruhr, the industrial heart of war-time Germany should be mingled with the memories of what the German Air Force has been guilty of in the past, in Poland, Holland, Belgium, France, Yugoslavia, Greece and Russia not to mention that outpost of democracy, England herself. And our thoughts should not cease there for two wrongs never made a right, but we have the knowledge and know only too well what the dreaded 'Luftwaffe' would again be capable of if once it was permitted to re-establish itself. Englishmen are notorious for their short memories, which is a virtuous thing in times of peace, but they should reflect that unless the Nazi war machine is destroyed at its very roots —the industrial centres which are day and night turning out Germany's armour, the final clash between armies will mean the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands more of their fellow men —the best, incidentally in the land. Again where propaganda has failed and leaflets have been scorned owing to the tightened grip of the Gestapo, it seems to become an absolute necessity to demonstrate to civilian Germany the striking power of the antiHitler nations and bombing raids on war targets are an effective method. So when we hear of the devastation in civilian Germany the terrifying destruction, the wretched conditions of the homeless, we should remember these things and hope at least that they will hasten the end of all the hideousness and in the long run assist towards the conservation of lives.