Harrowing Scenes in Capital

Evening Star, Issue 23373, 16 September 1939, Page 13

Harrowing Scenes in Capital

Country Ravaged By Nazi Bombers

Appalling Civilian Death Roll

Poles Fight Back Undaunted

Fierce Fighting On Luxemburg Frontier

French Solidly Entrenched On German Soil

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

LONDON, September 15. (Received September 16, at 1 p.ip.)

The Warsaw correspondent of the Belgian newspaper, ‘lndependence Beige,’ describes the city as a ruin of desolation. Many six-story buildings collapsed like a pack of cards. Funeral processions traverse the streets unceasingly. The courage of the soldiers is incredible, many wounded fighting desperately while awaiting medical aid, which is disorganised. “ The Germans are bombing all towns and villages in Southern and Central Poland, which presents a terrible picture,” declared v’a’ dramatic broadcast from the Lwow radio. Hitler has given the order: Destroy everything you meet in your way! and it is being executed to the letter. Siedlce, which had a population of 37,000, is almost completely destroyed. Lublin is ' afire. German airmen are firing bn Polish airmen escaping in parachutes from damaged machines. These methods have not succeeded in conquering Poland’s spirit of resistance. German air raids have killed 20,000 civilians, which exceeds the number oif military (casualties. The towns destroyed include Czestochowa.”

■' The diplomatic corps, including the Papal Nuncio, after inspecting the effects of the bombing of the open town of Krzemieniec (Poland’s third provisional capital) have decided to ask their Government to protest to Berlin, The English, Hungarian, Belgian, Estonian, Swedish, Dutch, and Swiss ministers contributed to the relief of victims of the bombardment at Krzemieniec, where the Germans machine-gunned a crowded market place, killing 30 and wounding 100. Germany had pre-viously-been informed by the Polish Foreign Office that the diplomatic corps had removed to Krzemieniec, A Polish communique states that German hombardment of open towns has assumed the character of systematic destruction of all built-up areas and cities not connected with military objectives. . , A German communique states: “ German troops successfully withstood a desperate Polish attempt to break through in the region of Kutno. Our troops continue the approach to Warsaw and the suburb of Praga from the north-east and from the south-west. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to pierce our lines. Our troops are marching towards Brest-Litovsk and have penetrated the city’s fortified zones from the north. Some forts were blown up, but the citadel is still holding out. In Polish Galicia we captured the oilfield of Jaslo Boryslav after successfully attacking the fortifications at Przeraysl. The German right wing south of Lwow continued its advance with motorised units towards Hordenka in an attempt to close the Polish-Rumanian frontier and cut off the retreat of the Polish armies. Reports indicate that the Polish line along the Carpathians has-been turned as far as Stanislawow.” The United Press correspondent at Zaleszckyki says Polish troops, reinforced by heavy artillery, are fighting bitterly in the defence of Lwow, compelling motorised columns which reached the outskirts to fall back.