HISTORIC ANNIVERSARY

Evening Star, Issue 23695, 1 October 1940, Page 5

HISTORIC ANNIVERSARY

TRAGIC END DF WARSAW GALLANT DEFENDERS MERCILESSLY CRUSHED NO SUCH FATE FOR LONDON (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 30. (Received October 1, at 10.55 a.m.) In a statement issued on the anniversary of tho capture of Warsaw by the Germans, the Polish Minister of Information compares the ruthless and systematic destruction of the Polish capital by the Germans, after its defences had been overwhelmed, with tho resistance to the similar terroristic attacks on London, backed by defences which proved themselves more than a match for the German Air Force. Professor Strouski says: “To-day is tho anniversary of the entry of the German troops into Warsaw. The story of the siege of Warsaw begins on the first day of the outbreak of hostilities —at dawn on September 1, 1939, with the invasion of Poland by the air forces of Germany, without a declaration of war. The first air raid on Warsaw took place at 6 a.m. on September 1. On September 18, after the German ultimatum to the city to surrender had been rejected, there began the systematic destruction of the city by artillery bombardment and air bombing, which lasted uninterruptedly for 10 days. By September 24 all the public utility services had been destroyed. The city lacked water, electricity, and gas. Bread became scarce and ammunition nearly exhausted, but tho defenders of Warsaw, aided by the civilian population under the leadership of their heroic Lord Mayor, Stefan Starzynski, fought on. “ Infuriated by the continued resistance, the Germans increased the intensity of their bombing and bombardment, which they maintained for three days, and which came to a climax on September 27. The next day the Warsaw Command, lacking all means of defence, capitulated. When, on October 2, tho German army entered Warsaw the capital of Poland was a city of ruins, graveyards, hunger, and disease. “ No one in Poland regrets this destruction. Every Pole knows the defence of Warsaw was unavoidable, because through it Poland demonstrated before the world her determination to defend the freedom and independence of the nation, just as London demonstrates now the determination of Great Britain to defend her Empire and the civilisation of the whole world. London has made its own decision with the same courage which inspired the defenders of Warsaw, but—fortunately for the freedom of the world —with incomparably greater advantages and resources than Warsaw. “ After three weeks of the present blitzkrieg on Loudon it is possible to draw a comparison between the two capitals. Warsaw was completely isolated from the outer world. Tho ring of besieging armies cut off all supplies of food and ammunition. The defence of Warsaw had neither a balloon barrage nor, after a few days, an air force. Its anti-aircraft artillery was silenced in the second week of the siege. The Gorman heavy artillery destroyed all public utility services, and tho Polish capital had no water, gas, or electricity. London, on the other hand, has all its marvellous defences intact. The city is functioning normally as the capital of the Empire. Thanks to the might of the British Navy, it can draw unhampered upon tho resources of the world. An elaborate .balloon barrage is protecting the city. Powerful anti-aircraft artillery is increasing its strength daily. The city is plentifully supplied with food, but, above all, the defences of London can rely upon the assured and growing superiority of the R.A.F. over the Gorman Luftwaffe. Owing to the enormous strength of the British fighter squadrons, the Germans can hardly reach London during the day, and during the night they do not dare to fly low enough to cause as much damage as they did in Warsaw. London may feel secure under the protection of the R.A.F. Every day brings new victories to the British Hurricanes and Spitfires. “ The Polish fighting pilots are particularly happy to be able to have their share in the Battle of London. Already the famous Polish Squadron No. 303 has shot down during the month of September over 100 German planes. By its successes in the Battle of London in September, 1940, the Polish Air Force is repaying the Germans for the tragic fate of Warsaw in 1939.’