BOMBING RAIDS ON TOWNS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20032, 2 September 1939, Page 5

BOMBING RAIDS ON TOWNS

Residents Taken by Surprise

LOSS OF MANY LIVES FEARED Invasion Irom Prussia and Slovakia TROOPS SWEEPING TOWARDS CAPITAL ' 1 Italy Declares Neutrality in Conflict i ; (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. September 2, 11.30 a.ia.) — l,n LONDON, Sept.l. The Paris correspondent of the United Press of America states that the Polish Embassy announced that Germany had invaded Poland at four points. The Polish Embassy in London said that the towns bombarded were taken! completely unawares. “Nobody supposed that there would be a war without a declaration,” he said. “They have bombed our cities. Polish officials in London state that nine towns, including Warsaw, were bombed by German planes. An unconfirmed report from Helsingfors states that the German fleet bombarded Gdynia, the Polish port. A* German radio announcement declares that Cracow was bombed. The Embassy reports that many lives, including women and children, were lost in the Warsaw air raid and also that communication with Warsaw has been suspended except by radio.

Polish sources in Paris say that the Germans launched simultaneously attacks ft’om Prussia and Slovakia, the northern army sweeping toward Mlawa, 60 miles north of Warsaw. The southern forces are moving up the Czestochowa in high Silesia. Both concerted infantry drives are supported by artillery and planes. German bombing squadrons attacked Gdynia.

Warsaw reports that air raids started simultaneously at 5 a.m. at West.erplatte, Puck, Dzialdowo and Hotnice. The casualties at Cracow and Katowics are stated to be small, 'but the number is unknown. It is claimed in Danzig that heimweTvr attacked Westerplatte, the Polish military base in Danzig harbour, but were repulsed. A radio call ordered the mobilisation of ,the army and the evacuation of the principal Polish cities.

A message from Berlin states that Polish artillery shelled the railway station at Beuthen. The Polish Embassy staff is leaving forthwith.

Reuter’s Agency in Paris confirms reports that Germany attacked without an ultimatum, the offensive developing- in three directions, firstly from the East Prussian area, secondly "towards Silesia and thirdly northwards from Slovakia. An unconfirmed report states that German troops occupied Danzig

A message from Paris says it is understood that the Boles are retreating slowly to previously prepared positions in Upper Silesia.

It is announced in Berlin that German troops crossed all the German-Polish frontiers in a counter-attack. The German air arm had also come into action. The German Commander.

General Braucliitseh, in a radio message to the army, said: “After other means have failed, weapons must decide. As { successors to the proud traditions of the old army, the Nazi army is now undertaking the defence of Germany. We fight Under the supreme command of the Fuehrer.” The message concludes: “Forward with God for Germany.” A message from Rome states that Italy has declared her neutrality. A Council of Ministers'in Rome decided that Italy would refrain from any military initiative in the conflict between Germany and Poland.

From Bucharest comes the news tha.t King Carol called the Crown Council together to proclaim Rumania’s neutrality.

A Polish official source informed the United Press that Poland has invoked the military alliance wfith Britain and asked for aid.