BATTLE FOR WARSAW

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20036, 7 September 1939, Page 5

BATTLE FOR WARSAW

Major Clash Awaited HEROIC STAND BY POLES INVADERS' OVERWHELMING NUMBERS Sabotage Betrayal By German Minority (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reecl. Sept. 7. IF a.in.) LONDON, Sept, G. To-day’s messages from Warsaw staled that a major battle for the capital was expected hourly. Machine-guns were heard chattering on the edge ol: the city. Warsaw reported heavy fighting 30 miles north-north-east ol Warsaw on a line joining Plonsk and Gienhanow. This was likely to be the first decisive battle since the invasion. If the Poles were unable lo hold the Germans their last stand before the capital would probably be Novydwor, 15 miles to the north-west. The Germans are strongly supported by tanks find were, in seemingly overwhelming numbers. The Warsaw communique states that the Germans to-day reached a point between Pou.sk and Chiechanow, bringing the advance of motorised units 35 miles northward oi Warsaw. On the south-west the Poles were holding overwhelming numbers of the enemy. There was sharp fighting in the Warta-Kamiensk region south-west of Warsaw. The East Prussian front was unchanged. On the south-western front the enemy was receded and bis forces held in cheek. Enemy planes continued to harass the entire operations, bombarding town's, transport columns and infantry. Polish planes effectively bombarded armoured ear detachments. Fortifications were reported to have fallen into German hands after fierce fighting. The Poles were retreating south-east wards in orderly fashion. j Budapest reports that a Polish radio announcement interrupted a programme appealing for citizens to report to the nearest police with spades to dig trenches around Warsaw. It was declared that all man-power was needed. It was reported from Lublin that the Polish defence was handicapped by sabotage carried on by the German minority. A whole village in the Lublin district, hearing gunfire, rushed out shouting: “Heil Hitler.” Many were arrested for espionage. A number of German parachutists who dropped behind the Polish lines dressed as Polish soldiers were captured, court martial led and sentenced to death. A Berlin radio announcement to-day staged that the Germans were advancing rapidly on Warsaw from the jiorth.