Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1940. HITLER STRIKES AGAIN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 138, 11 May 1940, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1940. HITLER STRIKES AGAIN.

At tliree .o’clock yesterddy morning' Hitler’s troops invaded tlie Low Countries and later German aeroplanes • bombarded places in Switzerland. Yet a few days previously tliis madman of Europe, drunk with tlie success of bis crimes against Poland, Denmark, and Norway, bad told Holland that the movements of troops near the frontier were not directed against that State. Again the lie has preceded base treachery and a ' sudden Nazi blow at people, whose sincere desire was to remain aloof from the awfulness of war. The attack on Holland and Belgium has been long in .its preparation but both countries, particularly in the past few days, knew that it was at hand. Unlike the Norwegians they have been preparing, and their defences are now being put to the test and the valour of their troops exhibited to this enemy of mankind. The method of attack is characteristic of Nazism. Both countries —Luxembourg may also be included for that principality is also attacked —were informed of an imaginary Allied invasion to strike at Germany in the west, and Germany is acting the part of the good neighbour in protecting their neutrality. They were invited not to resist, yet this “peaceful” invasion was accompanied by widespread bombing of open towns and aerodromes, the landing of troops by aeroplanes, and a general attack by troops at the border. It is the customary form of “blitzkrieg” adopted in Poland—the destruction from the air of vital points, the landing of troops to destroy communications, and then the onslaught of armies in ' mechanised transport. A proud Queen has delivered a brave message to her people, and so long as there is a part of Holland free from Nazi pollution there she will be found doingthe duty to which she lias'-called the -nation. The same may be said of the Belgian Monarch.

With this latest Nazi outrage the- war in Sir Dudley Pound’s words lias started at last. It takes on the definite phase which had long been awaited. Britain and France have promptly replied to the Dutch and Belgian appeals for help, and the Germans wlio have been bombing Dutch, Belgian and French towns—they have also dropped incendiary bombs near Chatham —must feel : the weight of the Allied air war. There can be no hesitation on this point. The German people must be taught what bombing means. Similarly, their attempt to strike a blow on the flank against the Allies will involve major conflicts on land and in the air. That Britain is anticipating attacks from the air is proved by the warnings already given to.

the population. Great air battles are already reported .from the new theatres of war and Allied troops are in. Belgium to meet the Huns. The strength of this great counter-blow will very quickly be felt by Hitler, and in the light of this latest adventure it is satisfactory that a large body of troops was not sent to Norway, a fact which no doubt displeased, him very much. The Empire and France’s great testingtime is at hand, but Belgian help is much more formidable than ill 1914 and Holland’s army will also strike hard at the despoilers of their land.