NAZI CAMOUFLAGE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 140, 14 May 1940, Page 7

NAZI CAMOUFLAGE.

DEATH PENALTY. IMPOSED. LONDON, May 12. The Prime Minister of. France (M. Reyuaud), in a statement, said the French would immediately shoot any German, parachute troops disguised in Allied uniforms. To this a German spokesman replied that the parachute troops were regular troops of the German army wearing a special uniform and not camouflaged. Any ill-treatment of captured parachute troops would result in prompt and most sharp counter-measures. Meanwhile, the Germans arc maintaining their parachute tactics in Belgium and Holland, hut whoijeas parachute troops in. Holland aimed at the capture of aerodromes, the purpose of parachute troops in Belgium is mainly concerned with sabotage,and the circulation of alarmist rumours. The French announcement coincides with a wave of indignation against German-war-methods which is sweeping through France. For instance, one neTvspaper. -Le Temps, which is noted for its moderate language, to-night demands an “eye lor an eye.” It was urging the immediate execution or Germans in bogus uniforms at the very moinent that tlie authorities were announcing that tliis was to be done. DUTCH PROTESTS. Earlier to-day. tlie Netherlands Government issued protests against Geiman breaches of international law. Special mention was made of tlie misuse of Dutch uniforms by the invaders and the use of Dutch prisoners as a shield for German troops. v The Dutch statement concluded: “ \Ve understand now what the Fuehrer meant by honesty and chivalry.” • 'the Germans claim that what they call tlieir parachute pilots are part of the regular army, but they now admit that they wear a special uniform. "Whatever it might be, there is overwhelming evidence that the Geinians who have been dropped from tlie skies were not only wearing Dutch and British uniforms, but even have been disguised as clergymen, peasants, and workmen. . ... Some of these parachutists, accoidmg to the Brussels radio, have also been found carrying forged .documents authorising them to demolish fortifications and bridges for reasons of defence. Another German trick has been to drop life-sized dummies instead ot men with the object presumably ol misleading search parties, but the public vigilance seems to be equal to- these practices, and to-dav’s Belgian communique said that German parachutists who landed round Brussels were nearlv all captured or killed. In the Netherlands, too, the rounding up of German parachutists and the Nazi “fifth column” goes on. Hundreds of suspects have been arrested >ih Amsterdam. Another Nazi trick in Holland which lias failed lias been to spread rumours that air-raid sirens are out of order. This afternoon the Dutch public were warned about tins by their radio. __ , A military decree at 1 lie Hague tonight forbids people to stand in the streets, and orders that- all doors and windows must be kept closed. I asses and identification papers must be shown at once:’ Any disobedience, o, the decrees may entail the life oh the offenders. The. reason given is that there is serious fear of disturbance or public order at The Hague.