BOMBING OF TOWNS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 229, 4 September 1939, Page 3

BOMBING OF TOWNS

RESIDENTS- SIP PRISED -MANY LIVES' FEARED LUST’ INVASION OF POLAND I TALY DECLARES X EUTR ALIT'Y LONDON, Sept.l. 'The Paris correspondent ol‘ the I'nited Press of America states that the Polish Embassy announced that Germany had invaded Poland at tour points. 'The Polish Embassy in .London said that the towns bombarded were taken completely unawares. “Nobody supposed that there would he 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 tile German flt*et bombarded Gdynia, the Polish port. A German radio announcement declares that Cracow was bombed.. 'The Embassy reports that many lives. iiscludiug 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 from Prussia and Slovakia, tile northern army sweeping towards Miawa, 150 miles north of Warsaw. 'The southern forces are moving up the Czestochowa in high Silesia. Both concertoili infantry drives are supported by artillery and planes. German bombing squadrons attacked Gdynia.

Warsaw reports that air raids started simultaneously at o a.m.»at Westeiplatte. Puck. Dzialdowo and Hotnice. 'The casmditics at Cracow and lvatowics arc stated to be small, but the number is unknown. It is claimed in Danzig that heimwebr attacked Westerplatte, the Polish military base in Danzig harbour. fiat were repulsed. A radio call ordered- the mobilisation of tin* army and the evacuation ol 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 ultimatum, the offensive developing in three directions, firstly from the Eastern Prussian area, secondly towards Silesia and thirdly northwards from Slovakia. An unconfirmed it port states that German troops occupied Danzig.

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

It is announced in Berlin that German troops (Tossedl nil the GermanPolish frontiers in a counter-attack. 'The Gorman Commander. Gicneral Piauchitsoh, in a radio message to the army, said : “Alter 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 oi the Fuehrer.” 'The message concludes: Forward with God few Germany.” A message from Remo states that Italy lias declared her neutrality. A Council of Ministers in Pome decided that Italy would refrain from any military initiative in the conflict between Germanv ami Poland.

From Bucharest comes the news that King Carol -called the Crown Council together-to proclaim Rumania's neutrality. .

A Polish official source informed the United, Press that Poland lias invok-. ed the military alliance with JJritain and asked for aid'.