The Southland Times. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1940. The Nazis Make a New Blunder

Southland Times, Issue 24232, 16 September 1940, Page 4

The Southland Times. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1940. The Nazis Make a New Blunder

THE NAZIS have repeatedly blundered in their estimation of the British character. Their first and largest mistake was in believing the old story of national decadence. With an equal blindness they set out to crush the spirit of the British people by a sustained terrorism. And on Friday they made a new and major blunder by carrying out a deliberate bombing of Buckingham Palace. Apparently they have adopted the theory that, if the King and the Government can be driven out of the capital, there will take place a wholesale' evacuation of citizens, accompanied by a swift demoralization throughout the country. This is not the first time that German pilots have been sent on murderous missions against the rulers of nations. The escapes of King Haakon of Norway, and of Queen Wilhelmina of Holland, are still fresh in the public memory. They aroused indignation in every part of the world where men are still free to express opinions. But in Britain the latest outrage will arouse more than indignation. The loyalty of Englishmen needs no stimulus, for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth have become much more than symbolical personages: they have gained the affection and admiration of their people. Thankfulness at their escape will be inseparable from a profound anger against the barbarians who attempted to destroy them. It is doubtful if anything else could have strengthened the public morale more effectively. At a single blow the Nazis have exploded the illusions which | their propagandists have been building up for English radio listeners. They have shown, in the very heart of London, the cold-blooded lack of humanity which allows them to make a tactical use of refugees, which allows German airmen to shoot English pilots while they are descending by parachute, and even to prevent the rescue of their own comrades who are drowning within reach of British launches. The enemy is now making few attempts to hide the real nature of his character and of his designs against Britain. He has shown himself to be incapable of mercy: the brutality of the system which has brought Europe into bondage is now being used without pretence to crush a nation that blocks his pathway to world domination. During the past week the peoples of the British Dominions have watched, with sympathy and admiration, the stoical conduct of Londoners in their long ordeal. The bombing of Buckingham Palace was not needed to complete the unity of the Commonwealth, for it was already absolute. But it has left everywhere a desire to give still greater support to the common effort. And it has added something to the general mood which may cause the Nazis some moments of surprise and dismay before, in Mr Churchill’s words, they are “burnt out of Europe.”