FIGHTING IN POLAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 September 1939, Page 5

FIGHTING IN POLAND

REPORTS CONTRADICTORY RAIDS ON WARSAW POPULATION REMAINS CALM. THREAT TO UPPER SILESIA. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received This Day. 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, September 1. It is most difficult to obtain reliable accounts of fighting. Reports are often contradictory and confusing. Few are coming direct from Poland, the first for some hours being from Mr Edward Beattie, British United Press Correspondent at Warsaw, who says the raids on Warsaw appear to have been of a light character, intended to produce a reaction among the population, which, however, is taking it very calmly. Germany is carrying out a direct offensive in the direction of Upper Silesia, which will be most effective in cutting off South Poland and stoppingwar materials from Roumania. It is stated that the offensive is proceeding to Czestochowa and also to Dzialdowa. The Poles do not believe a big offensive is likely from East Prusia, where the garrison is believed to be weak. There are reports of further raids on Gdynia. Vilna and the Silesian mining districts. POLES RETIRING FALLING BACK ON PREPARED POSITIONS. (Received This Day. 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 1. The British United Press reports, from Polish sources, say the Polish Army is falling back slowly on defence positions in Upper Silesia previously prepared. MANY LIVES LOST AIR RAIDS ON WARSAW. (Received" This Day, 8.30 a.m.) . LONDON, September 1. The Polish Embassy reports that many lives, including those of women and children were lost in the Warsaw air raid. It was stated that the towns bombed were taken completely unawares. “Nobody supposed there would be a war and without a declaration they have bombed our cities.” GERMAN STORY TALK. OF “COUNTER-ATTACK.” (Received This Day 8.30 a.m). BERLIN, September 1. The supreme command has announced that the Germans crossed all frontiers in a counter-attack. An airarm has also come into action.” General Brauchitsch, in a radio message to the army said: “After other means failed weapons must decide. As successors to the proud tradition of the old army the Nazi army is now taking over the defence of Germany. We fight under the supreme command of the Fuehrer. The message concluded; “Forwards.with God for Germany.", NINE TOWNS BOMBED HOSTILITIES .ON ALL FRONTS. (Received This. Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, September 1. The Polish Embassy states that it has received information indicating “hostilities on all fronts.” Polish officials in London state that nine towns, including Warsaw, have been bombed. An unconfirmed report from Helsingfors states that the German fleet bombarded Gdynia. A German radio announcement declares that Cracow was bombed. A message from Paris says it is understood that the Poles are retreating slowly to previously prepared positions in Upper Silesia. Warsaw reports that air raids started simultaneously at 5 a.m. on Westerplatte, Puck, Dzialdowo and Otnice. The casualties al Cracow and Katowice are stated to be few, but the number is unknown. '■ ‘ JE '- II is claimed that Danzig Heimwehr attacks on Westerplatte, the Polish military base at the Danzig Harbour, were repulsed. Mobilisation and the evacuation of the principal Polish cities are ordered by radio. A message from Berlin states that Polish artillery shelled the railway station at Beuthen. WIDESPREAD ATTACKS (Received This Day, 8.30 a.m.) WARSAW, September 1. An official radio announcement stated that Germany is attacking towns in and near the Corridor and in Upper Silesia, striking the Corridor east from Dzialdowo and west from 60 miles from Danzig. The Germans also attacked the defences of Mlawa. Fighting has started in Danzig. There is no announcement of bomb damage. Low clouds temporarily protected Warsaw. CORRIDOR DEFENCES REPORTED UNDAMAGED. RAILWAYS NEAR WARSAW BOMBED. (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.) WARSAW, September 1. It is officially stated that air attacks are continuing on cities in Silesia. The defences of the Corridor are now stated to have suffered no damage and there are no casualties. Although sirens sounded twice, explosions -heard in the capital appeared to be eight or ten miles to the west. The raiders were apparently attempting to blast railways. It stated that there are heavy troop movements from East Prussia towards the frontier. “STATE OF SIEGE” PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT FRANCE. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) PARIS. September 1. Martial law has been proclaimed and also a state of siege throughout France and Algiers. The Chamber of Deputies is being summoned, probably tonight. The first day of mobilisation will be tomorrow.