RETREAT IN THE SOUTH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 September 1939, Page 5

RETREAT IN THE SOUTH

A report from lhe southern front states that the Poles are executing a strategic retreat, concentrating behind the hills on the Cracow-Katowice line, where the first big battle is expected. The Germans occupied Pybnik, Teschen and Frystat and reached the suburbs of Katowice. They are pouring in by the Moravian gate in an endeavour to cut communications between Katowice and Cracow. Five main sectors are at present distinguishable in the German offensive, according to the Warsaw correspond.ent of “The Times.” The objective of the attacks on the Pomeranian front is Torun. Other attacks are being launched from a few miles east of Grudziaz and slightly north of Chodziez. There are two drives from Zbazyn (reported to have been recaptured by the Poles) and Leszno, and an offensive from Kepno threatens Lodz. Planes from Slovakia bombed Lwow (also called Lemberg or Leopol) in Galacia. .Apparently both sides are feeling their way, neither rushing to obtain a speedy decision. There is no sign yet of the vaunted Blitzkrieg (lightning war) with the supposed intention to push forward regardless of cost. MANY CIVILIANS KILLED Air raids on the Polish civilian population killed 1500 men, women and children on Saturday alone, said the Polish Ambassador, 'M. Raczynski, in the course of a Press interview at the Embassy. He added that there wa6 scarcely a township that had not suffered from aerial attack. German aeroplanes for the first time used gas on Wolbrom, a small town in Western Poland. Warsaw radio warned the. public that German planes are dropping poisonous chemicals. It is officially., stated., that 200 people were killed in the course of the bombing of Bydgoszcx on Friday and Saturday. The . Germans parachuted a number of troops behind the lines in order to cut telephone wires and i blow up bridges. The Warsaw correspondent of “The Times" says that the air bombardments. though accompanied by violation of open towns, seem to be confined to military objectives. The bombard-

ment of a pleasure resort at Otwock, 18 miles from Warsaw, was determined by the existence of military establishments but resulted in the massacre of a number of consumptives.