POLAND’S PLIGHT

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20909, 14 September 1939, Page 8

POLAND’S PLIGHT

DEATH AND DEVASTATION HORRORB OF MODERN WARFARE STORY BY EYE-WITNESS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 14, 3 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 13 A neutral eye-witness wh’o hns reached Brussels after a tour of the conquered Polish territory paints a frightful picture of death and desolation. Not a single roof is intact in many towns and roads are lined with corpses and wrecked tanks and lorries. Village after village was rendered uninhabitable by the bombing and shelling, after which they were stormed with hand grenades. Miserable refugees, homeless and foodless, wander over the countryside hopelessly, often barefooted and* always ill-clad. The American Press correspondent from “somewhere in southern Poland” reports that Poland is confronted with one of the most harrowing refugee problems of modern times. The words ■fantastic’ and ‘unbelievable’ spring to the mind constantly in witnessing now modern war disrupts a nation's life. It is impossible to keep track of individuals in this kind of warfare. The final list of those unaccounted for will be staggering. It Is the children who moat effect the emotions of an observer. HITLER IN POLAND GENERAL IN FRONT LINK POLISH GOVERNMENT’S PROTEST (United Pres, Aim. —Elec. Tel. Copyright). (Received Sept. 14, 1 pen.) BERLIN, Sept. 13 General von Brauchitsch hat Joined the German troops in the front line near Radom, where llerce lighting la reported. It appears that Harr Hitler visited Lordz, not Lodi. A communique say, the visit was an agreeable surprise to the troops and population. It is also stated that unfavourable weather conditions are now developing. WARSAW, Sept. 13 The Polish Government lias drawn the attention of the Governments of all civilised States to the bombing of open towns in Poland, stating that it has been carried out systematically on places possessing no military importance. Poland also states that Germane dressed In Polish uniforms are landing by means of parachutes behind the lines and acting as a lift li column. BERLIN, Sept. 13 Herr Hitler will return to Berlin at the week-end. SIGNIFICANT MOVE SOVIET MERCHANT SHIPS ORDERED TO HOME PORTS (Units* Prsss Assn.—Ciso. Tsl. Copyright) (Received Sept. 14, 11 a.m.) PARIS, Sept. 1S Radio report# have been received from Moscow that all Soviet merchant ships on route to England have been ordered to their home ports.^ GERMAN FORCES CALL ON MIDDLE-AGED MEN i ‘ YOUNG MEN LACK TRAINING 1 i (I’nlied Press assd.—Elec. Tel. Copyright),

AMSTERDAM, Sept. 12 Men aged 47 and 48 have been called up for military service in Gennany. The reason given by the Nazis it that younger men lack the necessary military training, and that their removal from industry is also liable to upset the economic life of the country. COMPLAINTS BY VETERANS INTENDED BY HOME DEFENCE YOUNGEIR MEN SHOULD GO l United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 14, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 13 The Ministry of Information communique states that Gennany hat already drafted men aged 41 to 53 years belonging to the Landwehr clast. These veterans are complaining that many younger men should be called up lirst. The Landwehr is a second line class, primarily intended for homeland defence. It corresponds to the French territorial army. NEW ZEALAND UNIT WAR WORK IN (VDNFV iUntied E*reßß A*sn —Elec. TeL Copjrrlfbt) SYDNEY, Sept. 11^ At a well-attended meeting of Ntp Zealanders resident in Sydney, It wh* derided to form a New Zealand war unit to undertake war work iu feydney.