THE CAMPAIGN IN POLAND

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20911, 16 September 1939, Page 8

THE CAMPAIGN IN POLAND

SYSTEMATIC DESTRUCTION BOMBARDMENT OF OPEN TOWNS NAZI COMMUNIQUE : SUCCESSES CLAIMED (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 16,. 12.30 p.m.) l r lP r ' WARSAW, Sept. 15 A Polish communique states that the German bombardment of open towns has assumed the character of systematic destruction of all built-up areas and cities not connected with military objectives. BERLIN, Sept. 15 A communique states: “German troops successfully withstood a desperate Polish attempt to break through the region at Kutno. “Our troops continue to approach the Warsaw suburb of Praga, from the north-east and from the south-east. “Several unsuccessful attempts were made to pierce our lines. Our troops, marching towards Brestlitovsk, penetrated the city’s fortified zones from the north. Some forts were blown up, but the citadel is still holding out. “In Polish Galicia we captured the oilfield at Jaslo Boryslav, after successfully turning fortifications at Przemysl.” The German right wing south of Lwow continued the advance with motorised units toward Hordenka in an attempt to close the Polish-Rumanian frontier and cut off the retreat of the Polish armies. Reports indicate that the Polish line along the Carpathians has been turned as far as Stanislawow.

REFUGEES GUNNED SEVERE FIGHTING EVERYWHERE BRAVE AND RESOLUTE POLES WAR NOT A WALKOVER {United Press Assn.—Fee. TeL Coovnrnt) LONDON, Sept. 15 German aeroplanes are still sweeping the main roads ot Eastern Toland. says a message from Warsaw. They machine-gunned a thousand refugees who were struggling westward in the wake of the retreating Polish Army before the oncoming invaders. Owing to air attacks the Polish Government his moved from Krzemieniec to Zaleszozyki on the Rumanian border. The Polish Army's night communique admits that the German forces, after crossing the Narew River, reached the outskirts of Bialystok, where severe fighting is going on. Heavy fighting is also in progress south-east of Warsaw, where the Poles claim to have annihilated a whole German Infantry regiment. They also claim to be successfully resisting heavy German attacks on Lwow, capturing 10 tanks and one armoured car and bringing down several German bombers, A German wireless commentator stated it would be a mistake to think the German Army has an easy task in Poland. The war is not a walkover. The Germans are fighting a brave and resolute enemy. The German victories are the result of leadership and strategy employed by the German Army. BITTER FIGHTING THI DEFENCE OF LWOW GERMANS FORCED BACK (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 16, 11 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 15 The United Press correspondent at Zaleszckyki says that Polish troops, reinforced by heavy artillery, are fighting bitterly in the defence of Lwow, compelling the motorised columns which had reached the outskirts to fall baok. Polish sources state that 20,000 civilians have been killed in air raids on Lwow. BRUTAL NAZIS SANATORIUM BOMBED SIXTY CHILDREN KILLED .{United Press. Assn—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 16, 11 a.m.) VILNA, Sept. 15 A radio broadcast states that 60 patients were killed when German planes bombed the children’s sanatorium near Warsaw. AMERICAN ATTITUDE EFFECT OF SUBMARINE RAIDS NEUTRALITY REVISION LIKELY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 Th© White House spokesman indicated that the submarine activities and the sinking of the Athenia were the factors which President Roosevelt considered in deciding to call a meeting of Congress. The President might personally present the neutrality revision proposals to Congress.

WARSAW ENCIRCLED TOUGH AND LONG BATTLE SUCCESS OF GERMAN TACTICS STRONG POLISH RESISTANCE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Sept. 14 The Berlin correspondent of the New York Times says the Germans advancing from the north-cast have completed the encirclement of Warsaw. Eighteen Polish divisions, trapped north of Ostrow and Mazowieckie, near the Narew River, laid down their arms yesterday. Five Polish divisions and two cavalry brigades arc still holding out around Kutno, fighting the toughest and longest battle of the war so far. They are cut completely off and cannot be expected to resist much longer. Thus, at the close of the second week of the war, Germany has completed the first stage of the campaign. It is estimated that between 20 and 25 Polish divisions have been either captured or destroyed. An unbroken German line has been established across Poland from Lithuania to the Polish Ukraine. It Is in the marshes beyond Brest Litovsk and Lwow (Lemberg) that Poland has' the best chance of making a last stand. Fierceness and Determination The fierceness and determination of the Polish resistance Is proved by the stand made at Gdynia and Kutno. The very speed of Germany’s advance, if repeated In the east, might give Poland a chance to isolate German troops In the swamps, where the Poles have been trained to fight. The correspondent of the HeraldTribune, reporting by telephone from, the Rumanian-Polish border, says the situation of the Polish army has grown graver. The Germans are pressing the Poles in three directions, and threatening to cut them off from their base on the right bank of the Vistula around Lublin. Fearing a flank move by the Germans in the southern section, the Polish Government has left Luck Krzemieniec and moved to Zaleszcyki, on the Rumanian border. There are unconfirmed reports that Marshal Bmlgly-Rydz has resigned the command of tho army, giving over power to General Sikorski, who Is considered one of the ablest of the Polish generals. It is stated Gdynia has not suffered from bombardment. The electrical and water plants arc intact. The shops are closed and the population has been without food for two days. Ninety hostages, in addition to the Mayor, have been taken. Rain Will Hamper Germans It is emphasised here that the Poles report rain to be falling in many areas in the last 48 hours. Hitherto, the Germans have been favoured by the weather, which enabled armoured columns and motorlled troops to make progress across plains which are quagmires in the rainy season. INCREASE IN FREIGHTS THE TRANS-PACIFIC SERVICE BRITISH, AMERCIAN, JAPANESE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 16, 11 a.m.) HONGKONG, Sept. 15 British, American and Japanese shippers have announced an increase of 20 per cent in the trans-Pacific ifreight rates from October 1, due to the reduction of available commercial yessels.