LONDON RESISTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 305, 2 October 1940, Page 3

LONDON RESISTS

COMPARISON WITH WARSAW. RUTHLESS AND SYSTEMATIC. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDDON, September 30.

In a statemnet issued on the anniversary of the capture of Warsaw by the Germans, the Polish Minister for Information (Professor Stronski) compares the ruthless and systematic destruction of the Polish capital by tho Germans after its defences had been overwhelmed, with tho resistance to similar terroristic attacks on London, backed by defences which have proved themselves more than a match for the German Air Force. Professor Stronski states: “To-day is the anniversary of the entry of the German troops into Warsaw. The story of the siege of Warsaw begins on the first day of the outbreak of hostilities at dawn on September 1, 1939, with the invasion of Poland by the air forces of Germany, without a declaration of war.

“The first air raid on Warsaw took place at 6 a.m.. on September 1, and on September 18, after the German ultimatum to the city to surrender was rejected, there began the systematic destruction of the city by artillery bombardment and air bombing, which lasted uninterruptedly for 10 days. By September 24 all public utility services were destroyed and the city lacked water, electricity and gas. Broad became scarce and the ammunition was nearly exhausted, but the civilian population under the leadership of the heroic Lord Mayor (M. Stefan Stni'zynski) fought on. , “Infuriated by the continued resistance,' the Germans increased the intensity of their bombing and the bombardment, which they maintained for three days, and which came to a climax qn September 27. The next day, the Warsaw Command, lacking all means of defence, capitulated. Then, on October 2, the German Army entered Warsaw, the capital of Poland was a city of ruins,' graveyards, hunger and disease.

“No one in Poland regrets this destruction. ' Every Pole knows tha v t the defence of Warsaw was unavoidable because,, through it, Poland demonstrated before the world her determination to defend her freedom and independence as a nation, just as London demonstrates now the determination of Great Britain to defend her Empire and the civilisation of the whole world. London has made its own decision with the same courage which inspired the defenders of Warsaw, but—fortunately for the freedom of the world—with incomparably greater advantages and resources than Warsaw. London’s Defences Intact. “After three weeks of the present blitzkrieg on London, it is possible to draw a comparison between the two capitals. Warsaw was completely isolated from the outer world. A ring of besieging armies cut off all supplies of food and ammunition. The defence of Warsaw had neither balloon barrage nor, after a few days, an air force. Its anti-aircraft artillery was silenced in the second week of the siege. German heavy artillery had destroyed all public utility services, and the Polish Capital had no water, gas, or electricity. “London, on the other hand, has all its marvellous, defences intact. The city is functioning normally as the capital of the Empire. Thanks’ to tho might of the British Navy it can draw unhampered upon the resources of the world. An elaborate balloon barrage is protecting the city, powerful anti-air-craft artillery is increasing its strength daily, the city is plentifully supplied with food, but, above all, the defences of London can rely upon an assured growing' superiority of the Royal Air Force over the German Luftwaffe. “Because of the enormous strength of the British fighter squadrons the Germans can hardly reach London during the day, and during the night they do not dare fly low enough to cause as much damage as they did in Warsaw. London may feel secure under the protection of the Royal Air Force. Every day brings new victories to the British Hurricanes and Spitfires. - “Polish fighting pilots are particularly happy to be able to have their share in the battle of London. Already the famous Polish squadron, No. 303, has shot down during the month of September more than 100 German planes. By its successes in the battle of London in September, 1940, the Polish Air Force is repaying the Germans for the* tragic fate of Warsaw in 1939.’’