HOSTAGES SHOT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 162, 22 April 1942, Page 3

HOSTAGES SHOT

ST. NAZAIRE RAID SEQUEL. REPRISAL FOR ACTIVITY SUB-PREFECT’S FIRM STAND (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright). (Rec. 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, April 21. A Vichy message states that the Germans executed 20 more hostages at St. Nazaire as a further reprisal for French activity during the recent raid by the British. The Germans asked the French subprefect of St. Nazaire to name 20 townsmen for shooting. The sub-pre-fect refused and the Germans picked their victims, including M. Blanchard, a prominent trade union leader.

DERAILMENT OF TROOP TRAIN, F.XECUTI ONS AS R EPRISPAL. (Rec. 0.40 a.m.) LONDON, April 21. The German occupation authorities announced, says the Paris radio, that “a fast train reserved for the German Army was derailed on the AmiensCherbourg line last Thursday. As a result -of a criminal attempt, causing deaths and material damage,” for which reason they have ordered that in future fast trains reserved for the German Army will carry French civilians, whoever commits an attempt against railway installations will thus endanger the lives of his compatriots. Furthermore, the following reprisals have been ordered in the Calvados Department. Earlier curfew, beginning at 7.30 p.m. and ending at 6 a.m.; restaurants and cafes closed at 6 p.m.; all entertainments closed, sports and other demonstrations forbidden; immediate execution of 30 Communists, Jews and persons belonging to the circles responsible for the derailment. Also, if the guilty are not identified within three days after publication of this announcement, 80 people will be executed and 1000 Communists, Jews and others responsible persons will be removed to labour camps.