CIVILIANS KILLED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 309, 9 October 1943, Page 3

CIVILIANS KILLED.

TIME-BOMBS AT NAPLES. POST OFFICE AS BOOBY TRAP LONDON, Oct. S. Many civilians were killed by timebombs which exploded in the Naples post office yesterday. An entire section of the post office collapsed after the explosion, burying the victims in debris. The casualties included soldiers. A correspondent representing the combined British press describes the mining of the Naples post office by the Germans before they left a week ago as one of the war’s greatest atrocities. Delayed action mines planted in the basement contained several hundred tons of high explosive. Scores of Italian civilians, including many women and children, were blown to pieces as the whole pavement in the Via Armonda Diaza, in front of 'the post office, was flung into the air. Almost everybody on the ground floor of the post office was killed. In addition many persons walking in a street a block away, and persons in adjoining buildings, were killed. The explosion occurred at the busiest time of the day, when hundreds of Neapolitans were visiting the post office and endeavouring to communicate with relatives and friends in districts occupied by the Allies. The post office was the only building in Naples the Germans left intact, after converting it into an immense booby trap. The Neapolitans’ reaction is one of fierce' resentment against the Germans. They have worked ' them : selves up into a state of hysteria and are calling for vengeance against their former allies,