WARSAW'S FATE IS NOT FOR LONDON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 233, 1 October 1940, Page 7

WARSAW'S FATE IS NOT FOR LONDON.

DEFENCES INTACT.

12 Months Since Poland Was Overrun.

British Official Wlrele*.

;Recd. 1 p.m.)

RUGBY, Sept. 30.

In a statement issued on the anniversary of the capture of Warsaw by the Germans the Polish Ministry of Information compares the ruthless and systematic destruction of the Polish capital by the Germans after its defences had been overwhelmed with resistance to similar terroristic attacks on London backed by defences which proved themselves more than a match for the German Air Force.

Professor Stronski says: "To-day is the anniversary of tlie entry of German troops into Warsaw. The story of the siege of Warsaw begins on the first day of the outbreak of hostilities, at dawn on SepteinTier I, 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, -which was rejected, the Germans began the systematic destruction of the city by artillery bombardment and air bombing, which lasted without interruption for ten d«ys.

"By September 24 all the public utility services were destroyed. The city lacked water, electricity and gas. Bread became scarce, .and the ammunition was nearly exhausted. But the defenders of Warsaw, aided by the civilian population under the leadership of the heroic Lord Mayor, Stefan Starzynski, fought on.

"Infuriated by the continued resistance, tlie German* increased the intensity of their bombing, and the bombardment, which they maintained for three days, came to a climax on September 27. Next day the Warsaw Command, lacking all means of defence, capitulated. When, on October 2, the German Army entered Warsaw, the capital of Poland was a city of ruins, graveyards, hunger and disease. Warsaw's Defiance. "No one in Poland regrets this destruction. Every Pole knows that the defence of Wareaw 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 lias made its own decision with the same courage which inspired tlie defenders of Warsaw, but —fortunately for the freedom of the world —with incomparably greater advantages and resources than Warsaw had.

"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. The ring of besieging armies had cut off all supplies of food and ammunition. The defences 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 destroyed all public utility services, and the Polish capital had no water, gas or electricity. London Comparison. "London, on the other hand, has all its marvellous defences intact. The city is functioning normally, as the capital of the Empire. Thanks to the might of the British Navy, it can draw unhampered upon the resources of the world. An elaborated balloon barrage is I -otecting the city. The powerful antiaircraft artillery is increasing its strength daily, and the city is plentifull" supplied with food. But, above all, the defences of London can rely r- >n the assured growing superiority of the R.A.F. over the German Luftwaffe.

"Owing to the enormous strength of the British fighter squadrons, Germans can hardly reach London during the day, and during the night they do not dare to fly low enough to cause a* much damage as they did in Warsaw. London may feel secure under the protection of the R.A.F. Every day brings new victories to British Hurricanes and Spitfires.

"Polish fighting pilots are particularly liappy to be able to have their share in the liattle of London. Already the famous Polish squadron, No. 303. has shot down during the month of September over 100 German planes. By i*s successes in the battle of London in September, 1040, the Polish Air Force is repaying the Germans for the tragic fate of Warsaw in 1939."