DESPERATE DEFENCE

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22812, 11 September 1939, Page 10

DESPERATE DEFENCE

Poles Fight For City INCESSANT AIR RAIDS (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received Sept. 11, 12,45 a.m.) LONDON, September 10.

Dispatches reaching London early this morning from Paris, Budapest, and Warsaw stated that Warsaw was all night the centre of a terrific roar of attacking aeroplanes, the explosions of heavy bombs, and the incessant crackle of machine-gun and rifle fire.

Flames are leaning from buildings set on fire by incendiary bombs, momentarily* lighting up the Polish defenders, who are fighting back gallantly against the Germans massed on the city limits.

Women are reported to have joined the defenders, hurling hand-grenades at the invaders.

Conflicting German and Polish claims in broadcasts continue the uncertainty about Warsaw’s fate, states the Berlin correspondent of the “New York Times.” The Germans have begun to sweep round Warsaw, endeavouring to force its surrender without further struggle. The Germans admit that armoured units have not reached the centre of the city. The Germans declare- that Warsaw will not become a second Madrid, chiefly because civilians are taking part. They are considered franc-tireurs, who will be shot out of hand.

From Budapest it is reported that the Warsaw radio announced that all assaults were turned back. Thirty-two German tanks were destroyed.

Men and women announcers were heard through an almost constant wail of air raid warnings. “It doesn’t matter if the bombs destroy the old Grand Theatre—it ought to have been demolished long ago, was one good-humoured observation.