AIR RAID VICTIMS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 139, 9 March 1942, Page 5

AIR RAID VICTIMS

National Mourning In France (Received March 8, 8.30 p.m.) VICHY, March 7. There were mass burials today in various suburbs.of Paris of the victims of the R.A.F. raid. National mourning is being observed throughout France. A message from Marshal Petain read at an open-air mass at Boulogne-sur-Seine, stated: "History will judge the criminal aggression of the former ally who has brought death with the coldest resolution to our innocent civilians. There is no law of war and no pretext to justify such bloody hecatombs.” Colonel Britton, broadcasting from London to France, warned that the R.A.F. would again visit France. “We do not want to kill our friends,” lie said. “Keep away from the factories helping Germany. If you are forced to work, demand proper raid shelters, but, better still, keep away. Don’t forget that the R.A.F. pilot is your friend. Keep out of his way.” Two Paris newspapers, commenting on the R.A.F. raid, demand that British subjects in France shall be treated as hostages.

The “Cri du Peuple” further demands that British-owned property on the Riviera shall be handed over to raid victims.

Mourning for the victims of the raid, which began this morning, will end at noon on Sunday. Theatres, cinemas, and other public places will be closed all day today. Services will be held in Notre Dame Cathedral on Sunday.

POSSIBLE REPRISAL Precautions At Gibraltar (Received March 8, 8.30 p.m.) TANGIER. March 7. The newspaper "Espana” states that Gibraltar has adopted important measures for. special defence as a precaution against a possible French reprisal attack for the R.A.F. raid on Paris. Planes are constantly patrolling round the Rock.