END OF GUERNICA

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 70, 20 September 1937, Page 10

END OF GUERNICA

THE WORK OF AEROPLANES

The August issue of "ie "London Mercury" contains an article by Mr. George Steer which should settle any doubt that may remain regarding the responsibility for the annihilation of Guernica, says the "Manchester Guardian." Mr. Steer was not strictly an eye-witness of that appalling scene, but he arrived soon after the lasb: bomber had departed and heard the story of such of the survivors as could find words to speak. No more horrible story has blackened history. On to that ancient, peaceful town, at marketrtime in the middle of an April afternoon, was let loose the unsparing onslaught of modern aerial warfare. First, the light bombers dropping fifty-pounders and machine-gunning the town at random. Then "a heavy drumming of engines was heard to the east," and the heavy bombers appeared, dispersing their load a tori at a«time. "Besides many fifty and hundred pound bombs, they dropped great torpedoes weighing a thousand," most of them tearing buildings to pieces from top to bottom and penetrating shelters. "As the terrified population streamed out of the town the army fighters dived low to drill them with their guns." This done, the destruction of the town began in. earnest.

It was about five-fifteen. For two hours and a half flights of between three and twelve aeroplanes bombed Guernica ' without mercy and , with system. They chose their sectors in orderly fashion. After the explosive bombs came the incendiary bombs, tubes of two pounds, long as your forearm, glistening silver from their aluminium and elektron casings . . .

these fell many at a time, for they were dropped twenty-four together on a spinning rod.

Before long the whole town was ablaze. "A Meccano framework, at every window piercing eyes of fire. . . . Guernica was finished."