FRENCH PROTEST

Grey River Argus, 5 June 1942, Page 5

FRENCH PROTEST

At British Raids

“THEY ARE MURDER.”

(Rec. 12.10.) VICHY, June 3. An official French statement here on R.A.F. raids, r says: “After tne constant destruction for the last eighteen, months, of our beautiful Channel, and Atlantic coast towns, the Royal Air Force has now raided the Paris region three times. The pretext for these acts of aggression is that there is need to paralyse factories working for Germany. If this is true, why does Britain reserve her blows for France, alone, among the neutrals that are absorbed in the European order ?” The official announcement says: “These attacks have become more murderous to the civilians than raids to weaken defences. “Britain is anxious to divert attention from her repeated defeats, and to give her Bolshevist partner the impression that she is creating a second front, for which reason she is striking these cowardly blows at her former ally, who is deprived of any means for an immediate reply to such acts. These acts are not in accordance with the laws of warfare. They are murder. “London and Moscow vainly try to foment civil war in France. The French Government will not forget these crimes.” On Wednesday 200 Spitfires and escorting Hurricane bombers swept the Le Treport, Abbeville, and Grisnez area of occupied France. All returned safely. The Hurricanes bombed the railway at Le Treport, from fifty feet. The Spitfires attempted to engage enemy fighters near Abbeville and Grisnez. Although considerable enemy forces were put up, none could be brought near enough for battle. In two sweeps, late in the afternoon, Boston bombers were escorted by many squadrons of Spitfires to attack the docks at Cherourg and Le Havre. Two enemy fighters were destroyed in these attacks, making three for the day. Four R.A.F. fighters are missing in the day’s operations