HITTING BACK

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 196, 21 July 1941, Page 5

HITTING BACK

THE V OFFENSIVE

EUROPE UNITED

(United Press Association —Copyright) (Bee. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, July 20. July 20 will go clown in history as the start of one ot the most amazing- campaigns against tyranny ever carried out in Europe. It is the organised beginning- of the V sign warfare of millions of peoples in the oppressed countries against their Nazi oppressors.

To-night it was revealed that one day towards the end of January Berj lin listeners picked up rrom DonUon : a suggestion that the chalk mark V i coulu ho quickly scribbled, and stood [lor victory. Tne itioa spread like wildfire throughout Europe and Die Gestapo did its best to suppress <t. In Paris alone there Have been 6200 police prosecutions Now, presumably, Dr. Goebbels is congratulating himself on his somewhat b-la.ed “inspiration” oi telling the world that wherever the V sign is io be seen it indicates a belief in a German victory. A Zeesen broadcast, after announc-l ing that the sign could lie seen every-j where on buildings, vehicles, in cinemas. and shops, claims triumphantly \ that “in Paris a gigantic A’ has a]>peared oil the Eiffel Tower”—the same J V ior which people we re ruthlessly j prosecuted. i

Nazi uneasiness over, ihc sign must be intense lor them to imagine that the world will be deceived by such an manoeuvre, or (hat ihc peoples of the occupied countries will refrain from using it if told that it is now regarded as a Nazi symbol—it is more lik ly that they will redouble their energy in lnaking .the V sign, as it is impossible lor the Nazis now to take any action against them.

Such a spontaneous expression of contempt for the Nazi new oidor is evidence of the underlying feeling regarding Hitter and h’s gang throughout the eonntries they fondly hoped to reorganise.

History records that a popular tune known as “Lilliburloro” helped to deprive James If of his throne—the V sign is even easier to repeat than a tune, and the full flood of its effect is a. lomi way from being reached. — Official Wireless.

V ARMY MOBILISES

CALL TO SILENT MILLIONS

RUGBi, Jmy 20. A silent warfare ol millions throughout the German-occupied countries against the Nazi oppressors has begun. As Big Ben ceased striking midnight last night Colonel Britton, in a dramatic broadcast, launched the V campaign. “Mobilisation of tiie V army lias begun,” lie said. He read flic following message for all occupied countries from Mr ! Churchill : “The Y Sign is the symbol i of the unconquerable will in the'oecuj p:ed territories and a portent of the late that is awaiting the Nazi tyranny. As long as the peoples of Europe con-i ! tunic to refuse all collaboration with • the invader it is certain that his cause i will perish and that Europe will be liberated.” | Colonel Britton added: “At this moI ment men and women all over Europe I are dedicating themselves to a continu- ] ation of this war against Nazi Gerj many, till the V is triumphant. In a 1 few minutes there will be millions of 1 new Y’s on walls. doors, and pavej ments, all over Europe. ! “It is dark now. Ir you listen you j may hear distinct bugles sound the V I rhythm, or drums tapping it. Perhaps you -will hear a train whistle sounded by one of your comrades. The darkness is your chance, too Put up your V as a member of that vast V army. Do it during the daytime, too. Tap it out so that your comrades of the V army will hear it, and so that the Germans will hear it also.

“The V army must ho disciplined. When the moment comes it will a-t in such a way that the Gormans will be powerless. But wait for the word. Todnv we sion on. Good luck to you!”— Official Wireless.