EVACUATION ORDER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 28 June 1943, Page 5

EVACUATION ORDER

SUPERFLUOUS POPULATION IN WEST GERMANY DEVASTATING AIR OFFENSIVE London, June 25. The Allied air offensive is so devastating that the German housing director, Dr. Robert Ley, has ordered the evacuation from western Germany of all superfluous population. The order includes women and children, veteran workers, invalids, and aged and infirm people. The aviation writer of the “Daily Express” estimates that the latest raid on Elderfeld brought the Bomber Command’s total weight of bombs dropped in the Ruhr since the great experimental battle started three and a half months ago to between 25,000 and 30,000 tons. The R.A.F., he says, has lost 532 bombers and more than 3000 air personnel, many of whom must be prisoners of war, but the results have already exceeded expectations. “A mood of grim satisfaction spreads through the nation as the damage wrought by the air bombardments is appreciated,” says the “Daily Express” in an , editorial. “Our satisfaction contains the joy of revenge. It isn’t the R.A.F. policy, but it is with the people. We have suffered cruelly, and still suffer, from bombing. It would be unnatural, to see in the agony of the Ruhr no element of just retribution on the arrogant Germans who launched this air war on the weak and who squeal now when they get it back many times from the strong.” Broadcasting on Paris radio, Jean Paquis declared: “The Battle of the Ruhr has become a second front. The Allied raids on western Europe, particularly the Ruhr, have become so violent that they are no longer an extensive propaganda campaign but a stark reality. The Allies at present speak less about invasion, and it may be presumed that the landing has been called off for some time.. The Allies intend that constant bombing shall force Germany and Italy to submit, but the European fortress is very different from Pantelleria.” HEAVY BARRAGE The Germans last night tried to make a bigger effort than ever to hold off bombers from the Ruhr area. Scores of searchlights and a heavy barrage greeted them. The crews reported that the coast defences obviously had been strengthened. But a far more intense struggle awaited them when they reached the Ruhr on the way to Elberfeld, one of the towns which forms Wuppertal, states the Air Ministry news service. Huge belts of searchlights tried to spotlight the bombers and light and heavy guns plumbed flak through the beams. One pilot was caught in searchlights for 20 minutes when he reached the Ruhr area, and was hit several times before he reached his objective. The Ger-

mans reinforced the defences by sending up many nigh- fighters. Despite all opposition the bombers arrived over Elberfeld on time. Fires were soon started below, and one bomber was hit by incendiaries from above. These fell into the bomb bay and the doors were opened to let them drop out. Elberfeld is slightly bigger than Barmen, the other section of Wuppertal Which was concentrated upon in the previous raid. —B.O. W. and P.A. HOUSING SHORTAGE London, June 26. “The housing shortage is only one of the many problems resulting from British and American raids,” said Dr. Bejir, over Berlin radio. “These terror raids are the topic everywhere, in factories, offices, workshops and barracks alike. Everyone who has seen the ruined streets in the west realises that all the careful planning is completely upset by the extent of the destruction. Emergency and temporary measures must suffice. Nobody will describe them as ideal or perhaps even tolerable according to normal standards. I have seen four and five roomed flats where three and four families are housed. It is becoming more evident that defence measures and the terrible, inevitable reckoning are now among the main preoccupations of our leaders.”—P.A.