FRENCHMEN SHOT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24083, 30 September 1941, Page 7

FRENCHMEN SHOT

GERMAN REPRISAL ATTACKS ON TRAINS HARSH RADIO THREATS (Reed. 6.20 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 28 As a reprisal for dynamite attacks on Wednesday night and on Thursday on German convoys and French trains, the Germans shot 20 "particularly active Communists," according to the Paris newspapers. Armed terrorists are alleged to have stolen considerable quantities of explosives on Monday night, and a series of attacks started on Wednesday near the scene of the theft, it is believed, on the railway between Lille and Paris. 61 Frenchmen for Seven Germans It is announced from Vichy that four Germans have been killed in Lille and three killed and six wounded in Paris since August 13. In retaliation the Germans have so far executed 61 Frenchmen, 49 of them in the past 10 days. The Germans sent a threatening message through Radio Luxembourg to former French prisoners of war. "Germany has released hundreds of thouI sands of French prisoners, and some of them on their return home have taken up the dirty work of anti-German proj paganda and become agents of De Gaulle and Communists," said the radio. "Such behaviour does not encourage German clemency. "More Severe Measures" "Measures taken so far are only warnings. For instance, 10 Communists will be shot immediately for every German who is attacked. The curfew imposed on Parisians is another warning. If the French fail to use every means of opposing anti-German propaganda, which will bring misfortune to millions of their countrymen, Germany is determined to take more severe measures. It is for you to decide, Frenchmen, whether you listen to British propaganda with its message of death and revolution, or listen to our voice, which is the voice of freedom." A message from Berne says it is reported from Berlin that a man has been sentenced to death at Nuremberg j for listening to foreign broadcasts. A Pole was sentenced to death at Grudziadz for a similar offence. It is reported from Oslo, Norway, that a fire destroyed the workshops, laboratories and stocks in a saltpetre factory in Telemark Province.

SUPPORT PEACE MOVE PETAIN'S DECLARATION BITTER AGAINST BRITAIN (Reed. 7.15 p.m.) VICHY, Sept. 2S , "I will always be ready to support President Roosevelt in any peace initiative the United States may start, and I know the Pope also wants peace," said Marshal Petain to a neutral correspondent. "When the war ends the United States could make a formidable contribution to peace, provided she stays out of the war and preserves freedom of action. "Britain's relations with France have been a succession of psychological errors for which Britain is to blame. She knew Franee would never use her armed forces against her, and I gave a pledge not to use our aeroplanes, our fleet or our troops against Britain, yet she has attacked and is still attacking us. The Royal Air Force is hammering our northern ports to dust."

SPAIN FAVOURS ALLIES SIR S. HOARE'S REPORT CRITIC'S CAUSTIC COMMENT (Reed. }'2.10 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 29 According to the Daily Sketch, Sir Samuel Hoare, British Ambassador to Spain, who has returned to London, brings good news of a complete swing of Spanish Government opinion» in favour of the Allies. Briefly, he says, Spain will not enter the war. However, one critic says: "If Sir Samuel is no better at prediction than some of his previous diplomatic achievements indicate, it would seem a good tip to the Gibraltar garrison to make haste to man action stations."

BEAUFIGHTERS' SUCCESS COASTAL COMMAND CRAFT LONDON, Sept. 28 The Beaufighter, Britain's latest twin-engined fighter with four cannon and six machine-guns, has for some months been a valuable part of the striking force of the Royal Air Force Coastal Command, says an Air Ministry announcement. The most spectacular success won by a Coastal Command Beaufighter in single combat was when one intercepted a Focke-Wulf Ivondor, which was apparently waiting for a convoy. The fight lasted two seconds. The Beanfighter's pilot opened it with a short burst and before he could take finger off the gun button the enemy machine broke in pieces.