NAZI TERROR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24106, 27 October 1941, Page 8

NAZI TERROR

HOSTAGES SHOT NANTES ATROCITY INHUMAN EXECUTION CITIZENS' DEFIANCE By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Reed. 6.35 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. All the horrors associated with Nazi concentration camp murders were reproduced at Nantes at dawn on Wednesday, says the correspondent of the Daily Mail on the French frontier, in a message revealing details of the manner in which the Just 50 hostages were executed for the death of the Nazi regional commander at' Nantes, LieutenantColonel Holtz. The condemned persons were marched out under a heavy guard and formed Tip in a double line. They were made to dig a lone, deep trench as a communal grave for themselves. Neither priest nor chaplain was allowed to tend or comfort the condemned persons in their last hour. The\ were even forbidden to write farewell messages to their families. Clubbed into Submission % Some hostages protested to the last and refused to leave their cells: I lie German police drove litem to the wall with riffe butts and truncheons. When two ranks had been lormed, an officer barked an order, on which it) men were marched to the wall. Another order was given, a volley lojJowed, and the 10 fell. By tens this butchery was repeated until even the nerves of the firing squad were affected. Cruelty persisted even alter death .Relatives were forbidden to place flowers on the common grave. The correspondent adds that the Trench, reacted angrily, bitterly and defiantly. Dawn next day revealed the names of the martyred citizens added to those on the town's war memorial. Three large wreaths of red, white and bine had been placed alongside. It was six hours before the Germans removed them. Workers Refuse Duty No 'workers went down the coalpits in Northern France on Thursday. AH the textile and iron and steel factories were idle and the Renault and Citroen factory employees went on strike. Never has France been so aroused. The Vichy news agency said rumours that Retain wanted to hand himself over as a hostage to prevent the execution of further hostages at Nantes and Bordeaux were neither confirmed nor denied by Government circles. It is revealed from Vichy that the fine of 10.000.000 francs imposed on the citizens of Bordeaux for the killing of a German major was collected on Saturday. Marshal Petain and his Cabinet have approved severe measures for the suppression of attacks against German soldiers, says another Vichy message. The Government is appealing to Germany to halt the reprisals. Effort to Break Silence The emergency law introduced by the Vichy Government provides for the drastic punishment of eye-witnesses and accomplices, or those with information about acts against the German occupation authorities who fail to inform the authorities The measure is intended to break the public silence which protects patriots, in spite of the offer of large rewards. Darlan reported in Vichy that Marshal Petain's efforts "to end these tragic reprisals" had resulted in the Reich Chancellor granting a reprieve. The Germans in Paris announced that three more Frenchmen had been executed for the illegal possession of arms. YUGOSLAVS SUFFER DEATH BY FIRING SQUAD WOMEN AMONG THE VICTIMS (Reed. 6.35 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 25 German atrocities against civilians are not restricted to I'ranee, but are continuing throughout the occupied countries in Europe. The correspondent of the British United Press at Budapest reports that firing squads executed eight people, including three women, at a town near Belgrade for the possession of arms. Eight men and seven women were executed at Zagreb for sabotage and also for distributing Communist literature. According to a Berlin announcement, six more Czechs have been executed at Brno for "high treason." The correspondent of the Times at Istanbul says the Bulgarian Government is expelling practically the entire Greek population of Thrace. Greek properties are being confiscated and distributed among the Bulgarian settlers who are replacing the former owners. It was officially announced earlier from Serbia that 200 more Yugoslavs had been shot as a reprisal for attacks on German soldiers. It is reported from Berne that two were killed and 40 seriously injured when a passenger train was derailed near Allesandria. This is the sixth railway accident in Italy in the last nine days. ENEMY SHIPS SUNK .TOLL IN MEDITERRANEAN SUBMARINES AND AIRCRAFT (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 25 Authoritative naval circles in London have disclosed that during August and September 38 enemy ships were sunkj' 21 probably, sunk and 12 hit in the Mediterranean bv British submarines and naval aircraft. The following successes were scored by submarines in August: Five enemy supply ships and two schooners sunk; and one cruiser, one floating dock_, one liner, one tanker and one auxiliary vessel hit. Naval aircraft sank nine vessels and probably sank a further 11. In September, submarines accounted for three liners, three supply ships, three schooners, two tankers, one auxiliary motorcraft and one sailing vessel sunk, and two supply vessels, one liner, one transport and one minelayer probably sunk. Naval aircraft sank nine 6hij>s and probably sank a further five. In addition, submarines in September hit one liner, one cruiser, one schooner, two supply vessels and two selfpropelled lighters. These successes do not include any vessels sunk or damaged by the Royal Air Force. VALUABLE GIFT RARE SHAKESPEARE FOLIO PRESENTATION TO AMERICA '(Reed. 9.10 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 25 A Shakespeare folio, which was a family heirloom, was handed to the Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. R. A. Butler, at the Foreign Office to-dav by Major F, W. B. Gill and Mrs. Gill, of Boar's Hill. Oxford, to be presented to the Congress Library in Washington. Lord Halifax will present the folio (to the librarian as a gift symbolising the Empire's gratitude to the American nation. Mr. Churchill has written to Mr. Gill jlhanking. him for his patriotic gift.