PATHETIC SCENES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25083, 22 December 1944, Page 3

PATHETIC SCENES

BELGIAN CIVILIANS FRONTIER TOWN EVACUATED There were many heartrending scenes when the German counter-offensive forced us to evacuate a small Belgian frontier town, states Harold Austin, Sydney Morning Herald war correspondent with the United States First Army, in a despatch dated December 20. Those Belgians who could get transport came with us—their third evacuation since IJM0 —but most of them had to stay behind. Before the columns began to trek westward an enemy shell landed in the town and children screamed with fright. An American loud-speaker tiuck toured streets urging civilians to take cover, and apparently calm mothers bravely led their children to shelter. 1 have been watching the American withdrawal Irom several centres. If the Germans hoped to achieve an carlv rout they have been disappointed, because the Americans have fallen back in orderly formations to strong lines in the rear Jews Alarmed For more than 24 hours I have been forward at a point where it was impossible to get out despatches concerning this great battle, but self-contained American units stood fast until thev withdrew according to their own plans and in their own time. The Belgians in a small town where I was billeted had given the Americans n rousing reception, and they were naturally anxious about the treatment lliey would get from the Germans. I saw a .lew and his wife running anxiously along a line of American vehicles pleading to be taken away. "They'll shoot us if they catch us, shouted the man. Most of the vehicles were tilled with troops and supplies and there was no room. The couple were nearly frantic Kventually they were given a place in a ciowded truck and they departed, leav iiU> their personal belongings in the st root. .Men, women and children lined the streets to watch the retiring vehicles. There were pained and anxious expressions on their faces. I entered the small hotel where I had spent a few pleasant evenings and found the elderly proprietress kissing her danghters-in-lnw farewell. The girls bad to leave because their husbands were well-known members of the Belgian White Army. Allied Flags to Stay Around the walls ol the hotel were the paper flags of Great Britain, America, Russia and Belgium. I asked Madame if she w.-.s going to take them down. "I'll never take those down for the Boche," she replied ' stood up to them in 1915 and 1940, and I'm not going to be frightened now." While the girls were preparing to leave in ml am e continued to serve cocnac —with a smile and at the usually exorbitant price. The Germans were reported to be held at a point seven miles from the town, and I, in company with two other war correspondents, arranged to stay the night at the hotel to see how the battle developed. Madame brightened immediately at the prospect, of company and snid, "W'c must have dinner and drinks together You'll be hack in a few days, but we must say an revoir." It was the first time anything had moved madame to put "one on the house." I went out into the street and found the local caricaturist touring the shops to recover some of his art. When the Americans arrived he had drawn a caricature of Hitler and had signed his name, and copies were being well displayed. He was taking every precaution to see that they were not found by the Germans. Flying Bomb Attack Later, the Belgian police released 27 persons who had been imprisoned for collaborating with the Germans. During the night German pianos bombed the town and the sky for miles was alight with flashes of field guns. Overhead (lying bombs passed in an almost continuous stream directed toward our rear echelons. With the approach of dawn the sound of gunlire approached closer and American tanks rumbled through the streets, moving to sounder positions It was time to go. so we joined a column of army vehicles and a few civilian cars and passed groups of civilians who, on foot., were making their way back to places safe from the Germans. SWISS BORDER GERMAN PREPARATIONS I/OX DON', Dec. !>() Gangs of impressed labourers are now working to convert the German town of Constance, on the Swiss border, into a strongly fortified centre. One explanation for this action is that the Russians, after conquering Austria, will march through Swiss territory to attack Germany. Pillboxes are being constructed, mines laid, trenches dug, and barricades thrown across the streets. Similar activity is reported elsewhere in the Lake Constance area. Kvacuees from Baden, with baggage limited to 601b. are being sent by .special trains to Wurtemberg and Bavaria. Proclamation* have been issued warning the public of the severest penalties for anyone refusing to harbour them. ASYLUM REFUSED MESSERSCHMITT OFFICIALS LONDON, Deo. 'JO German frontier guards have arrested two directors of the Mosserschmitt aircraft factory at Augsburg, who wore refused entry into Switzerland on Saturday as refugees on tho ground that their lives were not endangered. One of them, it is reported, is Prolessor Willy Mosserschmitt. head of the firm. They told the Swiss authorities they were still in sympathy with the Nazi regime, but were fleeing Germany because they feared the consequences to themselves of the collapse of the regime, which was now inevitable. Under strong guards, the prisoners wero taken to Baden and handed over to the Gestapo. Their wives also were taken into custody, but their five children were admitted to Switzerland and interned. NOTED MUSICIAN'S TOUR SYDNEY, Dfr. 20 The conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Ernest MacMillan, will tour Australia next, year under the management of the Australian Broadcasting Commission.