BOMBING OPEN TOWNS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23953, 31 October 1939, Page 11

BOMBING OPEN TOWNS

NAZI RADIO “EXPLANATION” BRITONS AND POLES ACCUSED A statement broadcast by the German wireless in English on September 15 denied that the German Army order for the bombing and shelling of open towns and villages in Poland was in contradiction of Hitler’s undertaking not to attack non-military objectives and civilians, reported the London Daily Telegraph. The meaning of the German order was said to be as follows: “The German Army will in future continue to abstain from the bombing of open places if the towns and villages and their civilian populations are not used for military purposes. Everywhere where German troops are resisted by civilians this resistance will be broken by militay measures. That is the meaning of the order of the German High Command.” The order,, it was stated, was a “ final warning.” This explanation of the order was given after a violent attack on Mr Chamberlain for having said in the House of Commons that the order was in contradiction to Hitler’s undertaking.

“It is astounding that the English Prime Minister can have the audacity so to falsify the facts,” it was stated. Hitler’s orders to attack only military objectives and spare civilians had been scrupulously observed, the Gorman wireless continued, “even when the military situation required other action.” Proof of this was said to be the undamaged state of towns captured by the Germans.

It was then alleged that the Polish Government had incited “ the most bestial warfare ever conducted” by arming civilians and encouraging them to wage guerrilla warfare against German troops, and generally to resist German troops. “ The results are known throughout the world,” the statement continued, “ especially in the case of the two British Secret Service agents who incited these armed bands to murder over 1000 German citizens in Bromberg. “ Poland and her ally. Great Britain, have therefore violated every law and agreement for the purpose of humanising warfare.” It was also stated that in one village taken by German troops the German soldiers had been cordially welcomed and then murdered in their beds. In another case, it was alleged, German sappers building a bridge had been shot down by civilians from a bouse.

In the House of Commons Mr Chamberlain had stated that Hitler’s threat to bomb open towns was in flat contradiction to the German Chancellor’s announcement in the Reichstag. Adding that the restrictions which Britain, like France, had imposed on the operations of our forces were based on similar restrictions being observed by the enemy, the Prime Minister said: — . . , “ Whatever the length to which others may go., his Majesty’s Government will never resort to attacks on women and children and other civilians for purposes of mere terrorism."