GAS WARFARE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25208, 24 April 1943, Page 5

GAS WARFARE

GERMAN PREPARATIONS A WARNING FROM BRITAIN (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Apl. 22. A statement issued from No. 10 Downing street says: “ Reports are being received from several sources that Herr Hitler is preparing to use poison gas on the Russian front. Accordingly, his Majesty’s Government takss an early occasion to renew the Prime Minister’s warning of last year, namely, that any use of poison gas against its Russian allies by the Nazis or their satellites will immediately be followed by the fullest possible use of this process of war upon German munition centres, ports, and other military objectives throughout Germany. “British resources and the scale of delivery have greatly increased since last- year,” the statement adds. “ The necessary precautionary measures against reprisals have already been enjoined by the competent authorities throughout the United Kingdom." A Soviet Embassy official told the Daily Mail: “We passed on to the British Foreign Office the information that supplies of poison gas had recently reached the German armies on the Russian front.” Mr Churchill’s warning that any use of poison gas by the Nazis against the Russians will be immediately followed by the British use of £jj<?s against Germany was given in a broadcast last May. After 24 hours’ silence the German radio then said that Germany would abide by the pledge given at the outbreak of the war, namely, that Germany would not use poison gas unless the enemy used it first.