GERMAN TERROR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25431, 12 January 1944, Page 3

GERMAN TERROR

NEW PHASE IN POLAND THOUSANDS OF VICTIMS (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 11. The latest news from Poland shows that tens of thousands more Poles have been victims of the new phase of German terror, which began last October, said the Polish Minister of Home Affairs, M. Anaczyk, broadcasting. No fewer than 617 persons were publicly executed in Warsaw up to December 10, and 596 were executed in Cracow to December 5. The same thing was happening throughout Poland. The murders were carried out under the cruellest conditions and generally in the busiest thoroughfares. The victims’ hands were tied. They were also gagged because many Poles shouted “ Long live Poland ” before execution. A few hours after the executions notices are stuck on walls, announcing the names of the dead hostages and the names of new hostages, with the threat that they will be shot if anti-German action occurs. There has been an increase in street manhunts. , The Germans seize the populations of whole districts and deport then\ to Germany for forced labour, where there is danger from the R.A.F. raids. The greatest new wave of terror started when the Soviet armies were approaching the Polish frontier. It was meant to be punishment for the Poles and also to serve to break Polish resistance and underground action in the rear of the German armies on the eastern front.