BERLIN ADMITS SUCCESS

Southland Times, Issue 24686, 6 March 1942, Page 5

BERLIN ADMITS SUCCESS

RAID ON RENAULT WORKS LONDON, March 4. Serious damage was done by the Royal Air Force in its raid on the Renault motor works near Paris. Many fires were left burning. The works are now used to manufacture and repair planes, tanks and other war equipment for the Nazis. Berlin radio quoting a Wilhelmstrasse spokesman said that the raid was the heaviest and most successful mass bombing raid the Royal Air Force has carried out since the outbreak of the war. The latest Vichy estimate is that 650 people were killed in the raid. FRENCH REACTIONS The Free French National Committee in London states: “Parisians arriving in London have without exception emphasized that the population of Paris ardently desired R.A.F. raids against factories and establishments in the Paris zone working for Germany. This opinion is strongly held by workers and their families—namely those whose lives are exposed to the greatest danger.” A statement issued on behalf of Marshal Petain states: “This bloody attack striking only at the civilian population will arouse general indignation and assume the character of a national catastrophe.” Marshal Petain has issued a decree for the observance of a national day of mourning. The bodies have not been removed yet from one shelter which was hit and in which it is believed 180 persons were taking refuge. In Washington Mr Sumner Welles, on behalf of the United States, declared that the bombing of factories under enemy control was entirely legitimate. Because of the use to which the Nazis have been putting the Renault factory it is hoped that the raid will be of material assistance to Russia. The suburbs named by Vichy as having been bombed are closely packed with other factories in addition to those of the Renault Company. German planes bombed these same areas during the Battle of France. This pounding of the war factories in the Paris area may mean that Britain’s bombing policy has been changed. Sir Stafford Cripps hinted in the House of Commons last week that it was under review. OTHER FACTORIES DAMAGED German controlled radios are doing their utmost to extract full propaganda value from the Royal Air Force’s mammoth attack. They are emphasizing the civilian casualties and are giving gory descriptions about extracting bodies from the shelters. The Vichy Minister of State, M. Moyssett, said that the Renault and Salmsbn motor factories and the Farman plane factory were very seriously damaged. Over 100 fires broke out in Boulogne-Sur-Seine, including that at Renault’s, which was still burning. Darlan’s Chef de Cabinet, Captain Fontaine, said that when he left Paris at midday the casualties were estimated at between 500 and 600 killed and 2000 wounded. More were being discovered as the rescue work continued. Captain Fontaine added that the planes flew so low that it seemed they might inevitably hit the rooftops. According to Paris reports R.A.F. leaflets contained the phrase, “We are coming back often.” The raid has left many Paris districts without light.