HEAVY FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 September 1939, Page 5

HEAVY FIGHTING

POLES STEMMING GERMAN ADVANCE ON .SOUTH-WESTERN t-KUN I . HEROISM OF AIRMEN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright WARSAW. September 7. A communique says that troops are stemming the German advance on the south-western front. The her nc . Westerplatte garrison is still holding out. German manes bombed Warsaw several times, and also troop concentrations. In retaliation Polish planes bombed the enemy’s armoured columns. Germans admit severe fighting in the Lodz district, also west from Tarnow. General Smigly-Rydz issued the order of the day to the Polish air force: “Airmen, you are the front-rank soldiers of Poland. In spite of the enemy’s great ascendancy, you are fulfilling your duties heroically. Poland will remember forever.” FALL OF WESTERPLATTE REPORTED BY GERMANS. WARSAW WEST STATION ON FIRE. ' (Received This Day. 9.45 a.m.) BERLIN. September 7. The War Ministry has .announced that the Polish garrison at Westerplatte (in Danzig Harbour) surrendered at 10.20 a.m.) A communique states that the Warsaw West Railway Station was bombed and is now burning. Bridges south from the capital over the Vistula have been destroyed. , It is officially stated that General Gosiorowski, commander of the Seventh Polish Division, was taken prisoner at Luciabanya. Over 300 Slovak deserters have crossed the frontier. They declare that hundreds who were called up have fled and that Hlinka Guards are watching the frontiers and shooting deserters.

A high command communique says that the army is advancing on Warsaw and Lublin. Forces also passed within a few miles of Lodz.

Those pushing from the south and the west drove back opposing troops from Cracow. The industrial area in eastern Upper Silesia is in German hands. Further north Piotrkow and two adjacent towns have been captured. FINANCIAL AID GIVEN BY THE ALLIES. LONDON, September 7. The Treasury announces that Britain and France have granted a loan of approximately £8.500,000 to Poland to enable her to continue resistance to Germany’s invasion.