TOLL OF POLISH LIFE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 208, 4 September 1939, Page 5

TOLL OF POLISH LIFE

EARLIER STAGES OF ATTACK RETREAT TO PREPARED POSITIONS RAIDERS ENDEAVOUR TO SMASH VISTULA BRIDGES LONDON, Sept. I. The first official radio announcement stated that Germany was attacking towns in and near the Corridor and Upper Silesia, striking- the Corridor on the east from Dzialdowo and on the west from 60 miles of Danzig'. Germany also was attacking- the defences of Mlawa. Fighting had started in Danzig. The Warsaw correspondent of the Associated Press of America said that German war planes raided the centre of the city at 4.30 p.m., dropping- bombs. Four previous attempts failed. The raiders were apparently trying to smash the Vistula bridges. Bombs were dropped two blocks from the American Embassy. Low clouds temporarily protected Warsaw. A later message stated that the Polish Embassy in London reported that many lives, including those of women and children, had been lost in the air raid on Warsaw. The Polish Kmbassy in London also stated that the towns bombed were taken completely unawares. "Nobody supposed there would be. war without a declaration. They have bonibed our cities,” the Embassy stated. The. Warsaw correspondent of the llritish I’nited Press reports that the fourth air-raid warning came at 2.4(1 p.m., when citizens calmly ami speedily sheltered. Ten minutes later the heavy thuds of anti-aircraft guns were heard in the west. Apparently the air defences were sufficient, because the raider oi-l-aiders were driven off before citizens heard the engines. The "all clear” signal was sounded at 2.57 p.m. Communication with Warsaw has been suspended except by radio. .I’T'oni Helsinki it. is reported that, about 5(1 planes partieipateil in the. bonibing of Katowice. It is very difficult to obtain reliable aeeounls of the lighting. The reports are. often contradictory and confusing. First Air Raids Not Heavy. A few reports are. coming direct from Poland, the first ioisome hours being from Mr. Edward Beattie, correspondent of the British I’nited Press in Warsaw, who says that the rads on Warsaw appear to have been of a light character, intended Io produce a reaction among the popnlation. which, however, is taking- them very calmly. Germany is carrying out a direct offensive in the. direction of Upper Silesia, which would be most effective in cutting off South Poland and stopping war materials from litimania. It is stated that the offensive is proceeding toward Czestochowa and Drialdowo. The Poles do not believe a big offensive is likely from East Prussia, w here the garrison is believed to be weak. A Warsaw i-orrespondeill of the Associated Press of llreat Britain says it is unofficially reported that Germans bombed Cracow, Matowiee, Czestochowa, and Tezcw. The. Warsaw correspondent of the I’nited Press of America says it is officially announced that Hermans bombed railroad stations and th.ee Polish towns. The .Berlin wireless stat ion announces the first successful air '->.d by a German bombing squadron on Warsaw s military aerodrome at JLidom. Polish officials in London state that nine towns, including Warsaw, were bombed. An unconfirmed report, from Helsingfors stales that the German Heel bombarded tldynia. A message from Paris says that it is understood that the Poles are retreating slowly to prc\ioiisly-prepared positions in I’pper Silesi-i. Poles Repulse Attacks. A Polish Embassy official says that Ihe Poles repulsed attacks on Westerplatte, which is the military base al. Danzig Harbour. ft is thought the Danzig Heimwehr made the attacks. An official message, from Warsaw slates that air attack., are being- continued on Polish cities, the Silesian dci'mices, ami the. ('orridor. Warsaw reports that although sirens were sounded twice and explosions were heard in the capital, they appeared tn be from eight to ten miles to the westward. The raiders were apparently attempting tu blast railways.