WHEN WINTER COMES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 150, 28 June 1943, Page 5

WHEN WINTER COMES

REAL EFFECT OF RAIDS Reed. 6 p.m. London, June 25. “The Rhinelanderb are the best type of Germans, and should ‘stick it’ better than those of any other place in Germany, but the continual R.A.F. bliti is slowly but surely having its effect,” says the Stockholm torrespondent of the Daily Telegraph. ‘‘Lack of sleep is affecting the efficiency of the factory workers. Breaking point is still some distance away, and there is no active movement to end the war, but morale is likely to become considerably worse when the dreaded winter comes and rain, snow and icy winds begin to go through the roofless factories and the windowless houses in western Germany.’’ Describing the devastation at Elberfeld, which was the R.A.F. target last night. Berlin radio said: “Smoke and flames are still rising from the debris of the destroyed houses. It is a picture of frightfulness and destruction than which nothing more horrifying can be imagine. Never must this be allowed to be forgotten. For many miles before reaching the town we met a stream of homeless refugees, laboriously and painfully dragging themselves along. The nearer we approached the town the more frightful became the picture. The highway was dotted with bombcraters. criss-crossed with splintered trees, just like a battlefield. Biting smoke wafted against us from countless fires. The town itself was covered with debris, glass splinters and rubble. Troops from antiaircraft batteries who had been in action against the raiders a few hours before were i drafted into the town after the ‘all cleat 1 to help extinguish the fires.”