STRANGE SCENES IN HANOVER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 86, 12 April 1945, Page 5

STRANGE SCENES IN HANOVER

PEOPLE LINE STREETS | Recd. 6 p.m. London, April 10. ' ' The taking of Hanover was described by a British United Press corres--1 pondent in a message from Hanover, 1 late to-night. He says thousands of 1 Germans lined the streets as the 1 Americans entered the city early in the morning on captured German ' vehicles, but not a single white flag was seen. This was the result of a warning issued by the gauleiter of Hanover a few days ago that “whoever hoists a white flag will be shot.” The people ignored posters plastered throughout the city, saying. “The nation springs to arms.” While tanks ! were exchanging shots this morning I civilians flocked into the streets to 1 watch. One soldier said, “It makes I you feel silly, crouching around trying | to get a shot at a sniper while civil- ■ ians pedal past on bikes and women and children go along just watching.” FOOD SHOPS LOOTED* ! Starving Russian slave workers from railway yards and factories broke open food shops when they were released Iby the Ninth Army troops. German I shopkeepers appealed frantically to • the American troops, and the Amerii cans replied, “Jusj what you did in : Poland, France, and Greece,” and the Russians went on scrambling into the shop windows to clutch great tins of biscuits. I A “Dailv Express” correspondent , savs that 200 American infantrymen, with fewer than ten casualties, look Hanover, with its present population of 250 000. plus 60,000 slave workers and 300 British prisoners. The Germans have lost 1000 prisoners so far, including three generals. The correspondent adds that the only undamaged building he saw was the Town Hall.