TERRIBLE MASSACRE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20916, 22 September 1939, Page 7

TERRIBLE MASSACRE

GRIM AND TRAGIC STORY RUTHLESS NAZI HORDES WOMEN AND CHILDREN KILLED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 21 Sixty thousand Polish civilian and military refugees have arrived in Rumania, and their descriptions of the retreat before the ruthless Nazi hordes, which were indiscriminately massacring women, children and babies in arms, and pillaging without respect for historic places, make one of history’s grimmest and most tragic stories. Survivors tell of tile destruction of the famous cathedral of St. John at Krzemieniec, one of the most beautiful churches in Europe. Bombs shattered the roof, but a priest continued the service while blazing beams were falling. The Royal castle, containing priceless treasures, was utterly destroyed. Embassy’s Narrow Escape Members of the British Embassy narrowly escaped when they were caught in the streets of Krzemieniec during a bombing raid on Thursday. All fell on their laces and none was harmed, in spite of havoc on all sides, it was this raid which caused the decision to leave Poland. The British Consular Corps were the last to leave. Sir Howard Kennard, the British Ambassador, remained until Colonel Beck, the Polish Foreign Minister, almost ordered him to go. The Embassy party travelled by car. Train journeys to the frontier were one long horror. The Germans repeatedly bombed the trains. Several refugees became demented because of lack of water and sleep and the continual German attempts to destroy the carriages. The trains were forced to travel at a snail’s pace because of shortage of fuel. A Pitiful Sight More than 3000 Polish infantrymen [crossed the Uzosk Pass into Hungary in bitter cold, bearing tales of the terror instituted by roving bands of Ukrainians and White Russians, who are sweeping the countryside. Over 20,000 civilians are taking refuge in Hungary. A most pitiful sight is the scantily-clad children, many of whom the Hungarian soldiers have wrapped in their greatcoats. Poles Retake Buburbs A Warsaw defence army communique says the Polish troops advanced over two miles on the west sector of the city and retook the suburbs of Praga and Wola. They captured many prisoners and three heavy and seven light machineguns. The Polish Light Horse dislodged the entrenched Germans.