“NERVE WARFARE”

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21199, 23 August 1940, Page 5

“NERVE WARFARE”

TREATMENT OF PARACHUTISTS DETERMINATION OF BRITAIN READY FOR INVADERS (United Prees Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrig-ht) LONDON, August 21 An earlier report from Germany that serious reprisals would be taken against members of the Royal Air Force if German parachute troops in uniform were not treated in Britain in conformity with the rules of land warfare is regarded by the British press as rather a German effort at “nerve warfare” to unsettle the British public by the suggestion of the imminent arrival of parachutists. It is generally agreed that there is no reason why such troops in appropriate uniform should not be treated exactly as other military units, the main problem being their possible appearance, as* on the Continent, in a variety of disguises, when the ordinary rules of warfare would not be applicable. The Manchester Guardian says: “One peculiar hardship of parachutists, of their own choice, is that they will find it difficult to surrender in mid-air. If they are shot while in the middle of an aggressive descent, this end to their endeavours can hardly be held against the defenders. “It is strange that Germany, while appealing to the ordinary rules of war for her parachutists, should describe Britain’s Heme Guard as ‘murder bands’ and promise them all kinds of penalties. Germany should be grateful to this fine, disciplined body of men here, waiting prepared and able to take care of her parachutists as they land.”